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Crime Victim Advocate

CIty of Acworth


Listing Summary

Position Summary
This position is responsible for initiating and facilitating communication, providing personal advocacy, support services, and assistance to victims of crimes.

Position Description
Essential Job Duties

  • Provides advocacy to survivors and family members of person-to-person crimes to help address their emotional, physical, and financial needs to reduce the impact of trauma.
  • Connect crime survivors to the investigators working on the case; provide information about crime victims’ compensation and other victims’ right and explain what to expect during various stages of the criminal justice process.
  • Acts as a liaison and support to survivors interfacing with the investigating agencies and Acworth Police Department, supporting victims during interviews.
  • Develop strong and effective working relationships with detective follow-up units and investigating agencies to empower, support and educate families and victims throughout the criminal justice process.
  • Provides recommendations and support to the department command staff in creating and maintaining protocols aligned with a victim-centered response.
  • Facilitates ongoing partnerships with local victim services agencies and other community resources to promote and secure the rights of victims in the aftermath of the crime.
  • Maintain case files, records, and track statistics related to the cases.
  • Collaborate with the community-based providers to ensure holistic wraparound support and attend multi-disciplinary team meetings on behalf of the Acworth Police Department and survivor.
  • Develop and maintain a network of relationships with police, prosecutors and other criminal justice representatives and collaborate with social service agencies and community organizations.
  • Advise victims of their rights and serve as liaison between victims and social service agencies.
  • Provides light case management including safety planning, emergency resources, housing and shelter resources, connection to support services, assistance obtaining interpreter services, legal assistance, and transportation.
  • Assists victims in obtaining protection orders and getting connected with additional safety resources through victim support funds.
  • Provides timely updates on court hearings and prosecution decisions to survivors throughout the criminal justice process; arranges court appearances for officers and/or staff.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge required by the position

  • Knowledge of principles, practices, and operating procedures of the police department.
  • Knowledge of Georgia Criminal Justice System and Georgia Victim Bill of Rights.
  • Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
  • Knowledge of caseload management and techniques.
  • Knowledge of local community resources and various community service programs.
  • Knowledge of the principles of record keeping and records management.
  • Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the release of information from law enforcement    records.
  • Skill in public relations and customer service.
  • Skill in staying calm while working with people in crisis situations.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
  • Skill in maintaining a non-judgmental attitude with genuine concern and empathy for crime victims.
  • Skill in interviewing, counseling, and investigative techniques applicable to victim’s assistance services.
  • Skill in assessing victim’s needs and adversarial situations.
  • Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.
  • Skill in effectively communicating verbally and in writing.

Supervisory Controls
The Lieutenant assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

Guidelines

Guidelines include federal, state, and local laws, department policies and procedures, criminal and traffic laws, and city ordinances.  These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Complexity/scope of work

  • The work consists of related administrative and analytical duties. The varied nature of crimes situations contributes to the complexity of the position.
  • The purpose of this position is to reduce the gap between victims, witnesses, community resources and law enforcement. Successful performance contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of department operations.

Contacts                 

  • Contacts are typically with victims, witnesses, families, department personnel, other city employees, representatives of other law enforcement agencies, and the general public. 
  • Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, interview persons, and resolve problems.

Physical demands/work environment

  • The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
  • The work is typically performed in an office but occasionally may require on scene work.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

None.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Knowledge commonly associated with the completion of a bachelor’s degree in a course of study related to the occupational field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Experience sufficient to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
  • Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issues by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

The qualifications listed above represent the credentials necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

 

Listing ends on:

4/23/2023