Victim Advocate-District Attorney's Office

Pay Range: $31.94 - $39.29 Hourly

About the role

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is seeking Victim Advocates to join our team of dedicated professionals. We strive for a fair, open, and just system that promotes public safety through effective prosecution and are committed to the open and balanced administration of justice, honoring and respecting diversity in all forms. The office is a national leader in innovative specialty court programs and is committed to fully implementing Victims’ Rights as embodied in Oregon law.

As a Victim Advocate, you will ensure crime victims are informed and supported in the criminal and juvenile justice system, providing advocacy that accords them due dignity and respect. You will assist victims and family members through the aftermath of a crime, orient them to the criminal justice system, keep them informed, and ensure their rights are honored at every step. This role involves collaborating with Deputy District Attorneys, law enforcement, system, and community partners to improve access, coordinate services, and create system improvements to support victims and survivors.

Schedule

These positions are typically Monday through Friday from either 8:00 am to 4:30 pm or 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, as assigned by the Supervisor. An 8:00 am to 5:00 pm schedule with an hour-long lunch is also an option.

Responsibilities

• Provide orientation to the criminal justice system, investigation process, and post-conviction systems.
• Prepare and accompany victims to court hearings, law enforcement interviews, and other related meetings.
• Explain complex processes in a trauma-informed manner, allowing victims to make informed decisions, including applicable rights and options for exercising those rights.
• Assist victims with logistical issues to appear in court, such as transportation, interpreter services, and childcare.
• Assist with applications for Crime Victims’ Compensation and the Address Confidentiality Program; provide referrals to other resources.
• Assist with restitution processes.
• Help victims/survivors report new and historical crimes to law enforcement and document injuries.
• Provide crisis intervention and conduct safety-planning, including:
  • Creating personal safety plans.
  • Assisting with information about protective orders.
  • Communicating needs and perspectives to prosecutors, pretrial release, and probation departments to support victims exercising their rights, increasing safety, and keeping them informed.
• Provide notice to victims of their rights as soon as practicable; explain how to request specific rights and document all rights asserted.
• Provide information and options for exercising rights at each stage of the criminal justice process, including post-conviction systems and notifications.
• Keep victims updated on case status; monitor cases for qualifying actions or hearings and provide timely notification via phone, in person, or in writing as appropriate.
• Communicate with prosecutors and appropriate parties about victim participation, needs, accommodations, statements to the court, and rights asserted.
• Provide information about victim impact statements and other opportunities to address the court.
• Establish and maintain accurate and current contact information for victims, including alternate contacts.
• Assist in the design and delivery of training, community outreach, and education for internal and external partners, members of the public, and victims of crime.
• Participate in volunteer training and ongoing volunteer meetings.
• Provide feedback and attend victim services meetings/work groups; contribute to system improvements to better serve victims/survivors.
• Complete required training, including but not limited to State Victim Assistance Academy, Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, Address Confidentiality Program, and Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy trainings.
• Update computerized case tracking system; maintain records, accurate case notes, data entry, and communicate relevant case information.
• Submit memorandum of activities and statistics for grant reports or court hearings as requested.

Requirements

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required.

• Required Minimum Qualifications / Transferable Skills:
  • Associate degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field.
  • One (1) to four (4) years of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the duties of the position (Equivalency: 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).
  • Ability to work with people in crisis and understand the impacts of trauma, abuse, and vicarious trauma.
  • Experience working with high-level confidential information.
  • Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including covering for coworkers.
  • Flexibility and ability to work well under pressure with time sensitivity.
  • Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.
• Preferred Special Qualifications/Transferable Skills:
  • Advanced understanding of cultures, customs, and social experiences of communities experiencing marginalization and barriers to opportunity, and the ability to apply this to program and system practices.
  • Bilingual skills in Spanish.
  • Knowledge of resources and agencies that support victims/survivors.
  • Experience providing direct services to victims of crime and/or knowledge of victim advocacy, criminal justice procedures, or victim rights under Oregon law.
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field.

Candidates must successfully pass a thorough criminal background check and post-offer urine drug screen. You will be asked to sign a disclosure statement about the arrests and convictions of immediate family members and close relations pursuant to the policy regarding Outside Associations.

Benefits

Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees, including:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription through Moda or Kaiser Permanente).
• Public Employees Retirement Service (PERS) Pension Plan.
• Generous paid leave.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts.
• Access to a free TriMet bus pass.
• Wellness resources.