DETENTION CENTER - Victim's Advocate

To assist primary and secondary victims, as well as witnesses of crimes that occur in Horry County. Provides appropriate personnel with the name of the victim advocate who will be available for callout each day/weekend. Provides assistance to victims in which there is a death, serious injury or serious emotional trauma to the victim or the victim's family. Provides immediate and temporary crisis counseling to primary, and if necessary, secondary victims and witnesses. Assists the immediate needs of the victim. Refers to appropriate community service organizations and agencies. Assists community agencies and organizations in working with victim/witnesses. Assists victim/witnesses through the criminal justice system. Assists officers and detectives to provide assistance and information on cases. Assists victims in filing for compensation from the State Bureau of Crimes Compensation and Victim/Witness Services. Serves as a liaison for the victim within the Department. Submits supplemental reports on cases when appropriate. Maintains a log of all cases in which involved. At no time will confidential information pertaining to a victim or a victim's case be presented to or discussed with anyone not officially involved in the case. Transports victim/witnesses when necessary and the case load permits. Provides appropriate assistance to victim/witnesses who have been threatened or who, in the judgment of the agency, express specific, credible reasons for fearing intimidation or further victimization. Contacts victim/witness on a periodic basis if it appears that the impact of the crime has been unusually severe. Acts as a liaison with other criminal justice agencies and institutions concerned with victim/witness needs. Trains sworn and non-sworn personnel about the existence and function of the program at least once every two (2) years. Trains sworn and non-sworn personnel who have contact with victim/witnesses about the rights and needs of victim/witnesses under current policies. Assures victim/witnesses are advised of the status of their cases, including the arrests and release of suspects, as possible. Assists in the notification of the family when an employee is killed or seriously injured in the line-of-duty and all Class I, II, III procedures, consistent with written directives. Assists the family at the hospital, funeral and/or with legal and benefit matters. Maintains a long-term contact with the family to assist in any way. The intent of this class description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that would be required of classifications given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbent may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description. Knowledge of: Laws and regulations related to victim/witness' rights, the criminal justice system; Superior, District and Juvenile Courts procedures; local support and health services; principles and practices of victim advocacy services and accessing resources including crisis intervention services. Relevant court mandates, laws, rules and regulations pertaining to confinement in a juvenile detention center and as applied to juvenile detainee rights. Department policies, rules, regulations, procedures and division functions. Principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment used in juvenile detention facilities. Human behavior as it relates to juveniles, including various social, economic and cultural backgrounds. Search, transportation and restraint procedures. Principles and practices of leadership, supervision and training. Methods of providing counseling to juveniles. Law enforcement and public relations activities. Legal and juvenile court procedures. Ability to: Deal with victims/witnesses in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner. Maintain high level of confidentiality. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees. Maintain liaison with other criminal justice agencies and institutions concerned with victim/witness needs. Be on call 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week and to be available for a call to any crisis in which an officer or detective needs assistance with the victim or a victim's family. Minimum: An Associate Degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of experience in related work involving contact with the public; or the equivalent in education, training, and experience, which would provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. A Bachelor Degree is preferred. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid South Carolina driver’s license. #J-18808-Ljbffr