Victim Services Social Worker

City of Garland

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for comprehensive victim advocacy, trauma-informed support, and case management within the Behavioral Health and Resource Unit. Serves as the department’s subject matter expert on victim services and rights; provides non-mental health resource case management assigned by the clinician; and assists with employee wellness and peer support.

Requirements

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, or in a related field, from an accredited college or university.
Three years of related experience in victim advocacy, social services case management, or crisis support.
Valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or ability to obtain one as required by the City.
Meet department background and system-access requirements; complete required peer support and program training.
Knowledge of victim rights, criminal justice procedures, trauma-informed advocacy, crisis stabilization, safety planning, and social service case management.
Knowledge of victim assistance programs and local, regional, state, and federal community resources.
Ability to assess needs, prioritize cases, apply program criteria, develop service plans, and coordinate effective referrals using sound judgment.
Ability to communicate effectively, provide training, maintain professional boundaries, and establish effective relationships with individuals of varied backgrounds and service providers.
Ability to maintain accurate, confidential records and reports; use office and case management software; and recognize issues requiring supervisory, legal, or clinical consultation.

Nice To Haves

Master of Social Work (MSW) degree
Current Texas social work licensure, such as LMSW, preferred.
Experience in law enforcement victim services, community resource coordination, training, or first responder wellness
Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Review referrals and offense reports; assess victim needs and safety concerns; provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and ongoing case management for victims, survivors, witnesses, and affected families.
Educate victims on their rights, investigative and court procedures, and available services. Maintain regular contact, coordinate authorized case updates, and provide court accompaniment on a municipal and county-level and advocacy when required.
Connect individuals with housing, counseling, financial assistance, legal services, medical care, and other related needs; assist with applications and follow up to address service barriers.
Assist with Crime Victims’ Compensation, the Address Confidentiality Program, Protective Order resources, and protective order referrals; coordinate documentation and follow-up with appropriate agencies.
Provide consultation and respond to requests from all department divisions regarding victim rights, trauma-informed response, complex victim cases, crisis support, and community resources.
Manage victim assistance telephone and email accounts; maintain confidential case records, program documentation, service statistics, and required reports. Participate in assigned community partnerships and multidisciplinary meetings.
Manage non-victim, non-APOWW, and non-mental health referrals from Patrol, CID, NPO, SROs, and other divisions as assigned; assess practical needs, develop service plans, coordinate resources, and document follow-up.
Serve as an active Peer Support Team member and assist with wellness initiatives for sworn and civilian employees. Refer clinical needs to designated clinicians or providers; this role does not provide mental health diagnosis or long term therapeutic treatment.