Victim / Witness Program Advocate

Victim / Witness Program Advocate

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Victim / Witness Program Advocate

Salary

$45,444.51 - $76,135.40 Annually

Location

800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 600, Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Special Project w/Retirement

Job Number

14148

Department

Commonwealth's Attorney

Opening Date

06/03/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

The Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all felony charges and some misdemeanor charges resulting from violations of the Criminal Code of Virginia which occur in the City of Norfolk. The Office also handles certain civil matters which include forfeiture actions against property used in connection with crimes and violations of election laws. The work of the Office is led by the Commonwealth’s Attorney, a constitutional officer elected by the citizens of Norfolk, and is supported by legal secretaries, paralegals, prosecutors, victim/witness services specialists and other professionals.

We are seeking an experienced Victim/witness Program Advocate. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program in the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney helps to ensure the comprehensive representation of crime victims and witnesses in criminal cases. Advocates serve as a liaison between the prosecutors, victims, and witnesses as developments occur in cases. This position also assists victims with compensation forms and referrals to community services and promotes awareness of victims' rights in the community. This position provides crisis intervention services and specialized counseling referrals for victims and witnesses of crime, counsels victims regarding the options available relative to participation in the criminal justice system and provides referrals to support services such as follow-up counseling or victim support groups. Program Advocates also coordinate and implement direct services to victims; distributes materials; recommends written inter-agency service agreements; maintains a directory of resources.

Department Hiring Salary: $ $47,150

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Communicate efficiently and effectively

• Maintain accurate, thorough case files

• Receive/Direct correspondence – phone calls, emails, U.S. mail – from victims and witnesses

• Attend court hearings with victims and witnesses

• Complete parking validation for victims and witnesses

• Assist victims with compensation forms and the restitution process

• Ensure processes are followed in compliance with Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (CICF)

• Provide crisis/emergency counseling, emotional support, and guidance to victims.

• Represent office at community events held outside of office hours.

Education/Experience

Work requires the ability to read and understand written instructions, to understand simple processes and routine office procedures.

High school diploma or equivalent required. At least 10 months of experience.

Preferred Education/Experience:

• College – level Social Science, Criminal Justice, or related experience or training. Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. Knowledge of the criminal justice system, state, and local.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• The ability to speak both English and Spanish fluently.

• Some experience in the delivery of Human Services.

• Basic knowledge of computer software and word processing.

• Ten (10) months of related work experience.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for education and experience.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work Location: 800 E City Hall Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510

Work Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED

• Some College (6 months or more)

• Vocational/Technical Degree

• Associate's Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or higher

03

Please select the response that best describes the number of years of experience you possess following routine office procedures.

• No experience

• Less than 1 year of experience

• 1-2 years of experience

• 2-4 years of experience

• 5 or more years of experience

04

Do you possess para-professional victim services, peer counseling, crisis intervention, social services or related advocacy experience?

• Yes

• No

05

If you answer yes to the above questions, please briefly describe your experience. If you answered no, please write N/A.

06

This position requires the incumbent to establish and maintain effective working relationships with victims and/or witnesses and their families, departmental staff, law enforcement officers, attorneys and community agencies. Incumbents must be able to relate to a wide variety of individuals from different socio-economic, cultural and ethnic groups. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes

• No

07

Please rate your level of proficiency with Microsoft Word (Applicants may be subject to a skills assessment)

• Not Proficient

• Beginner

• Intermediate

• Advanced

08

Please rate your level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel (Applicants may be subject to a skills assessment)

• Not Proficient

• Beginner

• Intermediate

• Advanced

09

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran

• I am a Veteran

• I am a Disabled Veteran

10

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

11

Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

12

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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