Victim Advocate

Victim Advocate

The Victim Advocate provides crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy services to victims and families affected by crime or traumatic incidents. This position serves as a liaison between victims, law enforcement, and community resources to ensure victims' rights are upheld and that they receive timely and appropriate services. The Victim Advocate responds to crime scenes, provides follow-up support, and guides victims through the criminal justice process with a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach.

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Police Administrative Coordinator (Grants) Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides immediate crisis intervention, emotional support, and assistance to victims of crime or trauma, both at the scene and during follow-up contact.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement officers, detectives, and other first responders to assess victims' needs and ensure appropriate services are provided.
• Assists victims and families in navigating the criminal justice system, including court accompaniment, case updates, and explanation of victims' rights under Florida law.
• Coordinates emergency services, including shelter placement, transportation, medical care, counseling referrals, and other community-based resources.
• Aids victims in completing applications for Victim Compensation and other support programs through the Office of the Attorney General.
• Develops individualized safety plans and provides education on risk reduction and available legal protections, including injunctions and restraining orders.
• Maintains regular follow-up contact with victims to ensure ongoing support, service continuity, and case progress.
• Documents all case activities in accordance with department and grant requirements, maintaining confidentiality and accuracy of victim records.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with community organizations to enhance available victim services and referral options.
• Participates in community outreach, public education, and training initiatives related to victim services, crime prevention, and trauma-informed care.
• Attends required trainings to maintain compliance with Victim Services Practitioner Designation Certification and VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) standards.
• Participates in on-call rotation and responds to emergencies after hours, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Performs other job-related work as assigned or required.

Type of Appointment/Work hours: Full-time/Regular in-person position. Standard workweek, which is forty (40) hours of work per week usually consisting of five (5) days of eight (8) hours per day. The workday may be varied for the efficient delivery of public service. Will be required to work other than the standard workweek on occasion, including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. Will be required to work occasional overtime or shift assignments, if applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related field is required. Master's degree in a related field preferred.
• Must have at least three (3) years of experience in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, or social services. Additional experience working in a law enforcement or victim-centered setting is preferred.
• Must obtain Victim Services Practitioner Designation Certification from the Florida Attorney General's Office within one (1) year of hire.
• Crisis Response or NOVA certification preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, crisis response, and victims' rights laws.
• Ability to provide empathetic and effective communication with victims and families in crisis.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and case management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and work collaboratively with law enforcement, courts, and community partners.
• Flexibility to respond to emergencies and work evenings, weekends, and holidays as part of an on-call rotation.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Must pass an extensive background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, criminal history screening, a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and a Driver's License review.

Equivalency Clause: An equivalent combination of High School Diploma, training, and at least 10 years of experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered in lieu of the stated education and experience requirements. Substitution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine relevance and comparability.

Physical and Environmental Demands or Conditions: The physical and environmental demands for this position have been listed on the last page of this description. Physical and environmental demands must be met to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.

Core Competencies

• Judgment - Sound decisions based on fact; uses logic to solve problems.
• Quality of Work - Performs work thoroughly, accurately, and professionally.
• Reliability - Timely and consistently completes assigned work; consistently reports to work and is punctual.
• Safety - Committed to ensuring a safe environment and complies with applicable safety standards.
• Technical Capability - Applies knowledge to identify issues and works to develop skills; demonstrates knowledge of techniques, skills, and equipment.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance: The employee must successfully pass a background screening process and comply with the City's Drug-Free Workplace policy. The City will also verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired so the proper completion of Form I-9 is required, which includes the employee providing documents evidencing identity and employment authorization.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Qualifying individuals with disabilities may be provided reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform the essential functions. Veteran's Preference Policy: In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, the City of Homestead complies with Florida law by providing Veterans' Preference in hiring. Qualified applicants, including veterans, spouses, widows/widowers, parents of service members, and current reserve or National Guard members, may receive hiring priority if they meet minimum qualifications and can perform the duties required. Veterans' Preference includes additional points on exams, prioritized placement on employment lists, and education waivers for certain qualified individuals. This preference ensures eligible candidates are considered fairly at all stages of the hiring process. For questions, contact the Human Resources Department.