Violent Crime Victim Advocate



Violent Crime Victim Advocate

Salary

$34.15 - $43.29 Hourly

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Special Duty Assignment

Job Number

2023-19099

Department

PAO - Prosecuting Attorneys

Division

Criminal

Opening Date

06/05/2023

Closing Date

6/20/2023 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

F4 : L117-PAO

Summary

 
 The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Victim Advocate in the Violent Crime Unit. The Violent Crime Victim Advocate will provide comprehensive victim advocacy to the surviving family members of homicide and vehicular homicides, and victims of felony assault (physical/vehicular), robbery, kidnapping, and other serious violent crimes. The advocate will primarily be responsible to communicate with crime victims and immediate family members, assess and triage urgent needs, deploy crisis intervention techniques, and engage in resource and referral linkages. The advocate will notify and engage with victims and family members upon filing and through disposition. The Violent Crime Victim Advocate will provide critical case updates and facilitate crime victim engagement during critical stages and decision points within the case. Additionally, the advocate will need to establish referral and linkage pathways with community service providers to meet crime victim needs and will work as a liaison with those agencies to assure referrals have been successful. ?The advocate will provide independent support, uphold victim’s rights, and give a voice to crime victims by providing relevant information related to the victim’s safety concerns and wishes to the prosecutor and will act as a liaison with prosecutor to facilitate stronger victim engagement. 
 

About the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

The Criminal Division is the largest of six divisions and is organized into several different units. See the Criminal Division Overview for more information. We are guided by our core values of Justice, Integrity, Compassion, Professionalism, and Leadership.   

Our mission is to do justice: 

  • We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility. 

  • We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable. 

  • We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington. 

To learn more about the PAO, please visit our website.


Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified applicants.

 

Work Location: In-person/telecommuting hybrid: King County Courthouse, Seattle 


Work Schedule:  This position works a 40-hour work week schedule, normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is eligible for King County’s generous benefits package and is covered by the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.  

 

Salary: Range 50- $34.1571 (step one) - $43.2962 (step ten) Hourly*


Application Process: 

Interested individuals must complete the three application components:  

1) Submit a resume and cover letter 
2) Respond to the supplemental questions 
3) Fully complete King County application. ** 
 

***Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state “see my resume” or are blank, are considered incomplete and will not be considered competitive.    

  

Selection Process 

Materials will be reviewed for qualifications, and the most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a panel interview process.  

 
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:   

 Karla Avila Vargas (She/Her)

Human Resource Analyst 

Kvargas@kingcounty.gov


Special Requirements 

Finalists must successfully submit to a criminal background check, reference check, and be fingerprinted. 


Job Duties

  • Provide advocacy to immediate family members of homicide victims and victim/survivors of violent crimes to help address their emotional, physical and financial needs to reduce the impacts of trauma and victimization. 
  • Communicate legal rights and case updates to victim/survivors and appropriate immediate family members; engage in victim rights enforcement. 
  • Notify and engage with victims and family members upon filing through disposition; provide critical case updates and facilitate crime victim engagement during critical stages and decision points within the case. 
  • Assess eligibility and assist filing Crime Victim Compensation claims on behalf of crime victims and survivors. 
  • Deploy advocacy skills, crisis and case management, and de-escalation techniques as needed. 
  • Assess impacts and needs resulting from crime victimization and trauma, connect victims with community resources and service providers to address identified needs. 
  • Assist in developing coordinated safety plans with crime victims as appropriate. 
  • Utilize PAO facility dogs in accordance with PAO policy in support of victims, survivors and immediate family members associated with caseload. 
  • Develop strong and effective working relationships with DPA’s, Case Development Specialists, Paralegals, Law Enforcement, and other system entities to empower, support and educate families and victims throughout the Criminal Justice System process. 
  • When needed, assist crime victims filing for civil protection orders, including drafting orders, completing declarations, and other legal documents for court hearings. 
  • Attend trials and hearings as necessary, advocate and speak on behalf of victims and their families in and out of court; prepare victims for court testimony. 
  • Make appropriate warm handoff and referrals to community-based organizations and agencies to address relevant social service needs associated with their victimization. 
  • Coordinate outreach efforts to build and foster necessary community partnerships with community organizations to address the identified needs outlined by crime survivors. 
  • Conduct and produce trainings and participate in outreach events related to caseload and impacts of victimization. 
  • Engage equity and social justice principles in regular job duties and decision making. 
  • Additional responsibilities and/or tasks may be incorporated, or existing ones modified as business needs evolve. 

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • Demonstrated expertise in the areas of violent crime and criminal justice and court-based advocacy. Experience responding to victims of physical assault, and co-victims of homicide a plus. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work with people in crisis. 
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, groups and in the courtroom.  
  • Considerable knowledge of local related community resources. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work within and across systems including law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, community partners and the public. 
  • Skill in working with diverse populations. 
  • Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgment and also function as a team player. 
  • Ability to problem-solve and identify needed procedural and policy changes. 
  • Demonstrated ability to manage voluminous and sensitive caseloads. 
  • Any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work. 
  • Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with co-workers, management, attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement, community partners and the general public. 
  • Actively participate in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussion. Provide support for the Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement. 
  • Bilingual candidates and candidates with experience serving diverse survivors are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Supplemental Information

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

The Prosecuting Attorney's Office is dedicated to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.


King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.  

Tracking Number: 211S-2023-May-TLC

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Are you currently employed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Describe your experience providing case management and navigating high-needs individuals to community services.
03
What is your experience working directly with crime victims while navigating the criminal justice system?
04
Part of King County's values include making it a racially just and welcoming community where every person can thrive. Please describe how this aligns with your personal values.

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404