POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATIONThe Victim Advocate is a dynamic civilian position assigned to the Specialized Services Division of the Westminster Police Department, working within the Police Department and the Municipal Court in the Fast Track Domestic Violence Program. This person provides immediate direct services and follow-up with victims of crime and personal tragedy to offer emotional support through crisis intervention, information about and advocacy within the criminal justice system as is mandated by the Victims Right Amendment. This includes information about the rights of crime victims, appropriate community referrals, aid in applying for Crime Victims Compensation funds, information about Jail Notifications, acquiring emergency shelter, and facilitating other immediate needs. This position is primarily located at the Westminster Municipal Court and you will be asked to participate at the Westminster Police department as a victim advocate as needed. Schedules will reflect the needs of the unit and the needs and the services we perform. The Westminster Municipal Court conducts weekend advisements, as do other County Courts, you will be asked to provide victim support for these proceeding as needed.
The Westminster Police Department values diversity in our team and embraces the cultural and demographic qualities of the City of Westminster. We work to attract and retain a team that represents the range of backgrounds and perspectives that arise from different cultures and circumstances. We value the ideas and brilliance that come from lived experience. Candidates with such experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
El Departamento de Policía de Westminster valora la diversidad en nuestro equipo y promueve las cualidades culturales y demográficas de la Ciudad de Westminster. Trabajamos para atraer y retener un equipo que represente la variedad de la poblacion de la ciudad y perspectivas y retos que surgen en las diferentes culturas. Esperamos que los candidatos con estas valiosas experiencias puedan aplicar.
This is a full time, benefited, temporary position and will last for a duration of up to three (3) years. The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIESThe City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).
This position supports the goals of the Police Department, which is “To Provide Law Enforcement Excellence in Community Safety and Service through Vigorous Policing, Professionalism, Leadership and Innovation.” The Department is responsible for enforcement of State Laws and Westminster Municipal Ordinances pertaining to criminal and traffic issues and to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the State of Colorado, and the Charter of the City of Westminster. The Department is primarily focused on public safety, maintaining peace and order, prevention of crime, and the apprehension of criminals. The Victim Services Unit is a part of Investigations. We work collaboratively with Patrol Officers and Detectives to provide direct services to victims of crime and personal tragedy at the crime scene and during the investigative process.
Every employee is accountable to:- Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
- Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
- Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
- Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
- Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
- Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
- Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
- Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
- Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
- Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
- Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
GENERAL COMPETENCIES Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:- Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
- Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
- Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
- Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
- Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
- Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
- Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
Job Specific - Every employee in this position must be able to:- Have a working understanding of the Victim Rights Amendment and the responsibilities outlined for Law Enforcement and The Court as they apply to the function of the Victim Advocate position
- Have the ability to educate victim and witness regarding the various process involved with a case and the general steps of a court case
- Each advocate has on call responsibility and should be able to respond to the crime scene within 30 minutes once dispatched from home or the office
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills
- Multi-task with close attention to detail
- Relate to people with a wide variety of needs, cultures and concerns while maintaining professionalism, patience, and understanding
- Develop appropriate helping communication skills and relationships
- Demonstrate knowledge of applicable State and Federal laws and the judicial system
- Establish a professional working relationship with police department personnel, judges, municipal court staff, and the District Attorney’s Office, City Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Crime Victim Compensation staff to promote trust and effective information exchange
JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks 1. Performs tasks related to victim advocacy within the scope of Federal, State, and Municipal laws and procedures, including:
- Meeting with Victims of Domestic Violence and other crimes in the Victim Services Office, at the crime scene or at the Municipal Court to provide crisis intervention and support; assess needs and safety planning, referral to community agencies and partners to prepare them for the CJS process
- Appropriately aiding victims in relocation efforts when necessary with the utilization of community, state and non-profit resources
- Escorting victims to and attend hearings to advocate for victims, may be required to address the Judge on behalf of the victim in the open courtroom at the Municipal Court
- Organizing meeting with the City Prosecutors for victims and informing victims of court dates, bond information and plea offers
- Helping Victim obtain Protection Orders or information about the process to have orders modified or vacated
- Completing necessary required documentation including services offered and actions taken in the Victim Services Data System
- Providing crisis intervention and emotional support with compassion and appropriate empathy
2. Provides on-scene assistance to victims, Police, Court, and City Attorney’s Office personnel as needed and provides access to Victim Compensation funds, including:
- Reviewing offense reports and identifying citizens that must receive or that would benefit from available services
- Responding to dispatched calls for services and meets with victims and persons experiencing personal tragedy as requested to inform victims of their rights, provide criminal justice information, assess needs, safety planning, referral to community agencies and partners, and follow up
- Assisting victims with obtaining information on status of their cases and return of property being held as evidence
- Advocating for victims within the criminal justice system and with employers, property owners, community resources, families, etc.
3. Assist victims to access virtual hearings as provided by the Westminster Municipal Court and County Courts
4. Communicates successfully and develops and maintains effective relationships including:
- Developing and maintaining appropriate helping relationship with citizens
- Maintaining a professional and respectful rapport with area district attorneys’ offices and their victim assistance programs, municipal court staff, and other law enforcement agencies and co-workers
- Functioning effectively within the prescribed chain of command
- Preparing effective written communications such as reports, memos, activity logs, etc.
- Demonstrating effective oral communication skills with the public, and with other members of the department
- Demonstrating effective communication via the police radio and other portable devices
- Dealing with other department members, as well as the City and public in a positive collaborative manner
- Demonstrating empathy and maintaining non-judgmental approach
5. Stay up-to-date on industry techniques, trends, and practices within the Victim Advocacy industry and the Victim Rights Amendment, attend annual Judicial Updates training, including:
- Maintaining knowledge of trauma impact to crisis responders and how to mitigate that impact
- Maintaining knowledge of victims’ rights and applicable changes to the Westminster Municipal Code, State, and Federal laws
- Crisis intervention techniques and case management
6. Driving requirement: on call response may require driving in inclement weather and expected routine driving between Court House and Public Safety Center
7. Maintains regular and punctual attendance and attend monthly professional meetings
Other Duties and Responsibilities Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications Required :- One (1) year previous work experience in a related field or related education
- Valid driver’s license and maintain safe driving record
Preferred :- Education is valued, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four (4)-year college or university with emphasis of study in Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or related field is preferred but not required
- Crime scene response experience and knowledge of the Criminal Justice System is valued but not required Bilingual abilities (read/write/speak) in Spanish are strongly preferred but not required
- One (1) year of victim services experience, paid or as a volunteer, with a law enforcement agency or a community-based agency providing direct services to crime victims
- 40-hour victim advocate training through a law enforcement agency or Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA)
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements Work is often sedentary in nature, and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength to:
- Constantly sit to perform daily tasks; occasionally walk through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequently stand, sometimes for extended periods
- On call response to crime scenes or outdoor locations may require working inclement weather, climbing stairs, standing for long periods of time and unexpected conditions
- Frequently squat, reach above shoulder, and twist to file documents and lift supplies and materials; occasionally bend, kneel, climb, balance, and reach below shoulder to store documents, materials, and supplies
- Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
- Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to ten (10) pounds to move supplies and material; occasionally lift, push, and pull up to 25 pounds with dollies and carts
WORKING CONDITIONS Work is primarily performed indoors and is often sedentary office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Work involves periods of high activity and stress under demanding conditions with occasional exposure to crime scenes, hospitals and forensic interview centers. Due to the nature of crisis response, work hours may not always be contained to traditional work hours. The position requires a great deal of communication with Police personnel, City employees, victims of crimes, the public, and outside agencies.
Required Materials and Equipment Must be able to operate a personal computer, telephone/cellular phone, copier, and other related office equipment.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS - Employment as a Victim Advocate is conditional upon successful completion of an oral interview and/or assessment center, psychological examination, background investigation, polygraph, or CVSA
- Must be able to pass the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check due to access to sensitive areas
- Additional testing may be required
- Drug screen
- Physical
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and have safe driving record
- Must be legally entitled to work in the United States and provide required documentation
The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:
- Health and Dental
- Flexible Spending
- Pension/ Retirement Plans
- Term Life Insurance
- Long-term Disability
- Survivor Benefits
- Wellness Program
- Education and Training Reimbursement
- General leave that provides vacation, holidays, and illness leave
For a more detailed overview of our General Non Exempt employee benefit package:
Benefit Package
The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system.In lieu of social security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.
401(a) Contribution Rates:Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.
Employer Contribution: 11.25%of your base pay.
Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule - Less than 3 years - 0%
- 3 years- 60%
- 4 years - 80%
- 5+ years - 100%
The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.
Closing Date/Time: 7/29/2024 8:30 AM Mountain
