Victim Advocate - County Attorney

Department: County Attorney; Job Type: Classified; Classification: 5751 - Victim Advocate; Salary Grade: 9.

About the role

The Pima County Attorney's Office is hiring for multiple Victim Advocate positions in the Juvenile and Felony Victim Advocate units. These positions establish communication with victims and/or witnesses, provide crisis intervention services, advise victims of their statutory rights, keep victims and/or witnesses informed regarding their cases, provide referrals to appropriate community resources, and serve as a liaison between victims and/or witnesses and the Pima County Attorney's Office personnel.

Responsibilities

• Respond to requests from law enforcement and other concerned parties to provide crisis intervention services for crime victims and witnesses.
• Assist clients in meeting immediate needs, including bodily safety, medical care, legal services, food, transport, clothing, and shelter; refer clients, when appropriate, to other public or private service providers.
• Conduct development-appropriate crisis interventions with children of all ages and educate parents/caregivers on how to recognize and mitigate crisis reactions.
• Provide information to victims and witnesses concerning their statutory rights and the procedures of the criminal justice system, facilitating their communication with various representatives of criminal justice agencies.
• Maintain contact with victims and witnesses as needed and accompany them to court to provide support and information, serving as a liaison between the victim and attorneys and consulting with attorneys regarding trial preparation/victim opinion.
• Assist victims in applying for compensation through the Pima County Crime Victim Compensation Board.
• Document client services, contacts, and referrals in a designated database.
• Prepare and deliver training to volunteers, law enforcement, social service agencies and the public regarding crime victim issues.
• Perform staff back-up duties to support and advise volunteers during weeknights, weekends, and holidays, coordinating and directing volunteers performing crisis intervention services or court duties.
• Maintain appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with county attorney staff as well as personnel from law enforcement, medical, and social services agencies.
• Participate in staff meetings and ongoing training.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social or behavioral science, criminal justice, public administration or a closely related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment.
• One year of experience in the area of assignment or other closely related field (one calendar year of experience in the Pima County Victim Witness Volunteer Program, which encompasses a minimum of 240 volunteer hours, satisfies this requirement).
• Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.
• Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application.
• Valid driver license required at time of application; valid AZ driver license required at time of appointment.
• Successful applicant subject to a 39‑month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles.
• Must pass pre‑employment background check, including verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history.
• Post‑job offer physical and/or drug screen required.
• Post‑job offer proof of immunization(s) and/or TB screening required.
• Physical/sensory abilities: bending, climbing, kneeling, reaching, stooping; grasping; hearing in noisy areas, on radio, behind themselves and equipment alarms; speaking in person, on phone and on radio; vision to operate motor vehicle, depth perception, peripheral.
• Working conditions determined by position.

Qualifications

• Experience working with victims of crime in the criminal justice system.
• Experience in crisis response and/or intervention.
• Experience with social service or mental health service provision.
• Graduate of the Pima County Attorney's Office Victim Witness Basic Crisis Training.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Pay

Hiring range: $24.66 – $29.60 per hour. Pay range (full compensation range): $24.66 – $34.53 per hour.