Victim Services Advocate

City of Maypearl; Pflugerville (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Maypearl is seeking a Crisis Counselor to provide crisis counseling, stabilization, and support services to victims and witnesses of violent crime. The role requires on-call availability, a flexible schedule, and coordination with law enforcement and advocacy groups.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma with 4 years of related experience, a valid Texas driver’s license, and strong counseling skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Four (4) years of work experience directly related to this position.
• Valid Class C Texas driver’s license.
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent hours, in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field (preferred).
• Bi-lingual in Spanish with the ability to read, write, and speak Spanish (preferred).
• Two years of related full-time experience may substitute for one year of higher education, or vice versa, per policy.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis counseling, follow up, and support services to victims/witnesses and assists with problems resulting from victimization.
• Assesses the status of clients and determines the types of counseling, social services, and other services indicated.
• Provides information to clients related to crime and/or court cases; explains legal issues, terms, and court procedures.
• Works with Spanish-speaking victims/witnesses to ensure needs are understood and met.
• Assists with Crime Victim's Compensation applications for those who qualify.
• Serves as liaison with advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers, community outreach services, and law enforcement personnel.
• Supports public events, lectures and training sessions as needed.
• Remains on-call as backup to volunteers and accessible via personal cell phone for job-related issues or emergencies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job description

Job Summary

Under general supervision, is responsible for working a 40 hour flexible schedule per week. This includes being on call as needed. Under general supervision, provides crisis counseling, stabilization, and support services to victims/witnesses and assists with problems resulting from victimization. Assess the emotional status of victims/witnesses, determining the types of counseling and/or other resources needed and coordinate provision of services to them. Acts as translator as needed. This job requires on call time and a flexible schedule. To ensure citizens are provided with effective and efficient access to emotional and practical support to help overcome or alleviate adverse impacts on their lives caused by violent crime.

Essential Job Functions and Other Important Duties

• Provides crisis counseling, follow up, and support services to victims/witnesses and assists with problems resulting from victimization.
• Assesses the status of clients and determine the types of counseling, social service provider and other services indicated.
• Provides information to clients related to crime and/or court case. Explains legal issues, terms, and court procedures.
• Works with Spanish speaking victims/witnesses to ensure their needs are understood and met.
• Assists with Crime Victim's Compensation applications to those who qualify.
• May serve as liaison with advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers, community outreach services, and law enforcement personnel.
• Supports public events, lectures and training sessions as needed.
• Responsible for on-call status as backup to volunteers as scheduled.
• Remains accessible via personal cell phone to address job-related issues or emergencies using City applications.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed & Environmental Factors and Other Physical Requirements

• Knowledge of agency functions, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers and community outreach services.
• Skilled in counseling and assisting victims/witnesses. Good problem solving and decision making skills.
• Skill in utilizing a personal computer, associated software programs, including Windows and Microsoft Office applications; skilled in computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and a variety of software.
• Ability to establish and maintain professionally effective relationships with external public/vendors, internal management and non-management employees, and City and other government officials.
• Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for the City.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, as well as strong time and task management skills.
• Subject to sitting and standing to perform essential functions in an office and field environment.
• Visual acuity, speech, and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate office equipment.
• 40 hours per week; rotating on-call evenings and weekends.
• Frequently stressful working environment.
• Occasionally strenuous physical activity, such as stooping, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling; lifting 35 lbs., standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, crouching, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Extended periods of time seated at desk.

Formal Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Relatable Work Experience: Four (4) years of work experience directly related to this position.

Training, Licenses, and Certifications: Valid Class C Texas driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree, or equivalent hours, in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field. Bi-lingual in Spanish with the ability to read, write, and speak Spanish.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is define as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.