Victim Advocate (District Attorney's Office)

County of Berks; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Berks in Reading, PA seeks a Victim Advocate to assist victims and families, conduct initial intakes, assess needs, coordinate services, and maintain client files at the CAC.

Candidates should understand the criminal justice system and trauma-informed care, with strong communication, data-entry skills, and ability to collaborate with law enforcement, courts, and social service agencies.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Services or related field (Bachelor preferred).
• Two years of experience in criminal justice or social services.
• Background check including NCIC required.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Responsibilities

• Greet CAC visitors.
• Perform initial intake with victims and inform them of CAC process.
• Provide screening tool for child victims to assess urgent mental health issues.
• Coordinate with partner agencies for forensic interviews and medical examinations.
• Enter client information into tracking system and perform data maintenance.
• Provide victims with information on Victim Compensation and referrals to services.
• Assist with outreach, volunteer recruitment, and planning events.
• Participate in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and case reviews.

Skills

Customer service

Database software

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Spanish language

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Time management

Flexible hours

Stress management

Education

Associate degree acceptable

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Database software

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Victim Advocate provides assistance with the following duties: initial intakes, needs assessments, coordinates services to victims/survivors and their families, and provides general client tracking and file maintenance. The Victim Advocate will assist with outreach efforts to raise awareness of victim’s rights and available services. The Victim Advocate will perform other VOCA eligible duties as assigned.

Victim Advocates must understand the criminal justice system, dynamics of child abuse, crisis development and resolution, effective listening techniques, the impact of trauma on a child, the rights of crime victims, cultural considerations, and intervention strategies.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Greet visitors when they arrive at the Children’s Alliance Center (CAC).
• Complete initial intake process with victims/survivors and their families and inform them of the CAC process and available services.
• Provides and assesses a screening tool for all child victims to determine an urgent mental health issues and/or suicidal ideations. Results of the tool are utilized to make appropriate referrals and offer the child resources to manage their mental health.
• Performs an assessment tool with potential victims of human trafficking.
• Field in-coming calls to the Children’s Alliance Center.
• Provide education to children and their families regarding the Children’s Alliance Center.
• Provide victims/survivors and their families with information regarding the Victim Compensation Assistance Program and assist them with filing their claim, upon their request.
• Provide assistance with accessing services such as protective orders, housing, public assistance, domestic violence resources, support groups and transportation.
• Provide victims/survivors and their families with necessary referrals to community agencies and provide victim advocacy when needed, including linkage to necessary community resources to meet some of the basic needs listed above such as housing and transportation.
• Follow up to assure that needed support services are realistically accessible and received (counseling, sexuality evaluation, forensic examination, satisfaction surveys, etc.).
• Coordinate with partner agencies to schedule forensic interviews, medical examinations and sexual abuse evaluations.
• Act as a liaison with other social service agencies in the community to provide timely services and referrals to the family.
• Provide victim support throughout the investigation.
• Assist in creating and maintaining client files.
• Enter client information into client tracking system and perform data maintenance on all services provided.
• Provide opportunities for families to complete outcome measurements relative to services and programs.
• Participate in Multidisciplinary Team Meetings and case review.
• Participate in weekly supervision meetings with CAC Director.
• Participates in staff meetings.
• Maintain connections with other social service agencies. law enforcement agencies, education systems, and the general public.
• Assist in the planning of community outreach events, meetings and other program activities.
• Assist with recruitment of volunteers.
• Assist with updating correspondence to victims.
• Assist with planning local activities for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
• Train to provide back-up to other positions, as needed.
• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Occasionally travel on an as-needed basis for training and to complete assigned duties.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• While an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Services, Child Development or closely related field may be acceptable; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Two years of experience in the criminal justice field or a social service agency.
• Successful completion of employment background check, including NCIC criminal check.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Prior community/customer service experience with an emphasis on direct contact with both the general public and all levels of professionals, both face-to-face and by telephone.
• Experience utilizing computer database programs to retrieve and manipulate information, as well as word processing and spreadsheet experience.
• English fluency: Spanish language skills are desirable.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the public and government officials in a highly charged, emotional setting.
• Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a Multidisciplinary Team collaboration with a wide range of professionals including, but not limited, to law enforcement, child protection, attorneys, medical and mental health providers.
• Must be self-motivated, adaptable and resourceful.
• Excellent organizational skills with an attention to detail, accuracy and time management.
• Must be able to attend and successfully receive a minimum of 8 hours of training every two years.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook and Adobe.
• Understanding of office methods, rules, practices and procedures.
• Capable of understanding and carrying out oral and written directions.
• Able to maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties, including all other employees.
• Ability to evaluate and utilize discretion in dealing with members of the public.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds a distance of fifteen feet or less.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Normal cubicles and individual office environment. Work is primarily performed during regular business hours; however, occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on the department’s needs. Travel within the assigned service area may be required. The position may require working in moderately noisy to loud environments, including cubicles and communal workspaces, and participating in frequent collaborative team meetings. The work environment may include a fast-paced setting with frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and interactions with employees, the public, and other stakeholders.

This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed where appropriate.