Victim Advocate

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the Hiring Process section below to learn more.

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint however we may go slightly higher based on experience internal equity and market.

The Victim Advocate acts as a professional liaison between the police department and the prosecutors office delivering dedicated support and advocacy for domestic violence survivors. This role focuses on addressing safety concerns providing critical services throughout the prosecution process connecting survivors with appropriate community resources and works to ensure their rights are upheld within the criminal justice system.

All employees of the Police Department are expected to uphold and exhibit the Departments employee values of Respect Accountability Integrity and Service. Take a look at what our department is about at: Duties and Responsibilities

The following is a list of essential duties and responsibilities assigned to the Victim Advocate. While this list represents a good sampling of the duties of this position; it is not an exhaustive list.

• Provide domestic violence advocacy services throughout the prosecution process including crisis intervention and safety planning.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement prosecutors legal professionals and community organizations.
• Serve as a liaison between victims law enforcement prosecution other agencies and community resourcesfacilitating clear communication and support.
• Educate and assist domestic violence survivors and their families through the criminal justice process.
• Regularly reviews police reports on domestic violence to evaluate advocacy needs.
• Work with prosecutors to prepare cases track case status and maintain case records.
• Gather compile and report statistical information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under the supervision of the Police Investigations Division.
• Position requires the ability to assist and directs clients through the criminal justice process including performing advocacy functions.
• No formal supervisory responsibilities but may coordinate and lead volunteers who provide advocacy services to crime victims.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Capable of building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients law enforcement and prosecution personnel city department staff other agencies or jurisdictions public officials and the general public.
• Proven ability to assist individuals in crisis including developing safety plans for domestic violence survivors and their families.
• Skilled in interviewing survivors of domestic violence using appropriate methods procedures and techniques.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system with a comprehensive understanding of the court system including its rules and procedures.
• Familiarity with civil and criminal law along with legal terminology.
• Knowledge of available community resources.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Thorough understanding of confidentiality issues regarding victims rights defendants and service providers with the ability to appropriately maintain confidential materials and information.
• Proficient in gathering data and compiling accurate records and reports.
• Ability to work independently and effectively perform tasks with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of Windows computer operating system Microsoft Suite products (Outlook Word Excel Teams etc.)
• Knowledge of how to utilize office equipment (such as printers scanners telephones and fax machines)

Education Experience and Other Requirements

• A bachelors degree in social services human services criminal justice or related field.
• Two (2) years work experience in victim advocacy or crisis/abuse treatment.
• Or any equivalent combination of education experience and training that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities.
• Must obtain ACCESS Certification within six months of hire and maintain certification throughout the course of this assignment with the department.
• Valid Washington State drivers license at the time of appointment.
• English usage spelling grammar and punctuation required to compose and proofread written documents and correspondence.
• Applicants must be able to read and speak fluent English and either:
  1. US citizen or
  2. A lawful permanent resident or
  3. A Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient with employment authorization from USCIS

Physical Demands:The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves moving communicating operating objects tools or controls and reaching.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to transport position install and/or move objects up to 10 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office or moderately loud when in the field.

Additional Requirements:

Due to the critical and highsecurity nature of police work top candidates must pass a thorough criminal and background check polygraph and drug test.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

The following drug use (or distribution of) will be disqualifying:

• Any use of heroin
• Any possession or use of GHB or any other date rape drug including giving it to others
• Any use of any illegal drug within three years of application (Excludes marijuana which is addressed below)
• Misuse of Prescription drugs will be reviewed on a casebycase basis.
• Any use of marijuana including legal marijuana derivatives biproducts or concentrates within 12 months of application. Please note that while some states have decriminalized marijuana it is still federally illegal and police employees are expected to adhere to all laws and regulations on and off duty
• Any use of illegal drugs or marijuana since applying to or while employed by any law enforcement agency (including military police agencies)
• Any prescription forgery prosecuted undetected or otherwise within five years of application
• Any participation in or allowing of the manufacture selling offering to sell cultivation warehousing distribution holding or transporting for another transporting for sale or financing of any illegal drugs/narcotics within five years of application including extraction and concentration of THC oils from marijuana for the production of honey wax dabs or any other THC concentrate
• Any distribution of illegal drugs or illegal distribution of marijuana since applying to or while employed by any law enforcement agency (including military police agencies)

The following Criminal Violations will be disqualifying:

• Any adult felony conviction.
• Any juvenile felony conviction within the past five years.
• Any misdemeanor conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude.

• Commission of any crime of violence including domestic violence.
• Commission of any sexual offense within the past five years.
• Any conviction of a felony crime at any time while employed in any capacity with a Law Enforcement Agency (including volunteer intern and reserve positions).
• Any single theft of property or money in excess of $100 value within the past five years.

This is a nonexempt regular fulltime position represented by a collective bargaining unit.

This position is open until filled.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name address and other demographics. To help us please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter resume writing sample and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background checkprior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL) licensures or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue youll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions our interactions and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service Stewardship Commitment to Employees Integrity Innovation and Diversity Equity & Inclusion. Youll work in an environment that is innovative collaborative future focused and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. Its what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work live and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation marital status national origin genetic information disability age veteran status or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office ator .If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the EVerify program. Learn more about the EVerify program.

any technical difficulties with your application please contact the NEOGOV support line at.

** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**