Victim Advocate

Horizon Health And Wellness; Apache Junction (AZ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizon Health and Wellness is seeking a Victim Advocate in Apache Junction, AZ. The role provides trauma-informed support, assists victims in navigating the criminal justice process, and connects individuals with essential community services and resources.

The position involves coordination with law enforcement, courts, and agencies to ensure victims receive appropriate follow-up, and may include after-hours response and travel to various service locations.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED plus 4 years in BH or related education/experience with at least 1 year in victim services preferred.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, marriage and family counseling, behavioral science, human services, or related field preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed support and advocacy to victims of crime and individuals in crisis.
• Assess victim needs and connect individuals with community, social, medical, legal, and emergency resources.
• Conduct thorough intake processes for behavioral health services as appropriate.
• Explain victims' rights and the criminal justice process; assist with related documentation.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and service providers for victim support.

Skills

Bilingual - English/Spanish

Trauma-informed support

Victim advocacy

Behavioral health services knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

HS diploma or GED with BH experience

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Apache Junction, AZ 85120Position Type: Full Time

Horizon Health and Wellness, Inc. has offered quality healthcare services to central and southern Arizona for over 40 years. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of the individuals, families and communities we serve, and empower them to attain their optimum potential. Our most important organizational philosophy is Kindness Matters. It is how we do our business and an essential component in all of our interactions with our patients and with each other.

The Victim Advocate serves as a critical connection between victims, law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and community resources. This position provides trauma-informed support, helps victims understand and exercise their rights, assists with navigating the criminal justice process, and connects individuals and families with appropriate community services.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed support and advocacy to victims of crime and individuals experiencing crisis.
• Assess victim needs and connect individuals with appropriate community, social, medical, legal, and emergency resources.
• Assess client needs, when appropriate, by completing a thorough intake process for behavioral health services.
• May respond to crime scenes or hospitals outside of normal business hours.
• Explain victims' rights, available protections, and the criminal justice process, and assist with related documentation and court proceedings.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and community service providers to ensure victims receive appropriate support and follow-up.
• Accompany and assist victims at hospitals, shelters, courts, forensic interview facilities, and other service locations as needed.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records and documentation, including referrals, services, and case-related information.
• Provide ongoing communication and case follow-up while helping victims navigate available services and resources.
• Support community outreach, education, training, and victim-assistance programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and service providers and identify opportunities to improve victim services.

This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funding. Employment is not guaranteed beyond the term of the grant and may be subject to modification or termination if funding is reduced or discontinued.

QualificationsMinimum Requirements:

• HS diploma or GED plus 4 years in BH or combined BH education and experience with at least 1 year experience in victim services strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual - English/Spanish
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, marriage and family counseling, behavioral science, human services, or related field.
• Bilingual Spanish/English skills are preferred.

This position primarily works in an office environment but may require travel to hospitals, shelters, courts, forensic interview facilities, and other locations to provide victim support.

This Position May Involve:

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and computer use.
• Lifting or carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Responding to emotionally intense or crisis situations.
• Occasional on-call or after-hours response.
• Working in environments involving sensitive, confidential, and potentially traumatic information.

Candidates selected for employment may be required to successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification, and other pre-employment requirements applicable to the position. A valid Arizona driver's license may be required.