POSITION SUMMARY:
The Victim Advocate, under the direction of the Victim Advocate Supervisor, is responsible for managing a multidisciplinary caseload consisting of victim advocacy, multi-agency liaison, community support coordination, and non-therapeutic counseling. The position is responsible for ensuring the client’s needs are met and for ensuring the client’s safety.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)
- Provides in-home and in-office Crisis Counseling, assessment, case management, on-going non-therapeutic counseling, and coordination of multi-agency services.
- Provides resources, safety planning and advocacy to ensure the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well being of victims of crime.
- Works on-call as a support for law enforcement personnel who need assistance with victims in crisis.
- Prepares victims to testify in criminal cases, assists with legal paperwork and advocates for victims in courtroom settings, both verbally and in writing.
- Works within Tribal, State, and Federal court systems to assist clients in understanding complex legal proceedings, advises victims of their rights and keeps informed of case developments.
- Provides emergency legal advocacy for victims in need of personal protection orders through completion of required legal forms and proper documentation.
- Documents service provisions and meets specific deadlines.
- Communicates with community and individuals through outreach programs and community education.
- Presents informational materials on victim issues to individuals, agencies and professional staff including law enforcement, social services and health services.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)
- Continues professional development and invests time in staying current on the profession.
- All other job-related duties as assigned.
CONTACTS:
Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, customers, outside vendors/service providers, professional level employees including law enforcement, court personnel, federal criminal justice systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position light with frequent lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds. Physical factors include constant sitting, use of hearing, smell, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision; frequent driving and typing; and occasional standing, walking, lifting/pushing/carrying/pulling, stooping and kneeling, reaching, manual handling and bending. Working conditions include occasional exposure to weather, extreme hot/cold, wet/humidity, and noise and air quality. Potential hazards include constant patient/client contact, computer use; frequent exposures to chemicals, insecticides/pesticides, infectious exposure; and occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, needles/syringes and equipment. Position has exposure to high risk and volatile situations.
