Crime Victim Advocate 1

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is located in downtown Tacoma and employs approximately 213 staff, which includes over 100 deputy prosecutors. Pierce County has a population of 813,600 and growing. The office is comprised of the Criminal Division, which includes the Homicide and Violent Crimes Division, Major Crimes Division, Misdemeanor Division, Juvenile Division, Appeals Division, Investigative Services Division, and Victim-Witness Assistance Services Division. The Criminal Division reviews more than 22,800 criminal cases every year. The office’s Civil Division provides legal advice to county officials and represents the county’s interests in court. The Family Support Division protects the best interests of children.

NATURE OF WORK

This is a professional crime victim advocate criminal justice position in the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office. An employee in this classification is responsible for victim services in various divisions in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office including juvenile, misdemeanor or felony units.

Work involves providing professional criminal justice services to victims and their families, working with difficult or complex situations involving victims, and providing a higher level of support to deputy prosecuting attorneys in the complicated cases. Employees in this class may assist in creating and implementing changes in specialized unit functions and services. Incumbents provide assistance on procedural or victim service activities to other employees in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and serve as a resource for community programs. Assignments at this level include decisions with serious consequences and require an intimate familiarity with the structure and dynamics of the criminal justice system and victim rights, the values and attitudes of the community, and available resources. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative superior who periodically reviews work for quality, consistency of professional judgement and compliance with established goals and policies.

• Interviews and counsels victims, assesses needs, responds to crisis situations, provides resources and makes referrals to community agencies. Assists victims in developing short and long term plans to deal with their victimization.
• Orients victims to the criminal justice system. Works with deputy prosecuting attorneys in responding to victim questions about the legal process and procedures in the criminal justice system. Gives ongoing case status information. Explains victim rights.
• Provides emotional support and crisis intervention to victims during trials and court hearings and assists them with victimization issues. Helps victims to prepare oral and written impact statements to the court.
• Investigates, evaluates and prepares restitution information in felony cases; appears in court to present or clarify information when required; provides defense bar with specifics and addresses questions on the evaluation process.
• Assists victims with Crime Victim Compensation.
• Assumes responsibility for a caseload of crime victims who may need crisis intervention, community resources, counseling enrollment assistance, shelter arrangements, protection order assistance or other specialized services.
• Works closely with deputy prosecuting attorneys to assist victims or witnesses subpoenaed into court with diverse concerns including emotional issues and the need for additional law enforcement protection.
• Maintains contact and correspondence with victims and other victim service agencies in serious and complex cases. Maintains documentation of contacts and information obtained relative to victim needs.
• Performs community outreach and education, which targets both high-risk groups and the community at large. Outreach includes: public speaking engagements with schools, community groups, educators, and service providers. Attends legislative meetings, community funding/grant allocation meetings and trainings sponsored by community agencies, law enforcement, community advocates and prosecuting attorneys.
• Provides training and guidance to new crime victim advocates.
• Assists in creating and implementing changes in specialized unit functions and services.
• Develops and compiles case data for grant proposal development.
• Responds to telephone inquiries and walk-in requests for services and information about the criminal justice system.
• Assists with the release of victim property held as evidence.
• Perform duties of a highly confidential nature.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, providing responses to concerns, questions, and general information.
• Maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance during regularly scheduled work hours.
• Meet travel requirements of position which includes occasional travel to four other office work-sites.

Just as important as the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are the following core competencies and characteristics:

• The ability to focus on how we can best serve the public.
• The desire and ability to uphold the mission, core values, and trifecta of the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office as outlined below.
• The ability to interact in a positive and engaging manner with internal and external customers treating every contact as a valued individual contributing to inclusiveness in the work environment and embracing and promoting diversity.
• Exceptional interpersonal ability and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to build partnerships and promote teamwork.
• A professional image and positive, approachable demeanor.
• A commitment to teamwork and helping others achieve goals.
• The ability to multi-task and handle numerous responsibilities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Creativity and open-mindedness.
• Strong learning acumen.
• Ability to type on a personal computer at an acceptable level of proficiency for independent production of work product and operate standard office machines.

Mission Statement:
Pursuing Justice. Representing the People. Serving Our Community.

Core Values:
Justice: We vigorously protect the rights of the people of Pierce County and hold offenders accountable. We support crime victims and their families.

Excellence: We maintain the highest standards of personal and professional performance in service to the community.

Teamwork: We work respectfully with each other, all members of the justice system, and the community to promote the public good.

Accountability: We believe in open government and accept responsibility for the decisions we make. We are fiscally sound, innovative and operationally efficient.

Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in carrying out our responsibilities.

Respect: We treat our co-workers and all members of the community professionally, fair and with dignity.

Trifecta

Good Worker: Consistently carries out duties of the job and does so ethically, meets expectations and performs professionally. Supervisors shall provide timely and honest feedback to others.

Good Colleague: Consistently promotes good will, supports and treats all colleagues in the Prosecutor’s Office respectfully and professionally.

Good Emissary: Consistently represents the office well with members of the justice system and the community at large, advances goals of the office and acts professionally.

This announcement is not intended to reflect all duties to be performed by our next team member, but shall present a descriptive list of the range of duties that may be performed. To view the complete classification, click here.

Ability to successfully complete and pass a thorough background investigation and interview is required. A valid Washington State driver’s license is required.

If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.

Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format you may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your materials will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.

Pierce County will provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities during the selection process, if requested. Please notify the Human Resources Department at (253) 798-7480 of the accommodation needed, preferably at the time of application, but at least two days prior to the date needed.

It is the policy of Pierce County that no person shall be subjected to employment discrimination because of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person.