Crime Victim Advocate

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Crime Victim Advocate

Salary

$20.29 Hourly

Location

Las Cruces, NM

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Job Number

G011 06-24 EN

Department

Police

Opening Date

06/28/2024

Closing Date

7/22/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Nature of Work

Performs casework services for victims of crimes by providing information, education, and other assistance.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in a standard office environment and may also require travel to various locations such as the courts, reporting to on-scene calls and hospitals with exposure to various hazards and all weather and traffic conditions.

Physical Factors

Light physical demands; mostly desk work. Frequent to constant use of a personal computer.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, and responding to issues. Also involves working extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; on-call status on a rotational basis twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

This posting may be utilized to fill other Crime Victim Advocate vacancies to include full time, part time, regular or grant funded.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Reviews law enforcement crime reports, victim files, and communicates with victims of crimes to provide guidance and assistance with available resources; reviews cases to determine victim assistance needs; acts as liaison with law enforcement and prosecutors to provide timely information and notify victims of case status, criminal proceedings, trials, and court hearings.

• Provides crisis intervention, counseling services, and information regarding the legal process and rights afforded under the law to assist and educate victims; advises victims of community resource programs to provide assistance to victims and their families; provides information and assistance within the scope of designated authority.

• Researches and provides information to address victim's questions and issues of concern; provides ongoing assistance and follow-up as the case progresses through the judicial process to provide the client with timely information and status.

• Performs as a court advocate, provides direct services such as transportation, hotel vouchers, and employment assistance and follows up with client progress and referrals to community agencies.

• Prepares and presents various special and recurring reports; reviews and verifies information and documentation, assists victims in completing forms and generating documents to meet standards and filing requirements; creates, updates, and maintains records and case files; conducts research to collect statistical data and compile information for reports; assures that all reports and paperwork is completed accurately and in a timely manner, and cases are resolved and documented according to established procedures and standards.

• Interacts with and provides information to community organizations and citizen groups to explain the objectives of the Victim Assistance Unit and dynamics of specific crimes; responds to requests for information and provides information within scope of authority.

Minimum Qualifications

College credit hours equivalent to an Associate’s degree, designated or undesignated, in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology or a related field and two (2) years of experience in social work, counseling, or crisis intervention. Must pass applicable background checks. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Criminal justice degree and crisis intervention experience preferred.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver’s license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are preferred. Additional technical certifications and training will be required for incumbents in this job class.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: applicable rules, regulations, and procedures to effectively perform the functions of the position; laws, statutes, rules, regulations, and policies governing victim’s rights and the release of information from criminal justice records; procedures and processes related to the criminal justice system and victim advocacy programs; interviewing skills; knowledge of community resources and community services programs; techniques and practices for efficient and effective management of resources; principles and practices of effective administrative management including record keeping and records management; customer service, problem resolution techniques, and effective communication principles, standards, and methods; methods and standards for preparing documentation and correspondence, appropriate business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, proofreading and editing; modern office equipment, business and personal computers, business office software applications, and report generation; City organization and related regulations, operations, and policies and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to:perform a variety of duties and responsibilities timely and with accuracy to meet deadlines; read, understand, interpret, and ensure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations governing related activities, programs, and functions; act calmly, rationally, and tactfully in carrying out duties and responsibilities; communicate appropriately and effectively orally and in writing; use sound judgment in decision-making; respond timely and effectively to inquiries and situations; research and compile applicable information and maintain accurate records; prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; review documents and extract relevant information; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees and the public; safely and effectively operate motor vehicles; use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines to successfully meet established goals and objectives.

Skills in: assessing victim needs and adversarial situations; crisis intervention techniques; maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all situations; conveying concern and empathy for crime victims; analyzing issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings to address issues and/or make recommendations to improve policies, processes, procedures, and methods; reading, interpreting, and communicating policies, regulations, and program information; preparing and presenting information for diverse audiences in a clear and concise manner; updating and maintaining complete and accurate records; reviewing and preparing reports, forms, and documentation; working independently, using initiative, and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines; operating standard office equipment and a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands to ensure achievement of goals and objectives.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Las Cruces,

Click here (http://www.las-cruces.org/207/Employee-Benefits)

01

Are you a current City of Las Cruces employee? (If you fail to include this information under the work experience section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process).

• Yes

• No

  02

  Do you have, at a minimum, the required College credit hours equivalent to an Associate's degree, designated or undesignated, in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology or a related field? (If you fail to include this information under the education section of the application, you may be disqualified from the selection process.)

• Yes

• No

  03

  I understand and accept that if my response is "YES" to the question above, I agree to provide proof of the required degree and/or transcript (official or unofficial) if recommended for the position.

• Yes

• No

  04

  This position requires two (2) years of experience in social work, counseling, or crisis intervention. Choose the applicable option based on your experience. (If you fail to include this information under the Work Experience section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process.)

• Less than two (2)

• Two (2) to four (4)

• More than four (4)

  05

  Please list below the employer(s) you work(ed) for, title of position(s), and length of time in the position that meets this experience criterion. This will be verified with the information supplied in the Work Experience section. If none, type N/A.

  06

  Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes

• No

  07

  If you answered "yes" to the previous question above, please indicate the type of license, license number, expiration date, any restrictions or endorsements, and the state that issued the license. If none, type N/A.

  08

  Although not required, bilingual skills in English/Spanish are desirable. Do you meet this preference?

• Yes

• No

  09

  I understand and accept that if I am being recommended for the position of Crime Victim Advocate, I will need to undergo a LCPD background check as part of the hiring process.

• Yes

• No

  Required Question

Agency

City of Las Cruces

Address

P.O. Box 20000Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88004

Phone

575-528-3100575-528-3100

Website

http://www.lascruces.gov

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