Victim Services Supervisor

City of Austin•Austin, TX

13h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for supervising and coordinating the daily activities of personnel in support of the Austin Police's Victim Services Counseling Program. The supervisor promotes the development of employees’ clinical skills, therapeutic frameworks, approaches, and modalities through observation, assessment, and evaluation, utilizing supervisory evidence-based techniques to solve problems and implement intervention. They coordinate and monitor daily job assignments of counselors, ensuring adequate staffing levels. The counselors supervised provide crisis counseling, advocacy, justice support, safety planning, and information and referrals to victims and witnesses of crime. The supervisor assigns projects and monitors task completion for accuracy and effectiveness, and assists in determining goals, objectives, and resource requirements for Victim Services programs. In the event of a large scale or critical incident, the supervisor provides incident command leadership and preparedness. This role is part of a unique support service within law enforcement, employing highly skilled professionals with Master’s degrees in a mental health-oriented science. The City of Austin is a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities, grounded in principles of Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity.

Requirements

Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
Knowledge of counseling, theoretical frameworks, and techniques.
Knowledge of mental health issues, trauma, and victimology.
Knowledge of Critical Incident Command.
Knowledge of police operations and investigative procedures.
Knowledge of Victim Assistance best practices.
Skill in oral and written communications.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Skill in planning and organizing.
Skill in trauma and crisis counseling.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to train others.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees, external agencies, and the public.
Graduation with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health-related field.
Five (5) years of experience in clinical mental health counseling and crisis management.
At least one (1) year in a lead or supervisory capacity.
Licensed Social Worker, Professional Counselor, or Marriage and Family Therapist may substitute for two (2) of the required years of experience.
Valid Class C Driver License.
Specific experience and knowledge in mental health issues, trauma, victimology, clinical supervision approaches, operations management/oversight, Critical Incident Command, police operations, vicarious trauma and victim assistance best practices.
Skills such as trauma and crisis counseling, employee development, effective communication and writing skills are necessary.
Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.
No Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions.

Responsibilities

Promotes the development of employees’ clinical skills, therapeutic frameworks, approaches, and modalities through observation, assessment, and evaluation, and utilizes supervisory evidence-based techniques to solve problems and implement intervention.
Determines goals, objectives, and resource requirements for Victim Services programs.
Participates in the preparation and monitoring of the division budget.
Researches and prepares narrative material for grant proposals, annual reports, and other documentation as required and requested.
Provides incident command leadership and preparedness for critical incident scenes and disasters.
Assigns projects, sets schedules, and monitors task completion for timeliness, accuracy, and effectiveness.
Evaluates program effectiveness to develop improved methods.
Provides the required hours of individual and group clinical supervision to employees pursuing Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Professional Counselor licensures.
Conducts media interviews in collaboration with Austin Public Information Office.
Prepares for and testifies in court as a fact or expert witness.
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.