Victim Advocate (Client Assistance Specialist, Grade 20)

About The Position

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $67,672 to $98,010, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Who We Are

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department. As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

Who We Are Looking For

Behavioral Health and Crisis Services is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Client Assistance Specialist to join our Trauma Services team. In this role, you will provide comprehensive victim advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, human trafficking, and general crimes including homicide, physical assault, etc. What You'll Be Doing

• Provides victim advocacy services including court/medical accompaniment, assistance with filing protective/peace orders, filing charges, writing victim impact statements, etc.
• Provides crisis intervention and safety planning
• Completes intakes, assessments including danger assessments, CSSR
• Develops service plans
• Provides case management services including linking and referring to available community resources
• Supports during the sexual assault medical-forensic exam and during law enforcement and/or SAO interviews
• Collaborates with SAO’s Office, FJC, DVS, HOR, MCPD, Shady Grove Hospital, Trauma Services Staff and other internal and external resources and professionals
• Processes crime victim compensation for eligible crime survivors seeking compensation for losses according to the County code
• Serves as a liaison with Maryland’s State Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for those survivors whose losses exceed the limit of the local Crime Victim Compensation Fund
• Completes timely department and grant statistical reporting that is essential for quarterly state and federal grant report submissions.

Bilingual Applicants

Bilingual applicants in Amharic, Korean, French or Spanish languages are encouraged to apply.

Work Schedule

This position requires flexibility, as client needs, court schedules, hospital response, or crisis situations may occasionally require evening or weekend hours.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience: One (1) year of experience in human services that involved substantive client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral.
• Substitutions: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Medical Protocol

This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or general crimes.
• Experience or working knowledge of the criminal justice system and community resources.
• Experience providing crisis intervention, safety planning, assessments, service planning, or case management.
• Possession of a valid Victim Assistance VAS I VAS II or VAS III Certification through the Roper Victim Assistance Academy.
• Experience preparing statistical or written reports, case documentation, or grant-related reporting.
• Multilingual skills in any of the following languages: Amharic, French, Korean, or Spanish.