Position Description

POSITION TITLE: Raleigh County Part-Time

VOCA Victim Services Advocate

Position Held By: Contingent upon grant award - To be filled

SUPERVISED BY: Executive Director, Women’s Resource Center

Chief, Beckley Police Department

QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma/equivalency and experience with crisis intervention,victim advocacy, and law enforcement/court/legal system. Must demonstrate the ability to perform the job of an advocate effectively, confidentially and work with minimal supervision. Position requires familiarity with community resources and networking, excellent problem solving and time management skills. Mustpossess the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, economic standards and ages. Criminal Background Check Required.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES: The Raleigh County Part-Time VOCA Victim Services Advocate for the Women’s Resource Centerin conjunction with the Beckley Police Department and with cooperation from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorneyof Raleigh County, will be responsible for the overall coordination of the Victim Assistance Program to assist victims of crime throughout their dealings with the criminal justice system. The Part-Time VOCA Victim Services Advocate is funded 100% by the Victims of Crime Act grant and is administered through the WV Division of Justice and Community Services.

POSITION SPECIFICS:20 hours per week. Not to exceed 23 hours per week.

Salary is $9.25/hour. Advocate’s work site is Beckley Police Department. Advocate reports to Beckley Police Chief Christian and Executive Director of Women’s Resource Center, Patricia Bailey.

BACKGROUND/NEED FOR POSITION: Across the country, prosecuting and law enforcement authorities have someone working in their officesknown as a “Domestic Violence or Victim Services Advocate”. The job of the Advocate is to assist alleged victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault throughout the time that the domestic violence/sexual assault case is moving throughthe criminal justice system. The Victim Advocate will attempt to contact the victim by either letter, phone, email or other approved method in an effort to gather additional information about the relationship and about the incident that brought the individuals into the court system. The job of the Advocate is to act as a guide to the alleged victim through the duration of the case. The work of the Raleigh County Part-Time VOCA Victim Services Advocate is performed under the general direction and supervision of the Beckley Police Department and Women’s Resource Center and in cooperation with the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The Raleigh County Part-Time VOCA Victim Services Advocate includes, but is not limited to providing:

  • Assistance to crime victims and witnessesand act as a liaison between local, state and regional criminal justiceagencies and services providers
  • Notification of charges filed, court hearings and explanations of court procedures
  • Information advising victims of their rights
  • Someone to attend court with victims and support during all stages of the criminal process
  • Maintaining contact with victims between the Preliminary Hearing and the Grand Jury
  • Assisting in the victim notification process when perpetrator’s have made bond or been released
  • Assistance with completing Victim Impact Statements for use in sentencing a convicted defendant
  • Referrals to appropriate victim services or social service agencies if needed
  • Assistance in applying for compensation through the WV Victims of Crime Compensation Program for victims of crime
  • Information on victimization and emotional support
  • Information regarding Civil and Domestic Violence Protection Orders
  • Information regarding sexual assault and stalking and Personal Safety Orders
  • Speaking to community groups to inform the public of the Victim Assistance Program
  • Compiling and recording victim statistics monthly and developing a yearly summary of activities

Attending at least four (4) STOP Team Meetings and reporting on Victim Services Advocate activities as needed

  • Attending at least 4 Core team meetings (VAWA AP, VAWA LEO, VAWA VA, FRIS Prevention Educator) to assess the needs, progress and services for victims receiving assistance from one or more Core team members
  • Submitting a monthly summary report to the Executive Director,Chief, Beckley Police Department and Raleigh County Prosecutorof all activities during the month by the 7th of the following month.
  • Participation in WRC staff meetings and in-service training at WRC
  • Compliance with all policies and procedures established by the WRC Board of Directors and/or Executive Director and Beckley Police Department
  • Performance of any and all duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director and in conjunction with the Chief, Beckley Police Department
  • Achieving and/or maintaining Certified Domestic Violence Advocate status
  • Attending at least two (2) WVCADV advocate certification trainings each year as required by FPSB for licensure
  • Submitting required paperwork, documentation, reports, time sheets etc., in a timely manner
  • Submitting required paperwork, documentation, reports, time sheets etc., with no errors
  • Maintaining and keeping grant binder up-to-date with all required documentation

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