<p>Job Information</p> <p>Are you looking for a meaningful career that has a positive impact on the community? If you answeredYES, come join the City of Sparks! Aside from working for an organization that is dedicated to the community, you will also receive a generous and competitive salary and benefit package. Some benefits may include tuition reimbursement, bilingual pay (when applicable) and retirement plans. People who come to Sparks, stay in Sparks.</p> <p>The ideal candidate: The Police Department is looking for a qualified individual to fill the position of Victim Advocate which will be assigned to their Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit.In addition to the the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have previous workexperience in a public agency setting as a victim advocate, social worker, or counselor.While not required for the job, the ideal candidate will have fluent bilingual skills and abilities in two languages to include English and another emerging language highly utilized by those requiring language support.</p> <p>Are you the ideal candidate? If so, apply now!</p> <p>Application Tips:</p> <ul> <li>COMPLETELY fill out and updateyour general online application before attaching it to any new job posting. HR reviews information listed on the application submitted to the specific job posting. HR does NOT use personnel files in the screening process. </li><li>Contact information:use an email address you can easily access at any time. </li><li>The Qualificationssection below is your guide to understand what the City is looking for on your application, use this to your advantage. It is up to the candidate seeking employment/promotion to include all relevant information for qualification purposes, on the application the candidate submits to be considered for the job. </li><li>DOattach:licenses/transcripts/certificates that will demonstrate you meet the education or certification requirements (see qualifications section to determine what documents to attach) or preferred experience/education. </li><li>DONOTattach resumes or cover letters. The City of Sparks does not review these items with the application. </li></ul> <p>If you have any questions, please email hrstaff@cityofsparks.us. The City of Sparks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION</p> <p>Under general supervision, provide advocacy and support for victims of crime while assessing victim needs on an individual level and working with other community resources and partners to provide general support and advocacy for identified victims. Assist witnesses in court, prepare and process a variety of reports for statistical tracking, perform office support duties and adhere to legal and court procedures.</p> <p>DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS</p> <p>This single position class is assigned to the Police Department and is expected to perform duties with little supervision.</p> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications to continue in the recruitment process:</p> <p>Education and Experience:</p> <p>Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in criminal justice, social work or related field.</p> <p>OR</p> <p>Equivalent combination of education and related experience in criminal justice, social work, counseling, or victim advocacy where related work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the Bachelor's Degree.</p> <p>Licenses and Certificates:</p> <p>Must possess within thirty (30) days of hire and maintain throughout employment, the equivalent to a valid Nevada Class C driver's license.</p> <p>Must possess within six (6) months of hire and maintain throughout employment, a valid NCIC/CJIS Certification.</p> <p>Examples of Essential Duties</p> <p>Assist victims of crime when requested by law enforcement at crime scenes, hospitals or other safe locations. When and as needed, accompany victims to hospitals and/or court. Provide emotional support, referrals and information to victims including but not limited to crime victims' rights and victim compensation information and/or applications. Work closely with and interact with detectives, patrol officers, supervisors, service providers, other advocates, other governmental agencies and the public to ensure victims' rights and needs are addressed.</p> <p>Keep victims informed with accurate information regarding the status of their case. Contact victims on a follow-up basis to provide additional information, case status and resource materials and referrals. Provide information to victim regarding legal rights and protections.</p> <p>Work together with community partners to provide community resources that may support and fulfill victim needs such as but not limited to, shelter, transportation, counseling, referrals, food, property return, general advocacy and support. Assist victims with safety planning, identifying immediate needs and identifying resources related to potential compensation or funeral needs. Complete case intake paperwork for each victim contact made and ensure proper documentation of the services provided and referrals made. Send appropriate literature to victims via mail and/or electronic or other written means.</p> <p>Conduct thorough case management on all applicable cases; case management includes but is not limited to the coordination of care, advocacy for the victim and providing access and information to resources. Follow up with all applicable victim contacts; document statistics and prepare monthly reports on advocacy provided.</p> <p>Participate and collaborate on advisory boards, committees and provide input and leadership on Multi-Disciplinary Teams. When the position is Grant Funded, may be assigned to special units at the Police Department such as but not limited to the Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit or other specialized units.</p> <p>Teach Victims' Rights and Resource information to police recruits and sworn staff. Participate in applicable victim and witness advocacy programs. Maintain strict confidentiality of crime victims and all related personal identifiable information (PII).</p> <p>Perform other duties which may be assigned.</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:</p> <ul> <li>Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws and victim's rights pertaining to area of assignment </li><li>Knowledge of trauma response and the impact on victims </li><li>Knowledge of operations, services and activities of a victim and witness advocacy program </li><li>Knowledge of methods of research, case analysis and management </li><li>Knowledge of court procedures, codes, processes and terminology </li><li>Knowledge of principles and procedures of legal, grant, and financial record keeping </li><li>Knowledge of legal office practices and procedures including filing and business letter Ability to apply effective interviewing techniques, listening skills and use compassionate communication and counseling skills </li><li>Knowledge of principles and practices of emergency management </li><li>Knowledge of and ability to use computer applications and software related to the work including but not limited to Microsoft Office </li><li>Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, and to use appropriate English language grammar to include the correct use of spelling and punctuation </li><li>Ability to use a variety of legal terminology, concepts and court procedures </li><li>Ability to organize and maintain accurate files and records </li><li>Ability to organize work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines </li><li>Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines </li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work </li><li>Ability to train others in work procedures </li></ul> <p>Physical Demands:</p> <p>Requires ability to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment. Requires the ability to sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time. Ability to adapt to the surroundings of the victim's environment both indoors and outdoors. Occasionally lift and bend. Ability to cope with emergency or stressful situations. Aside from working in a general office environment, in which the majority of the work is sedentary in nature with major exposure to a computer screen, the person in this position will be expected to cope with and be effective in the face of workplace stressors such as, but not limited to, exposure to information that may be sensitive and graphic and may be emotionally difficult to process, maintaining the security of information, people and property, competing priorities of reasonable or high significance to the successful function of the department, etc.</p> <p>When the position is assigned to a special unit, may be located in a regional building outside of the Sparks Police Department.</p> <p>SUPPLEMENTAL JOB POSTING INFORMATION</p> <ul> <li>This position is Exempt under FLSA guidelines </li><li>This position is at-will and exempt from the Regulations of the Civil Service Commission </li><li>This position reports to a Police Sergeant </li><li>Supervision exercised: None </li><li>Required to be called back, held over, work off-hours, nights, weekends and holiday shifts </li><li>Required to work during emergency circumstances or inclement weather conditions </li><li>Must submit a fingerprint card </li><li>May be required to pass a pre-placement drug screen and detailed background investigation </li></ul> <p>Application and Recruitment Information</p> <p>You are required to submit any required documents as requested above, at time of application for further consideration. Failure to submit the required and/or requested information may result in rejection of your application.</p> <p>Recruitment Communication:</p> <p>Human Resources will be contacting you at various stages of the recruitment process via email, even if you have chosen U.S. mail for prior application processes or for applications with other agencies. Please make sure your email address is accurate.</p> <p>Reasonable Accommodation:</p> <p>Human Resources will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled candidates in the selection process. If you have special needs, please notify the Human Resources office when you turn in your application or at least three (3) business days prior to the examination/interview by calling (775) 353-2345.</p> <p>Disclaimer:</p> <p>The City of Sparks reserves the right to select applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications for the position.</p>