Job Description
Job Summary The position serves as the Victim Advocate for victims of felony-level child abuse and exploitation and works as a part of the CJC multidisciplinary team on-site at the Children's Justice Center (CJC). CJC's Victim Advocates provide information and support about systemic procedures and processes and provides linkages to needed services and community resources. Duties involve initiating contact with victims and witnesses, providing assistance and in-court support to victims, explaining court processes, and participating in case discussions with CJC multidisciplinary team members. This position is a 0.75 FTE position and reports directly to the CJC Executive Director. Funding for this position is currently through December 2025 but may be converted to a permanent position should additional funding be secured.
This position is represented and requires membership in Local 11 - OPEIU (Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO). Initiation fee and membership dues will be deducted from employee pay.
Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree with major course work in justice administration, counseling, psychology, or social sciences, conferred by an accredited institution of higher education
- Three years of direct work experience in a victim advocate role and formal training in victim advocacy services
- Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities will be considered
- Experience and knowledge of the criminal justice and/or child welfare system and prior work experience on a child abuse multidisciplinary team including effective communication with children, teens and non-offending family members
- Experience as an advocate in a Children's Advocacy Center is preferred
- Bilingual (Spanish-English) speaking and writing skills are preferred
The ideal candidate will have the following strengths: - Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organizational, time management and conflict management skills
- Knowledge and experience in providing support and advocacy services for child victims of abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caregivers
- An understanding of how to maintain a neutral and trauma-informed position on a Children's Advocacy Center team
- Knowledge of how to fulfill mandated reporting responsibilities and hold victim confidentiality as a systems-based victim advocate
- Understanding of the roles of multidisciplinary team members including but not limited to representatives of law enforcement, medical and mental health providers, Child Protective Services, prosecutors, and community-based victim advocates
- Appropriate coordination, communication and cooperation within a child abuse multidisciplinary team
Knowledge of: Laws and regulations related to victim/witness' rights and the criminal justice system; procedures of Superior, District and Juvenile Courts; Children's Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team model; child welfare response and interventions; available community counseling resources and programs; principles and practices of victim advocacy services; crisis intervention techniques; experience working with diverse populations; accessing resources including crisis intervention services; and how to manage confidential case notes and files.
Ability to: Work well as a member of a collaborative, professional, trauma informed child abuse response team to provide a comprehensive and coordinated response with law enforcement, prosecutors, medical and mental health providers and child protective workers; advocate for victims; provide information to victims and their non-offending family members in an understandable manner; provide culturally appropriate advocacy services and ensure accommodations for special needs; effectively build rapport and interact with children and their non-offending family members; schedule and manage time well; provide services in a timely manner; understand and follow established laws, regulations, policies and procedures that direct the work and role of an advocate; maintain an independent advocate role while collaborating with other disciplines who share the same client; efficient use of a computer; drive and have a car available to utilize when necessary to meet with clients off site; and maintain confidential records.
SELECTION PROCESS Applications will be accepted until an adequate number of applications are received or the position is filled. This recruitment may be closed at any time after the first review date of 12/31/2024.
Application Review - An on-line application is required. Incomplete applications will not pass the review; attaching a resume or referring to a resume does not substitute for a completed application. Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their applications and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.
Cover Letter (Required) - In addition to the Clark County application, applicants shall submit a cover letter articulating their knowledge of CJC and interest in the specific position posted. Document must be added to the Documents section of My Application. Please include the Recruitment Number in the file name (i.e., [Last Name]Cover Letter IRCxxxx.doc).
Oral Interview - The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job posting. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.
Employment References, including former supervisors, will be conducted for the final candidates. Applicants shall also provide verification of education completed.
Driver License verification and criminal background checks will be performed prior to final selection.
Examples of Duties KEY OR TYPICAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide victim advocacy services, working with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to provide services and support for suspected child abuse and exploitation victims and witnesses.
- Assess individual needs and cultural considerations of victims/witnesses and their families, and coordinate referrals to community resources such as counseling, health and support groups and other appropriate services as needed.
- Conduct crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment and safety planning and support for victims/witnesses and family members at all stages of involvement with CJC.
- Inform victims and families about CJC services, the investigative process, justice system and court proceedings; escort victims to court and explain procedures and forms; inform victims/witnesses about victims' rights.
- Engage victim/witness and non-offending family members regarding participation in the investigation and/or prosecution processes; consult with and provides suggestions and information to assigned attorneys regarding the status of witnesses and expectations for court testimony.
- Accompany suspected victim at medical examinations and provide information and support to victim and family members.
- Advocate for restitution for the victim; refer any restitution information to the CJC Prosecuting Attorney Unit regarding victim's needs that become known.
- Assist victim and/or family with applications for crime victim compensation.
- Assist victims of violent crimes in the preparation and presentation of their claims to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with community, human and social service agencies to which victims may be referred, and with other agencies in the criminal justice and child welfare systems.
- Review completed cases by examining case records and reports; provide feedback and suggestions to other team members regarding case methodologies and procedures as they relate to victim services.
- Participate in MDT case review to discuss the unique needs of the victim/witness and family and plan associated support services; ensure the seamless coordination of services; ensure the victim/witness and family's concerns are heard and addressed.
- Make presentations to community groups to educate and inform the public about CJC's services to and rights of victims.
- Recommend modifications to program objectives, policies, procedures and strategies to improve service quality.
- Maintain case notes, files and case tracking program; work as a team with other advocates to prepare the annual report and other reports and statistics as may be needed.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Salary Grade Local 11.8
Salary Range $27.99 - $37.78- per hour
Close Date Open Until Filled
Recruiter Keely Warren
Email: Keely.Warren@clark.wa.gov
Equal Opportunity Employer Clark County is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, access, and delivery of all county services. Clark County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan is available at
Employee Benefits and additional compensation Clark County provides regular full-time and part-time employees with a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, vision and dental insurance, paid leave, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and long-term disability, retirement, and deferred compensation. Some types of employees in some positions and bargaining units might have different benefits and additional compensation. More specific benefit information for the different bargaining units can be found at Also please refer to the specific bargaining unit contract for additional compensation at
Retirement Information All Clark County employees must participate in a WASHINGTON STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM PLAN (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF).Employee contributions begin the first day of work.
Current contribution rates vary by plan but could range from 5% to 15% of gross pay, depending on the plan choice. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site here:
If you are in need of ADA/Section 504 assistance for accommodations, please contact Human Resources at (564) 397-2456; Relay (800) 833-6388. Clark County
Job Tags
Hourly pay, Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Felony friendly, Flexible hours,