Volunteer Victim Advocate

VOLUNTEER VICTIM ADVOCATE


EXEMPT: No
CLASSIFICATION: On-Call (Temporary)
REPORTS TO: Victim Assistance Coordinator
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
HIRING RANGE: Volunteer
SALARY RANGE: Volunteer

NATURE OF WORK
Under broad supervision, Volunteer Victim Advocates will provide victim advocacy and on-call support to the four participating jurisdictions: Firestone, Frederick, Dacono, and Mead. This position works closely with victims and their families, witnesses, police officers, detectives and court personnel to provide victim assistance and advocacy services. Volunteers will provide immediate crisis intervention, individual and family support, information about the criminal justice system, information about Victim Rights, and resources/referrals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The duties listed herein are illustrative of the essential duties of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required or assigned.

• Provides victim assistance and advocacy services for residents in all four cooperating agencies.
• Works closely with victims and their families, witnesses, police officers, detectives and court personnel.
• Provides on-call responses to emergencies and aids police officers as needed.
• Completes and turns in all required paperwork
• Attends monthly meetings for ongoing training
• Completes at least four 12-hour on-call shifts per month

REQUiRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work with a great deal of empathy, caring and tact.
• Ability to understand and relate to diverse populations of people.
• Ability to work a flexible, on-call schedule that will include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Self-motivated and able to work with very minimal supervision.
• Strong relationship building, conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Positive and outgoing personality, but with the ability to maintain a professional demeanor. Must possess the ability to gain trust and provide support, yet remain professionally detached.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to be compassionate and non-judgmental with victims of crime

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess a valid Colorado drivers license, and proof of a clean driving record
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check and CVSA (Computerized Voice Stress Analysis)
• Must be willing to commit to at least 12 months
• Must live within Frederick, Firestone, Dacono, or Mead (or within 30 minutes of town limits)
• Must be willing to respond to all four jurisdictions
• Must have a working phone and be easily contacted while on call
• Must have consistent personal transportation

TRAINING

• Must complete 40 hours of initial training provided by the Carbon Valley, Mead Victim Services Program and other participating victim services programs
• Must shadow another staff or volunteer advocate for at least 4 shifts

WORKING ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the volunteer is regularly required to talk, see and hear, and to use hands to finger, handle, touch or feel. The volunteer is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. Most work is performed in the field and may require the employee to work in and be exposed to all weather conditions including but not limited to extreme heat, extreme cold, sun, wind, snow, etc. The noise level is usually moderate.