Domestic Violence Advocate

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATE

Hourly Pay: $24.09

Hours: Full Time Employee

Location: Prosecutor's Office

Category: Office and Administrative Support

Position Summary

This is a non-union, non-exempt level position with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Coordinates domestic violence intervention activities with the courts, probation staff, prosecutor’s office, counseling agencies and related community resources. Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 1 year professional experience with domestic violence required. Easily apply by entering your personal contact information in our application and uploading your cover letter and resume.

Position Description

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Victim Rights Coordinator, acts as a victim’s advocate by providing a safety net for the victim, coordinating domestic violence intervention actions between the victim, the courts and other agencies. Conducts interviews with victims, conducts domestic violence education and makes referrals to appropriate agencies.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:
1. Attempts to contact the victim of domestic violence within 48 hours of the incident and performs initial victim interview, including crisis intervention, domestic violence education and referrals to appropriate community agencies. Encourages victims to take steps to ensure their safety and maintain contact with the Domestic Violence Advocate. Explains the parameters of no contact orders and conditional release. Accompanies victims to court upon request.

2. Coordinates domestic violence intervention activities with the courts, probation staff, prosecutor’s office, counseling agencies and related community resources. Provides Assistant Prosecutor with information regarding the victim for review and consideration in the pending prosecution. Coordinates and exchanges information with the offender’s Probation Officer. Reports any violation of the conditions of bond or indications of misconduct to the courts for their review.

3. Coordinates with community resources to assist the victim in finding available counseling and various other services, as needed.

4. Maintains records on each victim to include assistance provided or needed and information on the effect of counseling and its impact between the victim and offender. Prepares reports for the court as necessary.

5. Performs general tasks in support of the Victim Rights Unit.

6. May serve subpoenas to domestic violence victims for pending cases.
 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related area.

Experience: Prior experience in law enforcement or other related aspect of the criminal justice system providing some background on domestic violence (minimum of one (1) year).

At the County Prosecutor’s discretion, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Other Requirements: Must have a valid Michigan driver’s license and be able to travel for training purposes.


Additional Requirements and Information

1. Good working knowledge of the Michigan Crime Victim Rights Act – PA 87 of 1985 (MCL 780.751).
2. Good working knowledge of the operation of the Michigan Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE) system.
3. Good working knowledge of the criminal and civil court process in the district, circuit and family courts.
4. Good working knowledge and experience regarding the role and function of the prosecuting attorney in a criminal case.
5. Thorough working knowledge of:
human behavior patterns, family dynamics and domestic violence.
6. Good working knowledge of community resources available to victims and their families.
7. Knowledge of public and private community resources available to crime victims and their families.
8. Thorough interviewing skills.
9. Thorough working knowledge of counseling and crisis intervention skills, including safety planning for victims and families.
10. Computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, JIS, and OnBase systems.
11. Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills, and oral and written communication skills.
12. Ability to interact with victims, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers, officers of the court, social and human service agency staff and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying cognitive abilities.
 

FULL-TIME, NON-UNION, PAY GRADE H

This is a full time, non-union, non-exempt level position with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office/Victim Rights Unit. There are minimal benefit changes if currently full time in the AFSCME Bargaining Unit or are a part-time employee accepting a full-time position. Full time benefits include:

CORE BENEFITS (Provided at no cost): $30,000 Life Insurance, $30,000 AD&D; Long-Term Disability; Employee Wellness Benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Holidays; Paid Time Off (based on length of service); Paid bereavement leave; and Education Assistance of up to $3,000 annually.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS (cost share required): Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision; Optional Life Insurance for employee, spouse and dependent children; Short-Term Disability; Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and/or Dependent Care); Health Savings Account; Consumerism Card; Legal Shield & ID Shield.

Full time employees choosing to opt out of the County's health benefit plan with proof of other coverage are eligible for a $3,000 Cash-In-Lieu of Insurance benefit (Individuals covered by another employee enrolled in the County's health plan are not eligible for Cash-In-Lieu.)

Full time employees not enrolled in the Jackson County Employee's Retirement System, are offered an Employer match of up to 5% in our Defined Contribution/401a Plan and greater than two times the employee contribution to our Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHS). The Employee contribution for the RHS Plan is $900 annually with an employer contribution of $2,050 annually.