Victims Compensation Advocate

Center for Victims; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision benefits

Paid Time Off

Shift differential for 2nd/3rd shift

15 paid holidays

Short Term Disability and Life

Retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program

Mileage/cell phone reimbursement

PSLF program eligibility

Job summary

The Center for Victims is seeking a Victims Compensation Coordinator to serve as the in‑house expert on financial assistance for crime victims. You will help clients file VCAP claims, assess financial needs, and advocate across legal and social service systems.

Responsibilities include data entry in the VCAP system, regular client follow‑ups, and collaboration with prosecutors, advocates, and service providers to ensure timely, accurate processing of claims and appeals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, or a related field or an Associate’s degree in the same fields with three years minimum related work.
• Prior experience in social services, VCAP or victim services a plus.
• Able to serve as a liaison between clients, VCAP and appropriate service providers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Completion of mandatory victim assistance training including domestic violence, sexual assault/rape crisis, & other crimes and basic conflict resolution training – provided by the organization.
• Ability to secure Act 33 and 34 and FBI clearances.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs; computer/database skills including ability to learn state, county, and CV’s various software programs.
• Ability to work closely with others in a team environment.
• Supportive of organization’s mission along with sensitivity of cultural diversity and workplace harmony.
• Ability to adhere to CV’s confidentiality policy along with respect to sensitive, confidential client data and adherence to all Federal, State and local statutes.
• Access to a personal cell phone for safety and immediate business communications.
• A readily available and reliable means of transportation.
• Self-directed with strong problem-solving abilities and flexibility to meet the needs of the program.

Responsibilities

• Provides basic information to callers/clients regarding the Victims Compensation Program, its eligibility requirements, expenses, and processes; providing an assessment of the caller’s / client’s financial needs.
• Responsible for regularly scheduled follow-up to clients, including phone calls, scheduling in-office visits and/or correspondence by mail, to assist the client in completing the claim form within the allotted time frame.
• Assists clients in the claims process by entering the completed claim to VCAP utilizing the DAVE system and collecting supporting documentation.
• Communicates with client/claimant throughout the process via mail, email, phone, and office visits and ensures they understand any and all communication from PCCD VCAP.
• Provides creditor intervention when needed by explaining VCAP process and advocating for the client.
• Works collaboratively with legal system advocates, District Attorney’s Office, and VCAP to ensure restitution is ordered through the court when applicable.
• Assists client/claimant through the VCAP Appeals process, informing them of the process and providing support and advocacy.
• Utilizes the VCAP Single Point of Contact to help process claims as expeditiously and as accurately as possible.
• Strengthens and maintains relationships with all systems crime victims may encounter including: legal, medical, social services, funeral directors etc. by fostering ongoing relationships and establishing new ones.
• Provides Victims Compensation informational presentations to allied professionals as requested, in order to strengthen understanding of Victims Compensation and facilitate ongoing relationships and referrals from these entities.
• Provides individual and personal advocacy on behalf of victims, witnesses and significant others throughout all relevant systems such as the medical, legal and court systems.
• Responsible for entry into data collection systems (ETO) and maintaining client files related to Victims Compensation services. This includes ongoing review for closing inactive cases.
• Participates as an active member with all trainings, in-services, and department or organization meetings.
• Participates in other direct services as assigned such as community crisis response, once required training is completed.
• Provides crisis counseling and support to victims, witnesses and significant others of violence and crime including psycho-educational information on the impacts of violence and trauma, information on justice system, Victim’s Rights/Media Rights.
• Participates in rotation of Support Staff for hotline during non‑business hours.
• Provides and contributes to all assigned reports, grants and statistics as required by CV and/or the various funding sources.
• Other VOCA eligible duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, or related field

Associate’s degree with 3+ years related work

Tools

Microsoft Office

DAVE system

Job description

The Center for Victims is seeking a Victims Compensation Coordinator to serve as the in‑house expert on financial assistance for crime victims. You will help clients file VCAP claims, assess financial needs, and advocate across legal and social service systems.

Responsibilities include data entry in the VCAP system, regular client follow‑ups, and collaboration with prosecutors, advocates, and service providers to ensure timely, accurate processing of claims and appeals.