Victim Witness Advocate I/II

General Recruitment Information:

This recruitment will establish a list of candidates to be used in filling the vacancy as well as an eligibility list that may be used for future vacancies or temporary help for up to one (1) year.

Job Opportunity:

Only online applications are accepted. It is the responsibility of each applicant to review the full job description and requirements. Resumes are encouraged, but will not be accepted in lieu of required application materials. Applications which are incomplete as of the final date to apply will be eliminated from consideration. Candidates who meet all the minimum qualifications may be invited to an oral interview. 

Expected hire pay scale:

Level I: $1,720.44 - $1,896.78 bi-weekly

The County of Del Norte, District Attorney's Office, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Victim Witness Advocate I/II. The position is classified as full-time. 

This is the full journey level class within the Victim/Witness Advocate series. This class is distinguished from the Victim/Witness Advocate Aide series by the assignment of a full range of duties. Under the general direction of the District Attorney or the Victim Witness Program Coordinator, the incumbent in this position performs a variety of services to victims and witnesses of crimes in accordance with the Victim/Witness Program in the County District Attorney’s Office. This position is responsible for contacting, assisting, and notifying victims in regards to their legal rights as victims; and will maintain contact with the victims/witnesses as they navigate the legal process.  The Incumbent will also be responsible for assisting the Victim Witness Coordinator with keeping statistical records and grant maintenance; provide services to all victims of crime, and function as an integral and supportive member of the Victim/Witness multi-disciplinary team. The work in this position consists of professional and technical duties.

Essential job duties may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Plans, organizes and coordinates the functions provided by the Victim/Witness Grant Program for Del Norte County.
• Initiate victim contacts, including walk-in and call-in victims
• Acts as information source for clients, other individuals or agencies regarding the criminal justice system.
• Assists victims in submitting claims to the California Victim Compensation Program.
• Provide crisis intervention to victims of all types of crime, including field and/or home visits and provides emergency assistance.
• Acts as a court escort and/or provides courtroom accompaniment which may include coordination of transportation in conjunction with the case.
• Collects and analyzes statistics related to victims of crime as requested by the Victim/Witness Coordinator. 
• Prepare correspondence, assessment reports, program information and related reports.
• Conducts follow-up counseling with victims to ensure their needs have been met.
• Assists in training Victim/Witness volunteers.
• Assists in training lower level Victim/Witness employees.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with other criminal justice and public and private agencies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County, State and departmental employees, community agencies and resources, and the public utilizing principals of effective customer service.
• Perform related duties as required.

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent GED, supplemented with college course work in social-human services or other behavioral science.  

Experience: One (1) year of social service casework experience or responsible work experience in dealing with victims and witnesses of crimes, or within the criminal justice system. One (1) year of para-professional victim services, peer counseling, crisis intervention, social services or related experience.

Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent GED, supplemented with equivalent to graduation from college including 30 units in social/human services or other behavioral science  

Experience: Two (2) years of social service casework experience in public sector or private social services agency, including some experience in supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination or education and experience as determined by the Appointing Authority and approved by the Human Resources Manager.

Desirable Qualifications: Advanced degree in social or behavioral science, criminology, public administration, or related field is highly desirable.

Knowledge Of:

• Knowledge of the methods and practices used in victim crisis intervention.

Ability To:

• Complete of the advanced California Victim/Witness Advocate Academy training within the first twelve months of being hired. 
• Assess and analyze a case and take appropriate course of action.
• Work with hostile and uncooperative victims and witnesses who are under emotional stress.
• Apply complex laws and regulations to a variety of situations in an independent manner.
• Prioritize work in an effective and timely manner.
• Utilize automated systems to enter/retrieve information and to track/monitor participants through program components. 
• Work independently with little supervision.
• Operate a keyboard/typewriter, copier, facsimile machine and like equipment is required. 

Selection Process:

The County of Del Norte does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual preference, or disability in any of its programs, activities, or hiring practices.  All applications will be reviewed and those individuals with backgrounds most closely meeting the needs of the county will be selected for further review.  In the event of a large number of qualifying applicants, a written examination may be given to determine which applicants will be invited to attend an oral interview.  An eligibility list will be established upon completion of the oral interviews.  Expenses (i.e. travel, food, lodging) incurred in connection with the interview shall be the burden of the applicant.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Office prior to the interview/examination so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Condition of Employment:

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, Del Norte County is required to verify, within three days of employment of any person, that he/she is: 1) a citizen or national of the United States; 2) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or authorized by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Del Norte employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County of Del Norte requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Del Norte County is an equal opportunity employer hiring employment eligible applicants. Disabled applicants who require special testing arrangements should contact the Human Resources Department prior to the filing deadline. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, applicants must provide acceptable proof of identity or authorization to work in the United States. A thorough background investigation will be conducted prior to employment.  The investigation may include reference checks, fingerprinting, credit check, driver history and inquiry to local, state and federal files to obtain criminal history information.  All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the selection process. Selection processes may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:  application review, competitive screening, written examination, performance examination, and/or oral examination. This bulletin is solely for the purpose of announcing a job opening.  It does not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revised without notice.