Bilingual Victim Assistance Specialist

Note: This job will be posted through 11:59 PM of the day prior to the closing date listed above.

Current Washington County Employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

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About the Opportunity:

The District Attorney's Office currently has a vacancy for a Bilingual Victim Assistance Specialist. This positionrequires the employee tocommunicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing in Spanish.

The District Attorney's Office has rewarding career opportunities on a dynamic and passionate team of Victim Advocates. The Bilingual Victim Assistance Specialist will provide advocacy, education, and support to crime victims in felony and misdemeanor cases, acting as a liaison between the victim, prosecutors, law enforcement, and community resources.

The Victim Assistance Specialist (victim advocate) will have a caseload of all types of cases. The victim advocate will primarily work with a few assigned Deputy District Attorneys and cover their entire caseloads. The victim advocate will work closely with the other victim advocates on the team in making sure that all of the cases and court appearances will be covered on a daily basis. The position requires in depth understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system and the roles of the various persons in that system. The position requires the victim advocate to have an understanding of the effects of trauma and the appropriate response techniques and to understand the appropriate resources in the community that are available to assist victims of crime. The position requires a great deal of communication with victims both in person, on the phone, and in writing to inform them of their statutory and constitutional rights and assist them in asserting them. The advocate must keep detailed and intricate documentation in the case file and in the computer data base regarding the nature and frequency of the victim contacts. This position requires the victim advocate accompany the victim to various court appearances. This position will require some preliminary work with victims to assist in the documentation of possible claims for restitution. This position may require meetings with community partners to support joint efforts to assist victims of crime. This position may require giving presentations about the role of the victim advocate to community groups, partners, or trainings. This position will be expected to keep up on current laws, policies and skills in the area of victim assistance and will be given opportunities for additional training and professional growth and development.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position will have an in-depth understanding of victim advocacy, the complexities of the criminal justice system, and the roles of the various persons in that system. They will understand the resources in the community that are available to assist victims of crime, and possess exceptional communication skills. They will possess strong time management skills, attention to detail, and an ability to work effectively in a high volume, fast-paced work environment. They will also have an understanding of the effects of trauma and the appropriate response techniques, including crisis intervention.

To review the classification specification, click here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cowashingtonor/classspecs/105397

Bilingual Positions:Designated bilingual positions require that the incumbent have knowledge of another language besides English. It is required to possess precise writing skills (including spelling, grammar, and punctuation), fluent speaking skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.Upon successfully passing the applicable proficiency assessment test in a selected language, employees will receive bilingual pay in the amount of five percent (5%) of their base pay rate, exclusive of any other incentive pay, or a flat rate of seventy-five dollars ($75) per pay period, whichever is greater.

Minimum Qualifications

• An associate degree or equivalent in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, or related fields; and one (1) year of experience as an advocate in the justice system, probation, victim assistance, or other closely related areas serving vulnerable populations.

OR

• Three (3) years of work experience as an advocate in the justice system, probation, victim assistance, or other closely related areas serving vulnerable populations.

Additional Requirements

• Possession of a Victim Service Professional certification within one (1) year of hire date (DA's Office only).

• Must pass a comprehensive background investigation.

• Require oral and written fluency in Spanish

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses.Please note:Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluatedseparatelyfrom your application.

Supplemental Information

Apply Today: We ask that you complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Law

MQ Review:HR will screen applications for minimum qualifications after the posting closes.

SME Review: Applications for candidates that meet minimum qualifications will be forwarded to a panel of subject matter experts (SME) who will review and score the responses to your supplemental questions and other application materials. This process may take up to 2 weeks.

Panel Interview(s):Our goal is to schedule panel interviews with candidates that meet the minimum qualifications andpass the SME reviewas soon as possible.

Please note:candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification.

Our commitment to you
Washington County is an equal opportunity employer committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We promote employee development and offer an award-winning benefits and wellness program as well as an opportunity to serve and support our vibrant community.

Veterans' Preference
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review the instructions using this link:Veterans' Preference Points.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail:Careers@WashingtonCountyOR.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email.

Questions Regarding This Recruitment?
Contact Brighton Bohnenkamp, Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Brighton_Bohnenkamp@washingtoncountyor.gov

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