Victim Witness Advocate Supervisor (#RS6005)
$34.33-$41.73 Hourly / $5,950.77-$7,233.20 Monthly / $71,409.34-$86,798.50 Yearly

Under direction, supervises staff who assist and advocate for victims and/or witnesses of crimes by performing crisis intervention, case management and counseling duties as part of the County Victim/Witness Assistance Program; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the supervisory-level class in the Victim/Witness Advocate series. Incumbents support the criminal justice activities of the District Attorney’s Office by planning, assigning, training, reviewing and evaluating the work of subordinate staff who provide a variety of advocacy services to victims and/or witnesses of crimes. Such services include crisis intervention, crime scene response, case management and counseling/guidance. At this level, incumbents work under the direction of the Victim/Witness Program Manager and perform duties with a very high level of independent judgment and authority. Incumbents may also be required to provide additional backup on-call support for difficult crises situations requiring multiple staff to respond.

This class can be distinguished from the Victim/Witness Advocate III because the latter does not include supervisory responsibilities.

• Plans, assigns, trains, reviews and evaluates the work of a group of Victim/Witness Advocates and other subordinate staff; oversees and participates in the provision of acute and ongoing intervention services to victims and/or witnesses of crimes; facilitates victim/witness comprehension of and cooperation with the crime scene investigation process; oversees processes to establish victim eligibility and provide for emergency assistance; reviews and advises staff on case plans as appropriate.
• Coordinates a 24-hour mobile crisis unit that responds to calls referred by law enforcement agencies; may be assigned to provide back up on-call assistance for difficult situations requiring multiple staff to respond; helps assure the safety and security of advocate staff at all times.
• Helps develop and implement policies and methods to assure that Program goals and objectives are met; evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of Program activities; develops quality control methods and strategies; advises and assists staff regarding complex issues as required; responds to inquiries and resolves complaints; monitors victim cases and assures timely resolution of issues; coordinates advocacy activities with the Victim Claims Supervisor to facilitate applications and claims processing.
• Provides a supervisory liaison between victims, law enforcement personnel, County agencies, attorneys, and others; coordinates victim/witness services with numerous agencies and organizations, including those providing medical or therapeutic treatment.
• Recruits, selects and trains volunteers and interns; identifies staff development needs and opportunities; develops and coordinates training plans; seeks input from various sources regarding staff performance and training issues.
• Reads, analyzes, interprets and implements complex documents, including regulations and laws; oversees the maintenance of case files, program records, and progress notes; prepares complex statistical reports, case summaries, letters and memoranda; assists with budget and/or contract preparation as assigned; oversees systems development and operations in the unit; may coordinate special research projects.
• Presents and attends training programs; develops and makes presentations to law enforcement, other agencies and the community regarding Program activities; may lead committees and task forces.

Education:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in psychology, social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, law enforcement or a closely related field.

Experience:  Three years of social advocacy and casework experience at a level comparable to or higher than Victim Witness Advocate II in San Joaquin County.

Note:  Individuals employed as either Victim Witness Advocates or Senior Victim Witness Advocates in San Joaquin County on the date that this class specification is adopted by the Civil Service Commission may waive the above education requirement. Experience as a Senior Victim Witness Advocate will be credited to the employee on a year-for-year basis.

Special Requirement:  Completion of a 40-hour advanced Victim/Witness Advocacy course certified by the California Victim Witness Coordinating Council and the State Office of Criminal Justice Planning.

License:  Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Principles and practices of leadership and training; basic law enforcement and criminal justice practices; advanced principles and practices of crisis management; principles of individual and group behavior; advanced assessment, interviewing and counseling techniques; cultural and human relations; advanced analytical and investigative principles, methods, and techniques; community resource agencies, both public and private.

Lead and train the work of others; interpret and apply complex laws and regulations; prepare accurate, clear and concise records, reports and other documents; reason logically and draw valid conclusions, both in routine and crisis situations; obtain information through personal interviews; use tact and good judgement in dealing with difficult situations and/or people; maintain effective working relations with a diverse group of people.

Mobility-Frequent standing, walking, keyboard operation, sitting and driving; occasional climbing stairs, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; Lifting-Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds; Vision-Constant reading and close-up work requiring good overall vision; frequent eye/hand coordination, occasional color/depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity-Frequent holding, gripping and writing; occasional reaching and repetitive motion; Hearing/Talking-Constant hearing normal speech, talking in person and on the telephone; occasional hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Special Conditions-Constant public contact, decision making, and concentration; frequent exposure to trauma, grief and death, exposure to noise, emergency situations; occasional working weekends/nights/overtime and travel.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.