Victim Advocate-District Attorney's Office

Pay Range: $31.94 - $39.29 Hourly Department: District Attorney Job Type: Regular Represented Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt) The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is seeking applications for Victim Advocates to join our team of dedicated professionals. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office is considered one of the nation’s leaders in innovative specialty court programs. We strive for a fair, open and just system that promotes public safety through effective prosecution. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is committed to the open and balanced administration of justice – one that honors and respects diversity in all of its forms. MCDA is committed to full implementation of Victims’ Rights as embodied in Oregon law. Your role as a Victim Advocate is to ensure crime victims are informed and supported in the criminal and juvenile justice system. This will be done in a professional, meaningful way to accord them due dignity and respect. You will provide advocacy assisting crime victims and family members through the aftermath of a crime, orienting them to the criminal justice system, keeping them informed and ensuring their rights are honored at every step of the process. You will be working collaboratively with our Deputy District Attorneys, law enforcement, system and community partners to improve access, coordinate services and create system improvements to support victims and survivors. These positions are typically Monday through Friday from either 8:00am to 4:30pm or 8:30am to 5:00pm, as assigned by the Supervisor. 8:00am to 5:00pm with an hour-long lunch is also an option. The Essential Functions Advocacy and Preparation 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 that allows victims to make informed decisions, including applicable rights and options for exercising their 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. Assist victims/survivors in reporting new and historical crimes to law enforcement, documenting injuries. Provide crisis intervention and conduct safety-planning as needed. This could include but is not limited to: working with victims/survivors to create personal safety plans, assisting victims/survivors 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. Crime Victim Notifications Provide notice to victims of crime about 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. This includes providing information about post-conviction systems and notifications. Keep victims up to date on case status. Monitor cases for any qualifying action or hearing and provide timely notification over the phone, in person or in writing as appropriate. Communicate with the prosecutor and all appropriate parties, information 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. Community Engagement, Trainings and Reporting Assisting 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 on-going 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. TO QUALIFY We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. Required Minimum Qualifications / *Transferable Skills Associate degree from an accredited college or university with course work in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field. 1 to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates 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 together as a team, collaborating and covering for coworkers. Flexible and able 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 skill in Spanish is preferred. 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 course work in criminal justice, social work, psychology, sociology, or a related field. *Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position. Other 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 our policy regarding Outside Associations. Immediate family is defined to include parents, spouse, spouse equivalent, brother, sister, children, grandparents, or any individual where the relationship is close or intimate, or a roommate. An answer of "Yes" to any Outside Associates will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Additional Information Type of Position This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime. Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees. Benefits Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Rx 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. Serving the Public, Even During Disasters Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page. Diversity and Inclusion At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals. Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply. Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Mandatory Self‑Disclosure or mandatory Disability Risk Assessment requests for Renee College are permissible. Pay Equity Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials. On average, candidates new to county service will most likely be offered compensation in the lower to possibly mid-level of the salary range. Job Profile 6247 - Victim Advocate #J-18808-Ljbffr Multnomah County