Victim Advocate

General Function

The Victim Advocate provides crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy services to victims and families affected by crime or traumatic incidents. This position serves as a liaison between victims, law enforcement, and community resources to ensure victims’ rights are upheld and that they receive timely and appropriate services. The Victim Advocate responds to crime scenes, provides follow-up support, and guides victims through the criminal justice process with a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides immediate crisis intervention, emotional support, and assistance to victims of crime or trauma, both at the scene and during follow-up contact.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement officers, detectives, and other first responders to assess victims’ needs and ensure appropriate services are provided.
• Affords victims and families in navigating the criminal justice system, including court accompaniment, case updates, and explanation of victims’ rights under Florida law.
• Coordinates emergency services, including shelter placement, transportation, medical care, counseling referrals, and other community-based resources.
• Aids victims in completing applications for Victim Compensation and other support programs through the Office of the Attorney General.
• Develops individualized safety plans and provides education on risk reduction and available legal protections, including injunctions and restraining orders.
• Maintains regular follow-up contact with victims to ensure ongoing support, service continuity, and case progress.
• Documents all case activities in accordance with department and grant requirements, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy of victim records.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with community organizations to enhance available victim services and referral options.
• Participates in community outreach, public education, and training initiatives related to victim services, crime prevention, and trauma-informed care.
• Attends required trainings to maintain compliance with Victim Services Practitioner Designation Certification and VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) standards.
• Participates in on-call rotation and responds to emergencies after hours, weekends, and holidays as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related field is required. Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Must have at least three (3) years of experience in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, or social services. Additional experience working in a law enforcement or victim-centered setting is preferred.
• Must obtain Victim Services Practitioner Designation Certification from the Florida Attorney General’s Office within one (1) year of hire.
• Crisis Response or NOVA certification preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, crisis response, and victims’ rights laws.
• Ability to provide empathetic and effective communication with victims and families in crisis.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and case management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and work collaboratively with law enforcement, courts, and community partners.
• Flexibility to respond to emergencies and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as part of an on-call rotation.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Must pass an extensive background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, criminal history screening, a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and a Driver’s License review.