Crime Victim Advocate

JOB OVERVIEW

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

 

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT PAID SARPY COUNTY EMPLOYEES 

Under the technical direction of the Lead Advocate and the general supervision of the Director or designee, performs a variety of skilled administrative, professional, and technical work requiring considerable responsibility and independent judgment.
 

 

 

Assist crime victims by explaining and clarifying a vast array of criminal justice information in order to make the court process understandable. 

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the general public.

Initiate first contact with crime victims, to include scheduling and participating in meetings. 

Guide victims through the court processes, to include, but not limited to, depositions, various hearings, trials and sentencing. 

Assist prosecutors in preparing victims and witnesses for trials and depositions. 

Assist victims with restitution compensations, property retrieval, and other resolutions as it pertains to victimization. 

Comply with the Nebraska Crime Victims’ Rights Statue by notifying crime victims of court dates, status of criminal case, and plea negotiations.     

Attend court proceedings with victims, and explain process. . 

Meet with law enforcement, community leaders, school representatives, etc. to collaborate on protocols for community safety and intervention. 

Educate and apply crisis intervention information and techniques to crime victims/ witnesses.

Represent the Victim Witness Unit and participate in community meetings and/ or community task force, including but not limited to, the Child Abuse and Neglect Team and the Sarpy County Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse. 

Assist crime victims in obtaining Domestic Abuse or Harassment Protection Orders and accompany crime victims to civil court hearings if possible.

Update and maintain data base on caseload, to include sufficient notes of case events, meetings with victims, etc. 

Read, review, and notate police reports and attorney files for documentation of specific case information.

Provide documentation to support staff for the preparation of a hard file and letter notification.

Gain and maintain working knowledge of information on community resources to meet the needs of crime victims.

Keep current with regulatory, professional, and clinical advances.

Report to work with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.

 

Peripheral Duties

Serve as a member of various committees as assigned.

Perform other duties as directed and assigned.

 

 

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree* in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Human Services or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Three (3) years of related experience*. 

Successful completion of Victim Advocacy Training. 

Bilingual skills preferred but not required.