Job DescriptionPosition Overview: This position is the lead Victim Advocate on the Huntersville Police Department's Victim Response Team (VRT). The position provides victim advocacy services to victims by assessing victims' needs and safety, acting as a liaison between victims and service/resource providers, and coordinating necessary hearing and legal arrangements. This position also develops community relations and raises awareness of victims of domestic violence and sexual crimes, and helps families access community resources, develop safety plans, and receive education. Work is performed under the supervision of a Lieutenant and supervises other Victim Advocates.Essential Duties of the PositionThe following duties are those considered most essential to the position. This does not preclude the delegation of other duties considered as necessary by management to successfully complete an assignment or project.

Responds to hospitals, crime scenes, and other locations as requested by law enforcement personnel to assist primary and secondary victims with crisis needs and to provide emotional support.
Assesses victims' safety and other needs, informing them of available resources and acting as a liaison in obtaining services.
Provides crisis intervention for victims.
Assists victims of crime through the judicial process by providing information regarding the legal process and their rights, the investigation process, and resources such as shelter, treatment, education, legal assistance, and financial aid.
Assesses and reviews violent crime reports and ensures victims are contacted within established time frames.
Maintains cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work activities; maintains confidentiality.
Assists victims in preparing and filing protective orders, stalking injunctions, and other legal forms.
Attends applicable court proceedings and coordinates transportation of witnesses and/or victims and their families as needed.
Acts as liaison between Police Department and local mental health agencies and hospitals, social and human services agencies, emergency service providers, civic and community groups and court personnel regarding services provided to victims.
Supervises Victim Advocates; participates in recruitment and selection process; recommends appropriate candidates for hire; conducts employee evaluations; recommends disciplinary and termination actions.
Assists with ongoing staff development and training of new staff/interns.
Initiates, completes, and maintains case records and documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.
Assists in data collection and prepares various reports regarding the performance of the Victim Response Team.
Assists with the development and delivery of community programming and other internal/external training.
Works on-call in the team rotation with the other Victim Advocates.
Performs other duties as apparent or assigned.

Essential Duties of the PositionEssential Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of the criminal justice process and victims' rights; community resources available to victims for shelter, treatment, education, legal assistance, and financial aid; some knowledge of police methods, practices and procedures; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; ability to maintain and track data and records effectively; ability to interpret information and prepare and present clear reports and program recommendations; ability to deal professionally, courteously and fairly with the public; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances; ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with associates and the general public.Minimum Required Education and ExperienceMinimum Required Education and ExperienceBachelor's degree in behavioral science, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field with at least two to five years' experience in law, law enforcement, social work or criminal justice, including supervisory experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.Supplemental InformationPhysical RequirementsThis work requires the occasional exertion of over 20 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating motor vehicles and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location.Click on the image to learn more about the great benefits offered by the Town of Huntersville.01Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of working with in the Huntersville Police Department, I understand that this application is one step in the hiring process. Additional information will be requested and required from me including an extensive background review, a polygraph test, fingerprinting, drug screening and a psychological screening. I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the above statement.

02Are you able to work weekends, holidays, on call, or other irregular hours?

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