Social Worker

Victim Advocate

Provides clinical and advocacy services to victims of violent crimes in order to reduce traumatic impact and increase the victim's ability to participate in the criminal justice system. Provides community services under the direction of the Program Director. Provides administrative services in support of clinical and program functions.

Minimum Qualifications Grade 14 Master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work or other closely related field and be currently licensed as a CSW, Certified Social Worker, by the State of Utah.

Grade 15 Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work and be currently licensed as an LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, by the State of Utah.

All Grades Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must successfully pass an initial criminal background check as well as every two years thereafter and continuously meet the requirements of the Bureau of Criminal Information (BCI). Must possess a valid Utah Driver's License to operate either a personal or Salt Lake County vehicle.

Essential Functions The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the incumbent(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position.Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Meets with victims of violent crimes, their families, and significant others for initial intake and assessment.
• Educates victims of violent crimes, their families and significant others by providing information about the purpose and process of court proceedings and their participation in such hearings.
• Participate in Preliminary Hearings and Trial Preparation meetings with victims, witnesses, their family members and the assigned prosecuting attorney.
• Attends court hearings with victims of violent crimes, their families and significant others. Explains the court process as it unfolds and responds to questions, concerns and crises as they occur.
• Maintains contact with victims of violent crimes, their families and significant others throughout the court process
• Identifies those victims of violent crimes, their families and significant others in a heightened state of crisis. Utilizes therapeutic intervention techniques to reduce the effects of trauma, and makes referrals to other support services as clinically appropriate.
• Acts as a liaison between the victims of violent crimes, their families and significant others and the assigned prosecuting attorney, advising the attorney of their specific abilities, needs, and desired outcomes.
• Refers victims of violent crimes, their families and significant others to local resources as needed.
• Participates in and contributes clinical insight and accurate information regarding the effects of trauma to multi-disciplinary case staffings.
• Makes appropriate collateral contacts with other agencies serving the same client, coordinating information and services to meet the physical and emotional needs of victims, their families and significant others.
• Provides community services under the direction of the Program Manager to promote increased community awareness and response to victims of crimes and to provide education and information to community agencies and programs.
• Provides administrative services and support functions with regard to accurate documentation and record-keeping, participation in unit meetings for the purpose of information sharing, problem solving and receiving direction from the Program Director or designee.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) Knowledge of: Effective interviewing skills and evaluation techniques Different modes of psychotherapy, including crisis intervention Principles and techniques of behavior assessment and modification General psychological principles and concepts Abnormal psychology and diagnostic nomenclature Principles of individual, group and family therapy Fundamental understanding of social work concepts General knowledge of psychiatric and psycho-pharmaceutical treatment of mental disorders

Skills and Abilities to: Provide psychotherapy and crisis intervention treatment Communicate effectively verbally and in written form Respond professionally and calmly in crisis and other situations Evaluate and diagnose psychopathology Motivate and train others Perform various administrative duties Apply general principles to specific conditions Public relations skills

Important Information Regarding This Position Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.