Victim/Witness Advocate - I

Job Description:

Victim/Witness Advocate - I

Description

Introduction

To be included in the first round of interviews, please submit your application by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 9, 2024.

To be considered for the final screening of this recruitment, please submit your application by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 23, 2024.

POSITION INFORMATION

The Placer County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to fill multiple Victim Advocate positions within the Victim Services Unit. Victim Advocates provide support to victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process. This includes in-person meetings, telephone and email communication, providing connections to outside resources and attending court proceedings. Victim Advocates are expected to familiarize themselves with the criminal justice system in Placer County so they can assist and explain that process to victims as their case moves through the court system. This work may also include reviewing sensitive material such as police reports, protective orders, or photographs and videos. Each Victim Advocate manages their own caseload, however, the Victim Services Unit functions as a team to work together to support each advocate as needed to cover cases and court appearances. Our Victim Advocates also work closely with the Deputy District Attorneys assigned to handle the criminal prosecutions.

These are fully on-site positions working in an office and in a courtroom setting.

Please visit our Victim Services page to learn more!

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To provide crisis intervention and advocacy services to victims and witnesses of crimes; to provide information to victims of crime about the criminal justice system; and to function as an integral and supportive member of the Victim/Witness multi-disciplinary team.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the Victim/Witness Advocate series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from the Victim/Witness Supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from other staff members.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advise crime victims and refer them to appropriate agencies; advise victims of crime of their rights and benefits under local, State, and/or Federal agencies (i.e. California Victim Compensation Board (Cal VCB)).
  
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance.
  
• Conduct follow-up meetings with victims to ensure their needs have been met.
  
• Prepare victims to testify and accompany them to court, giving special attention to children and elderly victims and witnesses.
  
• Accompany victims of all crime types to interviews in preparation for court appearances.
  
• Provide transportation to victims and witnesses when deemed necessary.
  
• Provide information to victims and witnesses of crime as to the Criminal Justice process and procedures.
  
• Assess need for and authorize referrals to other victim services and/or community resources/agencies to assist applicants/participants in identifying and utilizing the resources and services available; establish and maintain liaison with local private and public resources to provide continuity of services and awareness of designated program areas.
  
• Conduct program orientation and/or information sessions for applicants to disseminate accurate information regarding assigned program services and pertinent criteria, regulations, and guidelines.
  
• Prepare correspondence, victim fact sheets, program information and related reports.
  
• Maintain records and statistics as requested by the Victim/Witness Supervisor.
  
• Perform various office support and clerical duties such as receiving and logging phone calls, typing and processing program forms.
  
• Assist in training of program volunteers.
  
• Establish and maintain working relationships with other criminal justice and public and private agencies.
  
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County and departmental employees, community agencies and resources, and the public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
  
• Perform related duties as required.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One year of experience in a public or private agency which has provided an awareness and understanding of the problems of victims and witnesses is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to an Associate's degree with major course work in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or a closely related field.

Note: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department. Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  
• Must satisfactorily complete the California Office of Emergency Services (CALOES) Entry Level Victim Advocate Training Curriculum within one year of appointment to the position.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Basic advocacy and crisis intervention techniques.
  
• Interview techniques and record keeping practices.
  
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
  
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
  

Ability to:

• Conduct crisis intervention and provide emotional support to victims and witnesses of crimes.
  
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; explain designated and specific regulations and procedures to victims.
  
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, twist and reach while retrieving or returning files or making field visits. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see with correctable acuity sufficient to read characters on computer screen; hear and speak with correctable acuity sufficient to communicate with clients; and lift light weight.
  
• Learn practices and procedures of the criminal justice system.
  
• Learn basic regulations and procedures of victim restitution.
  
• Learn pertinent local, State, and Federal laws.
  
• Understand and apply complex laws and regulations.
  
• Effectively interview and advise a wide variety of individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and who may be physically, emotionally or mentally impaired or distressed.
  
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  
• Act quickly and calmly in crisis and/or emergency situations.
  
• Prioritize work in order to meet various program compliance deadlines.
  
• Work fairly and courteously with the public; handle multiple case assignments; and work effectively with interruptions.
  
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action within established guidelines and parameters.
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Selection Plan

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Preciosa Ayala-Burkhardt, Administrative Technician, at payala@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4637.

Closing Date/Time: 9/23/2024 5:00:00 PM

Salary:

$24.21 - $30.24/hour; $4,196.40 - $5,241.60/month; $50,356.80 - $62,899.20/year