Victim Advocate

Full job description
The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.
HIRING RANGE: $34.42 - $38.42/hour
Serves as victim advocate, providing support to victims and witnesses of crimes. Provides victims with information regarding their case. Responds to crisis situations to provide intervention, comfort to victims and makes referrals to support agencies.
This position will work a shift of Monday-Thursday, 12pm-10pm.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Acting on behalf of the Lakewood Police Department Victim Assistance Unit, provides victims and witnesses of criminal offenses and/or crisis situations the support and aid necessary to mentally and physically adjust to their victimization.
Provides victims with case status, custody status of perpetrators, status of victim compensation benefits.
Receives general supervision from Victim Witness Assistance Supervisor who is available to resolve unusual work problems.
Responds to crisis situations reported to the Police Department to provide intervention, comfort and referral to supportive agencies as needed.
Assist with property return to victims after being released by appropriate personnel.
Assists with the education of sworn and non-sworn personnel of the Police Department about crime victim/witness services and their access to the system.
Provides referral information, initiates outreach contacts where appropriate, and facilitates financial compensation, as needed.
Reviews crime reports to identify and contact crime victims/witnesses whose circumstances comply with the United States Public Law Act of October 12, 1+81, and House Bill 10+3.
Supervises assigned volunteers or specific programs.
Responds to crisis calls including domestic violence, *** assaults, death investigations, robberies, and other such calls.
Responds to a variety of calls via mobile unit, usually in the evening hours.
Assesses needs and provide municipal court services to victims, coordination with treatment providers, and provide crisis intervention services.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Must be able to interact with others in a positive manner.
Requires regular and prompt attendance.

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS
Prepares reports and case files for review by this agency and other agencies, e.g. District Attorney, Social Services, Courts, etc.
Utilizes outreach programs to educate identified crime victims/witnesses, as well as the general public about the criminal justice system.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Supervision Received
Receives general supervision from the Victim Witness Assistance Supervisor.

Supervision Given
None.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or human services related field from an accredited college/university.

Experience
Experience in victim assistance or victimology is preferred.

Licensure/Registration/Certification
Valid driver’s license and good motor vehicle record required.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Must be available for services on-call either day or night, as scheduled or needed.
A polygraph examination, oral board interview, pre- and post-offer psychological examination, background investigation, reference checks, credit check and hair follicle drug test are required.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, other departments, agencies, and the general public.
Good judgment and problem-solving abilities.
Good organizational skills.
Ability to work shifts.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
Knowledge of police procedures and criminal law related to domestic violence cases.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Computer skills.
Ability to remain calm and communicate effectively with victims in crisis situations.
Bi-lingual (Spanish-speaking) is a desirable qualification.
Due to the nature of the work, an employee in this position may be considered essential. Essential personnel are determined by the chain of command, the type of emergency and the human resources needed.

Please note that the selection process is very thorough and takes a significant amount of time before a hiring decision is made. Applicants can reasonably expect the process to take approximately 8 weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. Due to the testing protocols and background investigation, this time estimate may vary.
LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work

Physical Demands
Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
Sit, stand or be stationary
Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, and inspect, etc.
Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include
Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed
Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs. with or without assistance
Pay Range
$2+.43-$38.24
Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.