Victim Witness Advocate - 0624

Job Summary

Under general direction and in compliance with standard operating procedures and policies, ensures that each victim and/or witness of criminal offenses which occur within the City of Greenville are provided their constitutional rights as established by SC legislation S.616 known as the "Victim's Bill of Rights." Responsible for educating crime victims of the criminal justice system and the Victim Witness Assistance Program to minimize psychological, physical, financial, and emotional effects on crime victims. Receives and reviews all daily incident reports to identify and contact victim/witnesses with possible real needs for emotional and physical support. Responds to "on the scene" calls at the discretion and approval of on-scene uniform or Investigative field supervisors. Provides a full range of services, including assistance with crisis intervention, court support, compensation claims, case status updates, community referrals to other agencies/resources and community awareness. Trains volunteer Victim/Witness Advocates.

Essential Functions

  % of Time

• Provide Services and Support to Crime Victims/Witnesses: In compliance with SC Code of Laws 16-3-1520, assist victims/witnesses with completing forms or referrals to other agencies and provide crisis counseling and intervention. Respond to the location of "in-progress/just occurred" incidents at the discretion and approval of on-scene uniform or Investigative field supervisors. Receive and review all daily incident reports to identify victim/witnesses with possible real needs for emotional and physical support. Attempt to make contact with victim/witness in-person, by phone or by mail to offer assistance with financial, emotional, and/or physical support and recovery. Write follow-up letters to victims/witnesses with information about services, resources, court hearings, etc. Assist as needed with emergency referrals or direct assistance as well as supportive services during investigation and criminal prosecutions and support services after case disposition. Emergency referrals or direct assistance may include medical care; emergency food supplies; provision of clothing and shelter; financial and child assistance; transportation; repair or clean-up of property; death notification; and assistance with body identification. Supportive services during investigation may include: supportive individual counseling; assistance with victim compensation applications; assistance with private insurance claims; employer, landlord and creditor intervention; appropriate social services referrals; consultation and networking with hospitals, medical and mental health professionals; referral to the investigative officer if victim is inquiring about the status of stolen, recovered or removed property is needed; information regarding arrest and detention status of suspects(s), bail and pre-trial release; information regarding victim compensation; information regarding protection, continuing shelter and restraining orders; specific information regarding the criminal justice system; and accompaniment to physical lineups and court, if desired. Supportive services available during criminal prosecutions include: coordination of victim appearances at court and limiting the number of appearances, if desired, and if possible; notification of case progress by phone or personal contacts; Personal support through any hearings, interviews and the trial, if desired; transportation to and from court, if necessary; the opportunity for victims to express to the judge or the solicitor's office their opinions regarding restitution, diversions, dismissals, and plea bargains; a place in the court house which is safe and separate from suspect(s) and defense witnesses; assistance in preparing impact statements for use in plea bargaining and sentencing; and provision of a court room walk-through to victims, if desired. Support services available after case disposition include: informing the victim of the offender's status following the disposition of the case, if requested; informing the victim(s) of their rights regarding the provision of a victim impact statement at a parole hearing, and advising the victim of the date and location of the hearing; providing personal support during appeals or motions for a new trial; referral of long-term counseling and social services; notification to the probation department when restitution is not made or violation of restraining orders or other conditions of probation; and accompanying the victim to any parole hearings.

65%

• Serve as Department Victim Witness Advocate Community Liaison: Plan and participate in community awareness events and meetings. Develop and implement educational and preventive crime programs to increase community awareness of victim's rights and the victim/witness assistance program, domestic violence awareness. Network with and maintain a close relationship with other agencies in the community by attending monthly meetings, community outreach events, and offering community training. Attend regular meetings and network with other local and state, and community agencies that offer resources to victims/witnesses of crime in general. In collaboration with other community agencies. Attend functions to represent the Greenville Police Department as a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate in support of local, state, and national efforts.

25%

• Perform Victim/Witness Administrative Tasks: Enter victim/witnesses' information to the Victim Service Unit database and maintain the information updated. Maintain filing system. Keep statistical records of victim contacts. Provide mandated information and reports to other agencies. Produce monthly status reports on victim witness activity to the Sergeant of the Criminal Investigation Division. Maintain and distribute schedule for On-Call Victim Advocate for emergency call response. The on-duty/on-call Crime Victim Advocate and/or volunteer staff will respond to "on the scene" calls at the discretion and approval of on-scene Investigations supervisors. Train volunteer Victim Advocates and keep them informed of upcoming training available towards state certification requirements or training pertaining to Victim Services.

10%

Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Associate degree in social services or a related field.

• Over two years of experience in social services and/or customer relations experience.

• Victim Service Provider certification within one (1) year of hire.

• Member of the S.C. Law Enforcement Victim Advocate Association within two (2) years of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience and/or training in business and/or law enforcement.

• Fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish.

Driver's License Requirements

• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver's License.

Performance Requirements

Knowledge of:

• SC Crime Victim's laws related to Crime Victim Compensation Fund.

• Criminal justice system and how cases are processed through to completion.

• Resources in the community to aid the victim and/or family unit in seeking necessary assistance.

• Process to obtain restraining and/or protection orders to assist domestic violence victims.

Ability to:

• Ability to explain the criminal justice system as it relates to an individual's case.

• Regularly work within situations requiring confidentiality.

• Read and comprehend policies, guidelines, manuals, and professional journals.

• Deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.

• Write reports, prepare business letters, summaries, and emails using proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.

• Drive a City vehicle to meet individuals in the field/respond to "on the scene" calls as necessary.

• Utilize specialized software and systems.

• Operate general office equipment to include scanner, printer, copier, telephone, and computer with Microsoft Office Suite.

Working Conditions

Primary Work Location:  Office environment.

Protective Equipment Required:  PPE for blood borne pathogens if needed on crime scene.

Environmental/Health and Safety Factors:

Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work. Seasonal exposure to extreme temperature, wetness and/or humidity, respiratory hazards, and physical hazards.

Physical Demands:

Occasionally requires pushing/pulling, bending, crouching/stooping, kneeling, standing, walking, and foot controls. Sedentary strength demands include exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Mental Demands:

Frequently requires time pressures, frequent change of tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, working closely with others as part of a team, tedious or exacting work, and noisy/distracting environment. Occasionally requires emergency situations and irregular schedule/overtime.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The City of Greenville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Prospective and current employees should contact Human Resources to request an ADA accommodation.

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.