Victim Services Advocate

The City of Bozeman is now accepting applications for a Victim Services Advocate who will provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process from initial referral through case resolution. This role assesses individual needs, connects clients with appropriate community resources, and delivers direct advocacy, including coordination with prosecutors, law enforcement, courts, and social service partners. 

This is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by joining the City of Bozeman! You will be part of a passionate team driving positive change while enjoying a fantastic benefits package. Full-time City of Bozeman employees receive top-tier benefits including 15 vacation days; 12 sick days; 12 holidays; 8 weeks of paid parental leave; bilingual pay if applicable and verified through a City-approved test; excellent retirement options; comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans; discounted ski tickets and gym memberships; and much more!

• Evaluates and assesses individual needs of the victim, determines whether necessary resources are available, refers victims to other community resources and services as needed.
• Maintains familiarity with community resources and services to provide accurate information and effective referrals to assist victims in meeting their individual needs.
• Provides professional direct advocacy services to victims and witnesses involved in criminal cases, including referrals to civil legal advocacy.
• Provides credible and reliable court testimony.
• Serves as a liaison and coordinates information between prosecutors, court staff, law enforcement personnel, counseling resources, social workers, and state and community compensation resources. 
• Facilitates restitution process for victims of property crimes. 
• Provides a continuum of victim support from initial referral through adjudication.
• Maintains records and files on all assigned cases ensuring all relevant and necessary documentation is included.
• Participates in local interagency networks including social service, law enforcement, and community organizations providing a coordinated community response to victims of crime.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Services, Sociology, Criminology, or a related field; and
• Some (at least 2 years) experience in social services, counseling, or victim advocacy; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

• Some knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, City ordinances and resolutions, and State statutes (including the Montana Crime Victim Compensation Act) related to the provision of services to victims of crime.
• Some knowledge of criminal and civil court policies, procedures, practices, terminology, and systems.
• Some knowledge of principles of providing advocacy and assistance to victims of crime.
• Some knowledge of victim response to traumatic events and best practices for trauma-informed response to working with crime victims.
• Some knowledge of standard formats for legal and business correspondence, court orders, and jury instructions; appropriate grammar, spelling, and legal formatting. 
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the function of services within the public sector, particularly within a municipal government.
• Considerable knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment, including electronic filing systems and methods of communication.
• Ability to communicate with crime victims effectively to obtain relevant case information and keep victims adequately informed on the status of cases.
• Ability to learn, implement, and follow departmental policies, rules, procedures, practices, and objectives.
• Ability to interact, communicate, and develop relationships with a wide range of persons, including those who may be dissatisfied with decisions.
• Ability to observe situations analytically and objectively and accurately document observations.
• Ability to work independently, adapt to change including unexpected delays or events, and to react well under pressure.
• Ability to testify professionally and truthfully in court regarding work product and a victim’s desired outcome.
• Ability to understand confidentiality rules related to criminal justice information and privacy and abide by them.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
• Ability to use data and statistical analysis to report on cases and program objectives and to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Ability to proficiently operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks and to utilize systems for case files and data management.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Ingenuity and inventiveness and the use of appropriate levels of discretion in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Consistency with performing assignments in accordance with the City’s Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service, and Teamwork.

• Valid Driver’s License (must obtain a valid Montana Driver’s License within 60 days of employment); 

• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory responses to appropriate post-conditional offer process including but not limited to a criminal background check, reference checks, credit check, and NCIC/CJIN and Local Records Check.