Victim Advocate Specialist

Southern Arkansas University; Brighton (CO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Arkansas University is seeking a dedicated Victim Advocate to provide crisis intervention and support to victims of crime in Brighton. Responsibilities include assessing victims' needs, liaising with law enforcement, and ensuring victims receive necessary resources and information. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and at least two years of experience in victim advocacy, with strong communication skills and knowledge of the Colorado crime victims’ rights. Bilingual candidates are preferred.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the State of Colorado criminal justice system.
• Ability to provide timely case updates to victims.
• Knowledge of community services available to crime victims.

Responsibilities

• Assist victims in understanding and coping with their situations.
• Provide a wide variety of case management services for victims.
• Act as a liaison between victims and law enforcement.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Knowledge of crime victims' rights

Case management

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

2 years experience in victim advocacy

Tools

Standard office equipment

Two-way radio

Job description

Respond to crisis situations 24/7 when needed, having the ability to assess a victim's safety and needs at the time of the incident, and the ability to communicate effectively with law enforcement officers. Provide on-scene crisis intervention, support, inform and referrals for victims of crime in the cities of Brighton, Commerce City, Fort Lupton, and Lochbuie. This position must work well independently and with teams while providing excellent, respectful customer service and human relations skills that support the City of Brighton’s mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Assists victims in understanding and coping with their situations and contacting pertinent parties such as friends, family, health care professionals, law enforcement officers or attorneys.
• Provides a wide variety of case management services for victims of crime and personal tragedy.
• Reads and interprets police reports, assessing the needs of victims and their families and making recommendations.
• Acts as liaison between victims and witnesses, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, social service agencies, and offices of the courts.
• Provides victims/witnesses with information on Crime Victims Rights, criminal justice processes and procedures; provides victims with factual updates during the investigation and criminal proceedings.
• Makes referrals to other agencies or organizations as warranted.
• Assists victims or their families with victim compensation and financial assistance applications, appeals, restitution process or civil remedies.
• Maintains statistical data for grant reporting; prepares reports documenting case management.
• Ability to effectively use the Language Line when the primary language of the victim is not English.
• Research and compiles lists of community resources and referrals available to victims.
• Represents the Brighton Office for Victim Assistance on various boards, committees, and task forces as assigned.
• Works extra hours as needed; on call is required.
• Must be able to respond from time of call to location of incident within 30 minutes.
• Performs other duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the State of Colorado criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of the State of Colorado Crime Victims’ Rights Act.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the Brighton Office for Victim Assistance and their police departments.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of community services available to crime victims and ability to assist victims with appropriate resources.
• Ability to intervene in crises, assessing victims' needs and applying appropriate resources.
• Ability to provide factual case updates to victims in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to assist victims in applying for victim compensation, and other financial assistance.
• Ability to use a two‑way radio.
• Ability to comprehend and apply standards and guidelines of victim advocacy including the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA) code of ethics and the Colorado state constitution for Victims’ Rights.
• Ability to interpret, understand and apply applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
• Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, law enforcement agencies, courts, Department of Human Services, legal representatives and the general public.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; two years’ experience in victim advocacy. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) certification.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Ability to complete FEMA IC 100 and IS 700 training within six (6) months of hire.

Physical Requirements

Physical ability to perform essential job functions: while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see and demonstrate manual dexterity. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, stoop, and perform light lifting, up to 20 lbs.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.
• Physical ability to perform essential job functions as described.