Crime Victim Advocate (Coordinator I (NE) - CPPW) at City of Portland – Portland, Oregon

Job Appointment: Full time, Regular
Work Schedule: This position may be expected to work non-traditional hours and may be required to respond after regular work hours and on weekends in an on-call capacity.
Work Location: This position will be expected to report to an onsite location. Remote work is not available for this position.
Benefits: Please check our benefits tab for an overview of benefit for this position.
Union Representation: City of Portland Professional Workers (CPPW). To view this labor agreement, please click here.

Position Summary
The Crime Victim Advocates are responsible for a comprehensive basic/extended needs assessment, safety planning, identifying, and facilitating appropriate resources and services to minimize the impact of trauma on individuals involved. Advocates must be able provide immediate emotional support, youth and adult level advocacy, and guide victims through the Criminal Justice System while focusing on individual’s wellbeing.

Advocates work in partnership with the investigators (utilizing a participant centered approach), the criminal justice system, community/system-based advocacy agencies and other governmental partners to periodically identify concerns and provide solution ideas. The Crime Victim Advocates may be expected to provide subject matter expertise including consultation and training when requested.

The Crime Victim Advocates will assess (mostly in person) and identify the needs of each victim, provide referrals to the various advocacy, social, medical, and mental health service providers. The Crime Victim Advocates will be expected to enhance the victims’ and community’s knowledge of the legal system and to promote greater understanding of the options available to crime victims.

Crime Victim Advocates work closely with the Sex Crimes Unit within the Detectives Division and primarily work with victims of sexual assault-related incidents.

As a Crime Victim Advocate, you will:

• Create and maintain contact with reporting victims while providing empathetic support.
• Utilize knowledge of trauma informed care to support needs and facilitate safety planning.
• Identify appropriate resources and referrals that address trauma and prevent future re-victimization.
• Provide in-person support during detective interviews and investigative activities.
• Enhance the victims’ and community’s knowledge of the legal system and to promote greater understanding of the options available to crime victims.
• Maintain communication with assigned detectives/officers/prosecutors and providing victims with information about the investigative process.

Have a question?
Contact Information:
Tamela Ressler, Recruiter
Bureau of Human Resources
Tamela.Ressler@portlandoregon.gov
The following minimum qualifications are required for this position:

1. Knowledge of trauma-informed care and trauma specific interventions for serving victims of crime.
2. Knowledge of victim advocacy and case management methods for providing direct services and maintaining sensitive records/information.
3. Experience providing compassionate advocacy and culturally responsive practices for victims of violent crimes.
4. Experience collaborating with communities of color and people traditionally underrepresented.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver’s license and acceptable driving record at time of hire.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive police background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications
Although not required, you may have one or more of the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to advocacy and social work.
• Experience working directly with victims of crime and providing direct advocacy services.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including familiarity with legal procedures, victim rights, and the role of advocates in guiding victims through the system, including maintaining communication with law enforcement and prosecutors.

STEP 1: Apply online between November 4, 2024 – November 11, 2024

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips:

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training and/or experience, and where obtained, which clearly reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your résumé should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• How We Determine Pay: The City of Portland is covered by the Oregon Equal Pay Act. Your salary is determined based on the experience listed in your resume that is directly related and equivalent to the position for which you are applying. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all your relevant experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• You can use AI tools to assist with your job application, but please make sure to personalize your responses to supplemental questions. Avoid copying and pasting. We encourage using AI to generate ideas and then tailor them to reflect your own experiences and skills.
• All applications must be submitted via the City's online application process.
• E-mailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: November 11, 2024 - November 15, 2024

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• Your résumé and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required prior to establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of November 18, 2024

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Early December 2024

• Hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.

Step 5: Offer of Contingent Employment: Mid to Late December 2024
Applicants who successfully pass the oral interview will receive a conditional offer for current/future vacancies which will advance you to the background investigation step.

Step 6: Background Investigation
Background investigations for this position typically take 3-6 months to complete so you will want to plan accordingly.

The information that will be required when you complete the Personal History Statement includes:

• Employment Information (past 10 years or back to age 17)
• Residential Information (past 10 years or back to age 17)
• Financial Information
• References (8 without using the same people as coworker or supervisor references)
• Family Member Information
• Driving History
• Past/Present Drug Use and/or Controlled Substances
• Criminal History

Step 7: Start Date: TBD

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.
Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations