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VICTIM'S ADVOCATE

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Candidates Encouraged to Apply

Recruitment #19-BY4-01

Introduction

Definition

THE JOB: Under general supervision, provides direct services to victims and witnesses of crime; establishes and maintains working relationships with other criminal justice agencies and selective public and private human service agencies; provides information to victims and witnesses of crime about the criminal justice system; and performs other work as required. The current vacancy is for an advocate in the District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, is adaptable to change, appreciates diversity and works well in a team. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies during the life of the eligible list. * Please note: the official title of the position is Victim Services Representative.

Employment Standards

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these would be:

Equivalent to completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, which included at least 12 semester units or 18 quarter units in criminology, corrections, social work, psychology, sociology or other closely related social/behavioral science field,

AND

One year of experience in providing counseling or assistance to individuals in an agency which provides direct human services to the public which included interviewing, casework or one year of experience in claims review,

OR

Two years of experience in providing counseling or assistance to individuals in an agency which provides direct human services to the public which included interviewing, casework or two years of experience in claims.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: License Requirements: Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority. Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation. Other Special Requirements: Incumbents may be required to work outside of normal business hours. Independent travel may be required.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of techniques for gaining rapport with and cooperation of emotional and reticent individuals, who may be members of a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic groups; basic psychological dynamics of individuals in crisis; standard office procedures and record keeping practices; basic arithmetic and basic statistical methods and procedures; methods of organizing work and caseload management; and methods, practices and terminology used in accounting clerical work. Some knowledge of laws and procedures of criminal justice agencies as they affect the responsibilities and rights of victims and witnesses of crime; State and Federal agencies and programs that provide reimbursement and assistance to victims of crime; community resources available to victims and witnesses; and needs, attitudes, and problems of persons from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Ability to: Develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of traumatized individuals; interpret, explain and apply laws, rules, and regulations related to victim services programs; relate to a wide variety of individuals from different socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic groups; review and evaluate data, weighing alternatives and determining the appropriate course of action; research, develop and use community resources; assess needs and refer victims and witnesses to the appropriate community agencies; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with victims and/or witnesses and their families, departmental staff, law enforcement officers, attorneys and community agencies and others contacted during the course of work; interact effectively with emotionally upset, hostile or uncooperative victims and witnesses; plan and organize work; coordinate volunteers providing support services for crime victims and witnesses; deal with graphic accounts of brutal crimes; prepare and maintain clear, concise and accurate correspondence, reports, records and other written materials; speak in public before a variety of groups and organizations; train and supervise volunteers and interns; work under stressful, time-defined filing requirements; prioritize tasks and manage a caseload with minimal supervision; understand the Government and Penal Code sections relating to the VOCP; effectively interview victims and/or witnesses, families and other individuals to obtain information on a variety of complex and sensitive subjects; input, access and analyze data using a computer; accompany victims and witnesses to locations away from the office, such as to homes, jails, or hospitals, in order to conduct interviews; analyze and evaluate financial losses resulting from injuries; and exercise initiative and resourcefulness in locating other assistance programs in order to facilitate reimbursement.

Benefits

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave.

HOLIDAYS - 13 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.

MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.

DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.

VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.

RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years.  County participates in Social Security. 

LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.

DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.

DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”

H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.

HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees

Selection Plan

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. 

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.  

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

County of Santa Cruz

                         

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