Portsmouth - Victim/Witness Advocate

Job Announcement

Portsmouth NH Police Department

Now Hiring

VICTIM/WITNESS ADVOCATE

DEPARTMENT: Portsmouth Police Department

POSITION TITLE: Victim/Witness Advocate

CLASSIFICATION LEVEL: 7

SALARY RANGE: $41,588 - $52,819

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree in psychology, criminal justice, social work, human services, sociology or a related field.
• Training in victimology, crisis intervention, counseling techniques, sexual assault, domestic violence, child sexual abuse,
• homicide and grieving issues.
• Experience:  Three years’ experience in crisis intervention or related work with victims of crime.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides a broad range of support duties to reduce the emotional, financial and physical impact of criminal victimization, and assist victims and witnesses with problems that result from their victimization.   Provides 24 hour, 7 day a week support services to victims, victims' families, and witnesses to include crisis intervention, education, and assistance throughout the criminal justice process system. Assure that the Victims' Bill of Rights is adhered to.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Serves as liaison between victims/witnesses, investigators, attorneys, prosecutors, the Portsmouth Police Department, and community organizations.  This position is meant to build on-going positive relationships and trust with the victims/witnesses.
2. Provides crisis intervention to victims and witnesses to meet their urgent emotional and/or physical needs. This may include accompanying investigators to meet and provide support and referrals to the victims and /or referring victims to area crisis centers or applicable community resources.
3. Interviews or participates in interviews of victims including those involved in domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
4. Meets with victims/witnesses prior to indictment of case.
5. Explains judicial process to victims, witnesses, and their families to ensure they are informed regarding the judicial system.
6. Advises victims and their families of their rights and the availability of the Prosecutor to assist in exercising their rights.
7. Ascertains the whereabouts and immediate availability of all parties at all times.
8. Contacts victims/witnesses for scheduled depositions, hearings, etc., and advises all prosecution participants of any court dates and/or changes in scheduled proceedings.
9. Prepares witnesses for court testimony, including coordination of schedules with court system, and assists in the preparation of victim impact statements to be used at sentencing, as required.
10. Attends depositions, court hearings and trials to provide support and information to victims, witnesses and their families, as required.
11. Keeps victims/witnesses notified of case status, to include hearings and trial dates, continuances, pre-trial releases, plea discussions, dispositions and sentencing.
12. Advises victims/witnesses of the outcome of any hearing and explains its portent.
13. Draws up subpoenas in certain instances (ex: domestic violence cases).
14. Assists detectives with victim/witness follow-up on cases.
15. Assists in the development of policies and procedures concerning services provided to victims, information sharing, and the handling of complaints.
16. Provides consultation and training to PPD staff, other local agencies, and partners.
17. Establishes and updates a client database and services provided to meet agency and federal/state grant requirements.
18. Maintains up-to-date information on the Portsmouth Police website.
19. Writes grants to fund this position and its operations, if available.

EXAMPLES OF OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs all other duties where needed and as assigned in all things incidental  to the prosecution  efforts of the office.
2. Maintains a comprehensive database of community  services and agencies for victim referrals.

Please direct questions regarding this position to evansh@cityofportsmouth.com

Jobs close at 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the deadline date specified, or when the position capacity has been met, or unless otherwise specified in the announcement. If the deadline date is not specified in the announcement, the agency has sole discretion on setting the deadline and jobs may close without notice. It is the applicant's responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the deadline requirements and capacity limits as outlined by the agency.

Applicants are responsible for checking their email and logging into their PoliceApp, PublicSafetyApp, FireFighterApp or EmployementApp account to monitor for emails, scheduling and process updates.