Victims Advocate - Family Services

Salary: $37,211.20 Annually

Job Summary

The City of Greenville Police Department seeks a dynamic individual to serve as a Victim's Advocate. The purpose of this position is to provide advice and assistance to victims and witnesses of crimes and to protect their rights.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Examples of Duties

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Makes oral presentations before business, civic, school, church, and other groups, as appropriate, on topics pertaining to the rights of victims.
• Assists with applications for victim's compensation and Domestic Violence Protective Orders.
• Coordinates the transfer of victim assistance following the close of the investigation and the beginning of the criminal court involvement to the District Attorney's Victim/Witness Assistant.
• Makes referrals and provides case information to other agencies as needed.
• Coordinates and supplements victim assistance, as needed, with the Pitt County Victims Advocate.
• Educates victims and witnesses about the rights and services available to them. Maintains a catalog of public and private services available to victims.
• Protects and defends the rights of victims whenever possible, following the guidelines of Article 45 of the Criminal Procedure Act: NCGS 15A-824 and 15A-825.
• Prepares case reports and logs case data into the department's case tracking computer program. Prepares various narrative and statistical reports as required.
• Prepares presentation materials to effectively educate the public on victim and witness needs, rights, and services.
• Collects reports and forms associated with cases such as investigation and arrest records. Maintains documentation on each case describing the services provided by the advocate. Notifies victims of any arrests pertaining to their case.
• Attends probationary hearings, first appearance hearings, domestic violence protection orders hearings, and domestic violence court as needed. Provides transportation for victims to and from the court and provides emotional support during court trials.
• Works with various community service agencies that may assist victims, witnesses, and their families. Meets with, or makes contact with, public and private agencies, such as social services, the Domestic Violence Center, and psychiatric services to determine and maintain a network of social and emotional support services.
• Provides assistance to victims and witnesses of a wide range of crimes, primarily domestic violence and sexual abuse. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with victims, witnesses, and their families and provides guidance, and counseling.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in human services, social work, or related field preferred; AND
• Minimum of one year's experience in the human services field, some experience should include working with victims/witnesses.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge Of

• Available community services.
• Problem-solving techniques.
• Laws, practices, and procedures that relate to victims' rights and available community services.

Skilled in:

• Verbal communication including speaking in a court setting.

Ability to:

• Meet and deal courteously and effectively with the general public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with police officers, city officials, and cooperating agency personnel
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Maintain moral standards and integrity, dependability, and tact.
• Communicate and deal effectively with people and establish a good rapport with them and other community services agencies.
• Operate assigned equipment, including computer equipment and various software packages.
• Deal calmly, tactfully, yet firmly with persons in a wide range of emotional states.

Special Requirements

• Eligible candidates must submit to an interview process, background checks, medical exam, and drug screen.
• Must reside within the Greenville Fire Rescue & Police Residency Area within six months following the completion of the initial employment probationary period.
• Selection process typically takes 1-3 months but can vary depending on circumstances.
• Must currently possess a valid driver's license issued by N.C. (Note: A valid driver's license is a current driver's license that is not revoked, suspended, or subject to limited restoration or conditional operation privileges).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
• NC Victim Service Practitioner Certification preferred but not required.
• Candidates who do not successfully complete the selection process are eligible to reapply for other City job vacancies.

The City of Greenville offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance. Employees in designated part-time positions may participate in some of the benefit programs offered to regular full-time employees.

Visit the City of Greenville Human Resources Website for a more in depth summary of our benefits.

Closing Date/Time: 8/22/2023 11:59 PM Eastern