Victim Advocate

Victim Advocate

Apache Junction, AZ 85120

Overview

Position Type Full Time

Horizon Health and Wellness, Inc. has offered quality healthcare services to central and southern Arizona for over 40 years. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of the individuals, families and communities we serve, and empower them to attain their optimum potential. Our most important organizational philosophy is Kindness Matters. It is how we do our business and an essential component in all of our interactions with our patients and with each other.

Description

The Victim Advocate serves as a critical connection between victims, law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and community resources. This position provides trauma-informed support, helps victims understand and exercise their rights, assists with navigating the criminal justice process, and connects individuals and families with appropriate community services.

What You'll Do:

• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed support and advocacy to victims of crime and individuals experiencing crisis.
• Assess victim needs and connect individuals with appropriate community, social, medical, legal, and emergency resources.
• Assess client needs, when appropriate, by completing a thorough intake process for behavioral health services.
• May respond to crime scenes or hospitals outside of normal business hours.
• Explain victims' rights, available protections, and the criminal justice process, and assist with related documentation and court proceedings.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and community service providers to ensure victims receive appropriate support and follow-up.
• Accompany and assist victims at hospitals, shelters, courts, forensic interview facilities, and other service locations as needed.
• Maintain accurate, confidential case records and documentation, including referrals, services, and case-related information.
• Provide ongoing communication and case follow-up while helping victims navigate available services and resources.
• Support community outreach, education, training, and victim-assistance programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and service providers and identify opportunities to improve victim services.

This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funding. Employment is not guaranteed beyond the term of the grant and may be subject to modification or termination if funding is reduced or discontinued.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• HS diploma or GED plus 4 years in BH or combined BH education and experience with at least 1 year experience in victim services strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual - English/Spanish
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, marriage and family counseling, behavioral science, human services, or related field.

Bilingual Spanish/English skills are preferred.

This position primarily works in an office environment but may require travel to hospitals, shelters, courts, forensic interview facilities, and other locations to provide victim support.

The position may involve:

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and computer use.
• Lifting or carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Responding to emotionally intense or crisis situations.
• Occasional on-call or after-hours response.
• Working in environments involving sensitive, confidential, and potentially traumatic information.

Candidates selected for employment may be required to successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification, and other pre-employment requirements applicable to the position. A valid Arizona driver's license may be required.