Victim Advocate

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of others as a Victim Advocate with an agency committed to collaboration and a positive workplace culture. We support our team with incredible benefits, a healthy work/life balance, and an environment where your compassion, expertise, and dedication are valued every day. Not a Grant Funded Position Job may close early if a suitable candidate is identified. GENERAL PURPOSE Provide compassionate service to City residents by assisting victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice processes. Coordinate assistance for victims of traumatic incidents and supports police officers in interacting with residents with empathy and respect. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Receives direction from the Investigations Division Detective Sergeant and may receive assignments from the Chief of Police or the Chief's designee. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Provides compassionate assistance, communication, and support to victims of crime. - Contacts victims of crime to provide information regarding legal processes, investigative procedures, and available victim resources, including shelter, treatment and education programs, legal assistance, and financial aid. - Assesses victims' needs and safety. Serves as a liaison among victims, referring to detectives or officers, prosecutors or attorneys, and service providers to help ensure that victims' needs and interests are addressed. - Notifies and provides information to victims and witnesses regarding hearing dates, pleas, trials, and sentencing. Advises and assists victims with filing state compensation claims and provides general support and advocacy services. - Responds to hospitals, crime scenes, and other locations at the request of sworn personnel of the Herriman City Police Department. - Tracks case information; documents referrals, contacts, and other actions; prepares case-progress reports; and collects statistical information. - Exercises sound judgment and may make decisions that affect the activities of others. Protects confidential information and complies with applicable privacy and public record requirements. - Maintains responsibility for the proper care, use, and condition of assigned materials, equipment, funds, and vehicles. - May assist with applications for future grant funding. - Responds, while on or off duty, to major incidents and emergencies, as appropriate, to assist victims. Such responses may occur outside regularly scheduled work hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. - Performs other duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: - Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, behavioral science, or a related field. Experience: - Knowledge of the criminal justice system and at least four (4) years of experience working with the public in the delivery of human services. OR - An equivalent combination of education, experience, and demonstrated skills sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position. Certifications/Licenses: - Victim advocate certificate or successful completion of the course requirements of an approved victim advocacy training program. Additional Requirements: - Must be at least 18 years of age. - Must possess a valid Utah driver license. - Must successfully pass a pre-employment drug test, background check (including BCI clearance), and driving record check. - Must not have any felony convictions, domestic-violence convictions, or convictions for crimes involving similar moral turpitude, consistent with applicable law and City policy. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Ability to speak and understand Spanish. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL S, AND ABILITIES - Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in English. Demonstrates competency in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and arithmetic. - Knowledge of modern office equipment, practices and procedure , and various office machines. - Intermediate-level skills in computer operations, including Windows, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. - Ability to learn and use any software required. - Demonstrates resilience and composure in high-pressure environments, maintaining focus and effectiveness while dealing with emotionally charged or crisis situations. - Basic knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations. - Knowledge of police terminology and practices, police records procedures, information and privacy laws, and municipal and state laws. - Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment, and resourcefulness under varying conditions. - Strong interpersonal communication skills and customer service etiquette. - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, elected officials and other public agencies. - Ability to work independently and prioritize daily duties. - Ability to establish and maintain comprehensive records and files. - Ability to analyze problems, make decisions, plan and organize, manage time, delegate authority, and adapt to varying situations. WORK ENVIRONMENT: - Work is performed primarily in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls, with periodic exposure to weather extremes and seasonal conditions during callouts. - Work requires a variety of physical activities, which may periodically involve muscular strain, including walking, standing, stooping, sitting, pulling, and reaching. - The ability to speak, hear, and see is essential to performing the duties of the position. - Work requires memory for details, the ability to follow verbal and written instructions, emotional stability, sound judgment, critical thinking, and guided problem-solving. - May be required to respond to crime scenes or hospitals under police supervision, where exposure to hazardous conditions may occur. - Requires eye, hand, finger, leg, and foot dexterity. - The position may involve significant emotional and mental stress due to the nature of the clientele and situations encountered. - Significant mental effort and attention to detail are required daily. Moderate mental pressure and fatigue may occur because of deadlines, competing priorities, and crisis-related responsibilities. - Requires frequent keyboarding and computer use. - Requires the ability to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, nights, and holidays, as needed. - The City may make reasonable accommodations to the work environment and job duties for individuals who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION: In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employee's normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency. Associated with this position will be confidential and proprietary information of Herriman City such as financial, litigation, etc. Employee acknowledges that this information will not be shared with others outside the discharge of duties. Confidential and proprietary information shall mean information not generally known to the public. As this position exists under a public safety department of Herriman City, applicants understand that all employees o f a public safety department are subject to random drug and alcohol screening and may be selected at any time for random screening. The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not to be considered an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, requirements or knowledge, skills and abilities. Herriman City reserves the right to add or change dut