VICTIM ADVOCATE in Sarasota, Florida at Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

As a Law Enforcement Victim Advocate, you will play a critical role in providing crisis intervention, guidance, and resources to individuals who have experienced crime or trauma. You will work closely with law enforcement and the state attorney’s office to ensure that victims receive the necessary assistance and advocacy throughout the criminal justice process. You will act as a liaison for the victim between law enforcement, the judicial system, and social services available on national, state, and local
levels. This role requires a compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated individual who is committed to helping victims navigate their rights, access services, and find healing.
Responsibilities:
• Provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and advocacy to victims of crime or trauma, including but not limited to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and homicide.
• Conduct needs assessments and safety planning for victims, ensuring their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
• Collaborate with law enforcement to establish effective communication and coordination between victims and the criminal justice system.
• Assist victims with understanding their rights, the legal process, and available resources, such as referrals for counseling, legal aid, and support groups.
• Accompany victims to court proceedings, police interviews, injunctions for protection hearings, and other appointments as needed, providing support and guidance throughout.
• Help victims navigate the aftermath of a crime, including but not limited to, filing for victim compensation, obtaining injunction for protection orders, and accessing social services.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records, documenting interactions, services provided, and progress made by victims.
• Collaborate with community organizations, government agencies, and healthcare professionals to facilitate comprehensive support for victims.
• Stay updated on laws, policies, and best practices related to victim advocacy, ensuring knowledge is current and applicable.
• Participate in training sessions, workshops, conferences, and crime scene response trainings to enhance professional skills and knowledge in the field.
• Provide immediate crisis response and support to victims and witnesses at traumatic scenes, and crime scenes, including offering emotional support, explaining investigative process, and connecting survivors to appropriate resources.
• Provide compassionate and sensitive death notifications to families and loved ones of victims, ensuring that the notification is delivered in a timely manner with empathy, clarity, and support with respect for cultural, religious, and individual preferences.
• Offer emotional support and guidance to bereaved families, helping them navigate the immediate aftermath of the loss and connecting them with appropriate resources for grief counseling and support.
• Maintain composure and professionalism in high-stress situations, ensuring that victims feel supported during and after traumatic incidents.
• Be willing to share on call responsibilities, including weekends and holidays, to respond to emergency situations and provide immediate support to victims or witnesses in need.

Note: The addition of on-call responsibilities for traumatic scenes and crime scene response requires a high level of resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Two years related experience in advocacy, social work, psychology, or criminal justice.
• Knowledge of the legal process; local, state, and national social service agencies.
• Knowledge of victim compensation benefits.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to empathize, actively listen, provide crisis intervention, and build trust with diverse individuals.
• Self-directed and creative in initiating possible solutions for various victim problems and ability to articulate the related criminal justice procedures and processes.
• Knowledge of victims’ rights, trauma-informed care, and the criminal justice system.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate professionalism, and adhere to ethical guidelines.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage a large case load, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including word processing, email, and case management software.
• Must be willing and able to participate in after hours and weekend on-call rotation or group call outs for major events.
PG 02
Annual Work Hours: 2080
Long-Term Salary Cap: $81,619.20