Parallel Justice Program Specialist

City of Burlington, Vermont; Burlington (VT); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Burlington, Vermont seeks a dedicated advocate to provide trauma-informed, victim-centered services across the Parallel Justice Program. The role includes case management, resource coordination, referrals, and collaboration with municipal partners, law enforcement, and community organizations.

Based in Burlington with outreach across Chittenden County, the position emphasizes restoration, advocacy, and program development while maintaining strict confidentiality and professional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum two years of relevant professional experience in victim advocacy or related human services.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive Parallel Justice and victim services utilizing trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches.
• Engage victims through established program processes, assessing needs and providing advocacy, support, referrals.
• Administer available victim assistance funds in accordance with policies and grant requirements.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and ensure confidentiality per laws and standards.

Skills

Trauma-informed

Victim-centered advocacy

Case management

Restorative justice

Communication skills

Collaboration with partners

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services / related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

This position provides trauma-informed, victim-centered advocacy, case management, resource coordination, referral, and restorative justice services for individuals impacted by crime and harm throughout Chittenden County. The primary focus is supporting victims residing in, or impacted by, participating municipalities within the Parallel Justice Program, with initial services concentrated in Essex, South Burlington, and Williston and anticipated expansion to additional municipalities. The position will also work with non-criminal community referrals, in collaboration with agency staff and community partners.

Based at the Chittenden County Community Justice Center (CCCJC) South Burlington office, this position collaborates with municipalities, law enforcement, community organizations, victim service providers, and restorative justice partners to ensure victims have access to timely support, information, advocacy, and meaningful opportunities for restoration. The position also contributes to the continued development and evaluation of county-wide Parallel Justice services.

This position exercises a high degree of independence, initiative, and professional judgment and will support program volunteers. While primarily based at the South Burlington CCCJC office, the position will also spend time in the Williston office and the Essex Police Dept. office.

Union Affiliation: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Pay Grade 16: $31.70 - $35.33 Hourly

Remote Tier 2: Up to one (1) day remote/week

Direct Service / Case Coordination

• Provide comprehensive Parallel Justice and victim services utilizing trauma-informed, victim-centered, culturally responsive, and strength-based approaches.
• Work collaboratively with CCCJC staff, municipal partners, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and victim service providers while maintaining a high degree of autonomy, responsibility, and accountability.
• Engage victims through established program processes and community partnerships, assessing needs and providing advocacy, support, referrals, and resource coordination.
• Conduct timely outreach to victims in accordance with program practices explain available services, assess immediate and long-term needs, and provide ongoing advocacy and support.
• Provide direct assistance to individuals who have experienced physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or other harms resulting from violent or non-violent crime, trauma, fraud, or related circumstances, including situations where the personal responsible has not been identified.
• Provide crisis intervention, when appropriate, including safety and care planning, emotional support, stabilization, and connection to emergency and basic needs resources.
• Assist victims in navigating the criminal legal system, including criminal and family court, restorative justice services, victim compensation, restitution, and other available resources.
• Serve as a liaison among victims, criminal justice partners, community organizations, and service providers to improve communication, coordination, and access to services.
• Collaborate with county-wide social service providers, restorative justice services, and community partners to identify creative solutions where service gaps exist.
• Support victims participating in CCCJC, Pre-Charge, Diversion and Tamarack programs, including matters involving restitution, restorative processes, and other victim-requested supports.
• Administer available victim assistance funds in accordance with established policies and make recommendations regarding exceptions when appropriate.
• Solicit, document, and analyze feedback from individuals served to support continuous quality improvement.
• Maintain accurate case documentation, statistical data, and outcome measures in accordance with grant and MOU requirements, City policies, and program standards.
• Maintain the confidentiality of victim information in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and professional standards.
• Protect confidential and sensitive information and comply with all applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.
• Exercise sound judgment regarding the disclosure of confidential information.
• Stay current on emerging best practices in victim advocacy, restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and victim services.

Community Collaboration & Outreach

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with participating municipalities, law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, schools, healthcare providers, social service organizations, and other community stakeholders throughout Chittenden County.
• Increase community awareness of the impacts of crime, available victim services, and the goals of the Parallel Justice Program through outreach, education, and community engagement.
• Deliver presentations, trainings, and educational opportunities regarding trauma-informed victim response, restorative practices, Parallel Justice services, and available community resources.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen county-wide collaboration and improve access to victim services across participating municipalities.
• Assist in developing partnerships with businesses, organizations, and community members to expand resources available to victims.
• Represent the CCCJC and Parallel Justice Program at community meetings, collaborative initiatives, conferences, and public events as assigned.

Parallel Justice Program Development

• Collaborate with the CCCJC Victim Services Specialist, Coordinators and leadership.
• Support the continued growth, evaluation, and implementation of county-wide Parallel Justice services.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or a related field, plus two (2) years of relevant professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years in victim advocacy, restorative justice, case management, crisis intervention, or related human services work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of crime victim issues, trauma-informed care, victim-centered advocacy, and restorative justice principles.
• Demonstrated understanding of the criminal legal system and the diverse experiences of victims within it.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships with municipal agencies, law enforcement, community organizations, and service providers while maintaining the independence and integrity of victim advocacy services.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and demonstrated ability to coordinate services across multiple organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, conflict resolution, and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently while exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated familiarity with collaborative, ethical and participant-centered coordination of care and confidential recordkeeping – including, maintaining confidential records, complying with confidentiality laws and ethical obligations surrounding victim information. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, etc.), and related technology.
• Familiarity with Vermont Title 13 and other laws relating to crime victims, or the ability to acquire such knowledge within a reasonable period after hire.
• Commitment to resolving workplace conflict through restorative practices.
• Willingness to navigate ambiguity and contribute to the continued development of an evolving county-wide program.
• Self-reflective with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must successfully pass a background check.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or [e-mail].