Victim Services Specialist

City of Norfolk; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Norfolk seeks a Victim Services Specialist to work with the Norfolk Police Department, delivering crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and stabilization for victims, witnesses, and survivors of violent crime. You will coordinate referrals, explain victims’ rights, and document case information for timely follow-up.

Requirements include a Master’s degree and crisis/trauma experience; a valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain NCIC/VCIN and First Aid

Qualifications

• Requires Master’s degree in social/behavioral sciences or related field.
• Experience in crisis and trauma intervention.
• Preferred experience: crisis intervention, victim advocacy, trauma-informed services, or case management.
• Valid driver’s license; ability to obtain NCIC/VCIN and First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Respond to active or recently reported violent crime scenes.
• Provide crisis stabilization and support to victims, witnesses, and survivors of violent crime.
• Assist with victimization concerns and coordinate referrals and services.
• Explain victims’ rights and available remedies under laws and department responses.
• Prepare and maintain case documentation; record information in an identified system.
• Collaborate with patrol officers, detectives, prosecutors, and other professionals to facilitate services.
• Participate in community outreach, prevention, and awareness activities.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed services

Victim advocacy

Education

Master's degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice administration, or related field

Job description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The Norfolk Police Department is committed to representing one of the most diverse cities in the region. Norfolk is home to over 244,000 residents including an array of social, economic, and ethnic groups. It is the Norfolk Police Department’s mission to recruit, attract, and maintain a diverse work agency that will represent our city, citizens, and the communities we serve.

The Norfolk Police Department is seeking to hire a Victim Services Specialist. This position provides crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning and stabilization to victims, survivors, and witnesses of violent crime. 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 victims, witnesses, survivors of violent crime.

***The department hiring salary range is $56,900.48 - $80,263.75 annually***

• Responds to active or recently reported violent crime scenes.
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries while avoiding interference with ongoing investigations.
• Provides immediate crisis stabilization and support services to victims, witnesses, and survivors of violent crime.
• Assists with concerns resulting from victimization.
• Provides information using a trauma-informed approach to victims, witnesses, survivors of violent crime.
• Explains victims’ rights and available remedies under applicable laws and departmental responses.
• Prepares and maintains statistical records. Records case information and appropriate documentation in an identified case management system.
• Assists victims/survivors in understanding and navigating law enforcement, prosecution, court, and medical processes.
• Provides referrals and assistance related to victim compensation, protective orders, court accompaniment, restitution, financial assistance, and other resources.
• Conducts individualized safety planning.
• Identifies immediate and ongoing needs while coordinating with appropriate law enforcement or community partners for additional intervention.
• Establishes appropriate follow-up, monitoring of referrals and service connections, and addresses barriers/obstacles to services.
• Maintains accurate and timely case documentation.
• Collaborates with patrol officers, detectives, supervisors, prosecutors, and other professionals to facilitate appropriate services.
• Participates in community outreach, prevention, and awareness activities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Work requires professional level knowledge which is acquired in a Master’s degree level of study or equivalent in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice administration, or a directly related field.

Experience in crisis and trauma intervention.

Preferred experience:

• Providing crisis intervention, victim advocacy, trauma informed services, or case management.

Valid driver’s license. Requires ability to obtain National Crime Information Center/Virginia Crime Information Network (NCIC/VCIN) certification and First Aid certification.