Victim Assistance Coordinator

Bee Cave, City of (TX); Bee Cave (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bee Cave seeks a Victims Advocate to provide crisis stabilization and support to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims. You will coordinate referrals and share information about legal processes with sensitivity to trauma-informed practices.

Under direct supervision of the Chief of Police, you will uphold victims’ rights, maintain case records, and liaise with advocacy groups, service providers, and law enforcement to ensure seamless support services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice administration, or a directly related field.
• Two years’ experience in counseling/social services or criminal justice work.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis stabilization and support services to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims and assists with concerns resulting from victimization.
• Identifies and coordinates referrals and services.
• Provides information using a trauma-informed approach to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims related to the criminal event and/or associated criminal justice response, policies, and practices.
• Understands, upholds, and assists in the education and exercise of victims’ rights per statutory and constitutional laws.
• Prepares and maintains statistical records. Records case information and appropriate documentation in identified system.
• Serves as a liaison with advocacy groups, service providers, community outreach services, law enforcement personnel, and others.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Trauma response

Crisis stabilization

Verbal & written communication

Referral coordination

Time management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice administration, or related field

Two years’ experience in counseling/social services or criminal justice work

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

My Government Online

My Permit Now

InCode

Laserfiche

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Provides crisis stabilization and support services to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims and assists with concerns resulting from victimization. Identifies and coordinates referrals and services. Serves as a liaison with criminal justice professionals and community agency representatives, to address the rights of and access to processes and services for crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the direct supervision of the Chief of Police or his/her designee.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides crisis stabilization and support services to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims and assists with concerns resulting from victimization.
• Identifies and coordinates referrals and services.
• Provides information using a trauma-informed approach to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims related to the criminal event and/or associated criminal justice response, policies, and practices. Provides information to persons served related to legal terms and court processes.
• Understands, upholds, and assists in the education and exercise of victims’ rights per statutory and constitutional laws.
• Prepares and maintains statistical records. Records case information and appropriate documentation in identified system.
• Serves as a liaison with advocacy groups, service providers, community outreach services, law enforcement personnel, and others.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Other related duties as assigned.

Attends seminars and workshops related to duties and responsibilities.

Attends professional development workshops and conferences. Travels to various destinations in and out of the City and may require overnight stay.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice administration, or a directly related field AND two (2) years’ experience in counseling/social services or criminal justice work; OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Driver’s License

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice administration, or a directly related field
• Experience in crisis and trauma intervention

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, and procedures within the criminal justice system
• Trauma response and crisis stabilization techniques and resources
• Advocacy groups, service providers, and community outreach services
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and a variety of software packages

Skill in:

• Trauma response and providing crisis stabilization and other assistance to crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims
• Determining types of referrals and services needed by crime victims, witnesses, survivors, and co-victims
• Obtaining information from persons served and other sources
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Verbal and written communication

Ability to:

• Explain legal terms and court processes
• Work independently
• Manage time well and meet timelines
• Communicate effectively
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with persons served by the City of Bee Cave, employees and officials of the City of Bee Cave, representatives of outside agencies and providers, and the general public

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Notary Public or ability to obtain status within 6 months of hire

TOOLS, EQUIPMENT & APPPLICATION SOFTWARE USED

Personal computer including Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Teams; My Government Online and My Permit Now; InCode; Laserfiche Client; word processing, spreadsheet, internet, web client, 10-key calculator; phone; scanner/copy machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment varies on a day-to-day basis.

This position is not eligible for remote work/work from home on a regular basis.