Victim Advocate

City of Goodyear; Goodyear (AZ); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Goodyear is seeking a Victim Advocate to serve as a liaison among victims, the City Prosecutor’s Office, and justice partners. The role promotes effective communication, ensures rights compliance, and provides information, support, and advocacy throughout the prosecution process.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent and at least two years in a related field, plus a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required.
• Minimum two years of experience in a related field.
• Valid Driver’s License is required.
• Reading, writing, and basic math skills are needed to prepare reports and communicate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing advocacy and support to victims throughout the criminal prosecution process, establishing communication and explaining procedures.
• Explain victims' rights, responsibilities, and available resources to them and help navigate the case.
• Coordinate victim notifications regarding court proceedings, case status changes, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with prosecutors, legal staff, court personnel, and law enforcement to connect victims with resources.
• Assist with restitution and victim impact statement coordination and documentation.
• Maintain confidential victim service records and ensure accurate case notes and referrals.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Victim Advocate serves as a liaison between victims, the City Prosecutor’s Office, and justice system partners to promote effective communication, ensure compliance with applicable victims’ rights requirements, and provide compassionate, timely, and consistent services to victims throughout the prosecution process. The Victim Advocate is responsible for providing information, support, and advocacy services to victims and witnesses involved in criminal prosecution matters. This position assists victims in understanding their rights, navigating the criminal justice process, and accessing available resources throughout the life of a case. Duties include victim communication, case status updates, restitution assistance, court advocacy, victim impact statement coordination, referrals to community resources, and collaboration with prosecutors, legal staff, court personnel, law enforcement partners, and community agencies.

At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals that will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess six core values:

Integrity - Initiative - Empathy - Optimism - Innovation - Adaptability

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Only a limited number of the most highly qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will include a panel Interview and may include a written assessment.

All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email- please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as messages will come from a system generated source.

• Formal Education/Knowledge: Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum two years of experience in a related field.
• Certifications and Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License.
• Reading: Work requires the ability to read literature, books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.
• Math: Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Writing: Work requires the ability to write reports, proposals, worksheets, and letters.
• Managerial: Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others but may provide advice/direction to an employee with less experience/skill or tenure.
• Policy/Decision Making: Moderate - The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts may be reviewed prior to being finalized.
• Technical Skills: Comprehensive Application - Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills: Moderate - Interactions may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may also involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.

3 Month Objectives

Learn the Arizona Victims’ Rights’ requirements, notification requirements, timeframes, and procedures.

Familiarize yourself with restitution & victim impact statement forms and procedures.

Learn court procedures and establish a consistent method of explaining the processes to victims.

Learn Karpel functions for notifications, notes, referrals, and follow-up and consistently document victim activity in Karpel.

Establish regular communication methods with victims and follow-up practices.

6 Month Objectives

Research victim services, create a Victim Resource List and develop professional contacts with service providers.

Prepare and assist victims with Court Hearings.

Complete any required training and identify Victim Advocate/crisis intervention training.

9 Month Objectives

Consistently and effectively document victim-related activity in Karpel system.

Review practices and address internal and external communication gaps.

Identify barriers to victim participation and provide support/resources.

Identify additional functions to improve tracking and communication.

Identify additional training needs and opportunities.

12 Month Objectives

Maintain consistent compliance with victims’ rights requirements and victim resources.

Consistently provide effective court advocacy and criminal justice navigation.

Effectively use Karpel for victim tracking, communication, and documentation.

Demonstrate proficiency in techniques when supporting victims and continue to build professional skills.

Research victim service grants and identify improvement opportunities.

1. Victim Advocacy & Case Communication

Provides ongoing advocacy and support to victims throughout the criminal prosecution process by establishing communication, explaining case procedures, responding to questions, providing case-related information, and assisting victims in understanding their rights, responsibilities, and available resources.

2. Victim Rights Compliance & Notification

Supports compliance with applicable victims’ rights requirements by providing timely notifications regarding court proceedings, case status changes, dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and other significant case events.

3. Victim Services Partnerships & Resource Support

Builds and maintains effective working relationships with prosecutors, legal staff, court personnel, law enforcement partners, and community service providers to facilitate communication, support victim needs, and connect victims with appropriate resources.

4. Court Advocacy & Criminal Justice Navigation

Assists victims in navigating the criminal justice process by explaining court procedures, preparing victims for court participation, facilitating communication with prosecutors and court personnel, and providing guidance regarding hearings and related proceedings.

5. Victim Assistance & Restitution Support

Supports victims throughout the criminal prosecution process by providing information regarding restitution procedures, assisting with victim impact statement processes, facilitating the collection of restitution-related information, and connecting victims with appropriate services and resources.

6. Victim Case Management & Documentation

Maintains accurate and confidential victim service records, case notes, notifications, referrals, restitution documentation, and other case-related information to support effective communication, continuity of services, and compliance with applicable requirements.