Victim Advocate-Extra Help (Bilingual Spanish)

The District Attorney's Office is seeking a Victim Advocate-Extra Help to join their team. Under general supervision, the Victim Advocate serves as liaison between the court system and victims of crime through the court process; provides crisis counseling; and acts as advocate for victims of crime.

This classification has technical, clerical, and paraprofessional responsibilities for performing duties involved in providing program services in accordance with established state and local programs, rules, and departmental policies and procedures. Counseling responsibilities are limited to the non-professional level. As experience accrues, the incumbent performs with increasing independence. Work requires incumbents to exercise some judgment in selecting appropriate established guidelines to follow. Significant deviations require prior approval. Interpretation of general administrative or operational policies is sometimes necessary.

Extra Help positions are on an as needed basis. Qualifying applicants from this recruitment may be considered for current and future vacancies. Please note that you will NOT be contacted regarding this extra help application unless there is an extra help opportunity for which you are being considered.

Note: This is a bilingual position and requires the ability to speak and write in Spanish. A comprehension exam will be required in the evaluation process.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1. Initiates immediate contact with victims of crime; interviews victims and witnesses; assesses situation; counsels victims as appropriate; develops case plans to provide necessary services; provides information on victim assistance programs and resources; advises victims of the judicial process; provides emotional support at court.
2. Conducts follow-up reviews to assess situation; maintains contact with victims to provide counseling and advise on case status.
3. Compiles and types various legal documents, narrative and statistical reports correspondence, and other data in the daily performance of duties; reviews data to verify accurate and complete information; ensures applicable data is properly filed with the court; ensures all related information is filed and maintained in a systemized manner to ensure ease of retrieval.
4. Researches and interprets codes and statutes relating to rights of victims of crime.
5. Assists victims of crime in writing and filing victim impact statements, restraining orders, and other documents filed with the court; assists in the completion of forms, documentation and filing of claims with the State Board of Control; acts as victim advocate in obtaining reimbursement and restitution.
6. Provides transportation and child care when necessary for victim to testify in court.
7. Receives and disperses restitution payments; posts all payments received and distributed following guidelines established by law; reviews data to ensure accuracy; detects any errors and corrects accordingly.
8. Prepares and submits applications for grant funds; compiles and analyzes data; confers with judicial personnel, law enforcement agencies, community groups and victims of crime to determine needs; types and completes application and supporting documentation; reviews completed forms to verify complete and accurate data; obtains required authorizations; submits completed forms to appropriate agency.
9. Provides information, guidance and training to criminal justice agencies, community and service groups, educational personnel, and the public at large on issues related to victim rights. 

1. Answers telephones, taking messages or forwarding calls as appropriate.
2. Enters data from crime reports into computer system.
3. Retrieves and/or replaces client files.

Knowledge of: 
Structure and operations of the criminal justice system; the function and role of agencies available to assist victims; fundamental aspects of human behavior; interviewing techniques; general office practices and procedures.

Ability to:  
Provide emotional support to reduce trauma associated with being a victim of a crime; assess the needs of program clients; interpret and apply regulations concerning victims eligibility and rights; establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with agency staff, victims, law enforcement agencies, the courts and other community organizations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; perform clerical work of average difficulty; maintain accurate records; type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.

Education and Experience:  
Equivalent to the completion of an associate's degree in social science, behavioral science, criminology, administration of justice or a closely related field; and one year of experience related to work involving processes in the criminal justice or judicial system involving the provision of victim services, peer counseling or equivalent social service work; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Experience in interviewing is desirable.

Essential Duties require the following physical skills and work requirements:
Requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; some positions require sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as filing, data entry, and/or use of other office equipment or supplies.  Requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

License or Certificate:  
May require the possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license.

Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for this position includes completing an application and participating in oral interview(s).  Please notify the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date for this position if you believe you have a disability, which would make it difficult to participate in any portion of the recruitment process and would require reasonable accommodation. Sutter County reserves the right to require medical documentation concerning the need for accommodation. Offers of employment are contingent upon investigation of employment history, references, drug testing, medical review/exam and fingerprinting in addition to other appropriate requirements of the position.

NOTE: Sutter County utilizes E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.

The County of Sutter is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Sutter County encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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