Victim Witness Advocate

Classification Title

Victim Witness Advocate

Salary

$46,683.25 - $60,380.89

Department

Prosecuting Attorney

Opening Date

04/19/2024

Closing Date

04/26/2024 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

General Summary

Provides continuity and advocacy functions throughout the criminal justice process on behalf of crime victims who are required under State law to receive Program services.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Provides outreach services and consultation to the victims of crime with special needs, including but not limited to children, senior citizens, sexual assault victims and domestic violence victims.

Explains the criminal justice process and various court proceedings to victims.

Communicates with victims; provides emotional support and crisis intervention; accompanies victims to Court; provides case update information; and makes referrals to appropriate community agencies.

Documents case files; consults with assisting prosecuting attorneys regarding case information; acts as a liaison with community education and service agencies.

Provides follow-up for cases as necessary.

Provides victim information to probation departments and coordinates communication between victims and probation officers as necessary.

Accompanies victims through successive stages of the judicial system providing emotional support and practical information as needed.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field from an accredited college or universityPrevious experience working with the community or in human services

Required Licenses Or Certifications

Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Criminal justice processes and court proceedingsServices provided by various community agenciesMicrosoft Word, Excel and Google products

Skill In

Active ListeningMotivational interviewingCritical ThinkingJudgment and decision makingInterpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationshipsPerforming a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different natureWritten and oral communication skills

Ability To

Maintain effective working relationships with staff, community agencies, clients and the publicMaintain the confidentiality of client informationDeal effectively and tactfully with emotionally distressed clientsWork in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity CampaignEffectively speak, write and understand the English languageAbility to speak and understand a language other than English is preferredAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials,Administrators, Department Heads, staff, union officials and the publicAbility to conduct oneself with tact and courtesyUnderstand and carry out oral and/or written instructionsAccurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic filesWork independently

Work Environment/Conditions

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: O

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): N/S

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below):

Up to 34 pounds: O

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: N/S

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended):N/S

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: O

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

General Requirements And Disclaimers

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.

The Technical, Professional, Officeworkers Association of Michigan (TPOAM) - Specialized Employees bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.