Job Description

GRANT POSITION

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Specialized work responsible for coordinating and implementing all Victim Advocate Unit program activities for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO). Victim Advocates provide first response services to victims of violent and non-violent crimes in Alachua County, conduct victim follow-up, coordinate referrals to other service providers, and assist in criminal justice advocacy. This position requires independent judgment, discretion, and initiative in the performance of the duties required.

Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Trauma Intervention and Special Services (TI&SS) Bureau Chief. Performance is evaluated through observation, oral/written reports, conferences, results obtained, and appropriate employee performance appraisals.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

(15%) Assistance with Victim Compensation:

• Provide information to victims of the availability of crime victim compensation
• Assist victims in completing required forms and needed documentation

(25%) Information & Referral:

• Provide victims with information about the criminal justice process and victim rights including how to obtain notifications, referrals to other victim service programs, and referral to other services, supports, and resources (including legal, medical, and faith based organizations, address confidentiality programs, etc.)

(20%) Personal Advocacy/Accompaniment:

• Provide victims with advocacy and/or accompaniment to emergency medical care, medical forensic exams, and/or law enforcement interviews
• Provide individual advocacy (assistance in applying for public benefits, return of personal property), immigration assistance (UVISA, I-918, continued presence applications), intervention with employer, creditor, landlord, and/or academic institutions, transportation assistance, and interpreter services when able

(15%) Emotional Support or Safety Services:

• Provide Crisis Intervention (in-person, includes safety planning, etc.), on scene response (community crisis response), and emergency assistance changing windows and/or locks (if funds are available)

(25%) Criminal/Civil Justice System Support:

• Assist and provide advocacy to victims as it relates to the various stages of the criminal justice process, most specifically those related to ACSO case activity
• Provide notification of criminal justice events (e.g., case status, arrest, court proceedings, case disposition, release, etc.), victim impact statement assistance, prosecution interview advocacy/accompaniment, and law enforcement interview and/or advocacy/accompaniment

Other duties may include:

• Coordination of the Victim Advocate on-call schedule
• Document and record data on victims served for VOCA statistical purposes
• Act as a liaison with other public and private service providers in the county
• Research criminal history and DCF history when appropriate
• Secure and maintain their Victim Services Practitioner Designation (Office of the Attorney General)

*This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of specific job function or task does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

May be required to work outside of regular office hours

Be on on-call status routinely

WORK CONDITIONS:

Work conditions may vary. Generally normal office environment and hours. On-call on a regular basis. Will be required to attend some meetings outside of normal office hours. Noise level is generally low.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

[ ] High School/GED

[ ] Associate’s Degree [ ] Preferred

[X] Bachelor’s Degree [ ] Preferred

Preferred Major(s): Sociology, Psychology, or other related field.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Two (2) or more years of experience as a victim advocate preferred
• Experience in crisis counseling/crisis management
• Familiarity with community assistance programs
• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish preferred
• Those who will be earning their Bachelor’s Degree within six (6) months will be considered
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING:

• Current, valid Florida driver’s license
• Complete Victim Services Practitioner Designation training within first year of hire

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit/stand for moderate periods of time
• See and hear at a normal range
• Speak, read, write and understand English fluently
• Ambulate independently
• Lift/carry 25 pounds
• Push/pull light to moderate loads
• Bend and squat
• Manual dexterity
• Drive a vehicle

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Knowledge of counseling techniques, victim advocacy, and crisis management
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local victim/community assistance programs
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances affecting victims and victim’s rights
• Skilled in the use of small office equipment, including copy machines and/or multi-line telephone systems
• Skilled in using computers for data entry
• Skilled in using computers for word processing and accounting purposes
• Skilled in decision-making and problem-solving
• Skilled in conflict resolution and stress management
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Ability to show initiative and not afraid to take reasonable risk
• Ability to work in stressful conditions
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently

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