Domestic Violence Advocate

MARQUETTE COUNTY - To apply please complete the application available on our website: www.co.marquette.mi.us

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATE

Prosecuting Attorney 

Non-Exempt $18.00 per hour

Non-represented

Under the supervision of the Prosecuting Attorney directs and manages the Marquette County Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy project supported by federal funding under the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Rural grant program. General duties to include domestic violence victim contact and assistance; coordination of the Marquette County Domestic Violence Coalition; training coordination and grant partner collaboration across roles and agencies.

1. Responsible for contacting victims of domestic violence, especially intimate partner violence victims, to attempt to assess their safety level, assist in connecting them with local advocacy and/or other community advocacy agencies as needed.

2. Solicit domestic violence victims input regarding the criminal case, make notes of case relevant information, and communicate that information to the prosecutor(s) assigned to the case.

3. Educate victims on the basics of case processing, maintaining victim safety as the guide in sharing of information provided by them during conversations and confirm for them the differences in confidentiality between this role and a community victim service advocate.

4. Act as a liaison for domestic violence victims for the prosecutor’s office, answering basic case questions, explaining to them the criminal case process, assisting them in participating to the extent they are able/willing, and advocating on their behalf with prosecutors on the case.

5. Incorporate into practice the Blueprint for Safety initiative that focuses on victim safety and offender accountability.

6. Assist with the coordination, preparation, and facilitation of the County Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition and any needed practitioner work groups designed to facilitate communication and/or collaboration across agencies; and assist in requested information-gathering efforts designed to assess current practice or policy.

7. Assist as needed in scheduling the logistics for applicable practitioners relating to grant authorized out of area trainings as well as local project funded authorized trainings.

8. Collaborate with Women’s Center Advocates to organize surveys, survivor advisory groups and interviews with survivors, wrapping this feedback into the policy implementation and updating work groups and discussions.

9. Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all local law enforcement, criminal justice, community based advocacy, and other community agencies to facilitate domestic violence response connections and system improvement efforts.

10. Assist in the updating of criminal justice system domestic violence policies and protocols.

11. Assist in other areas of victim rights and support of domestic violence victims within the needs and responsibility of the Prosecutor’s Office as needed.

12. Assist or lead on grant writing and managing, as needed.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (criminal justice, social work, psychology).

Experience: One year of experience working with domestic violence victims. Preference will be given to candidates with additional Criminal Justice experience.

Other Requirements: The ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of professionals to move projects and initiatives forward. Well organized, analytical and diplomatic. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Working knowledge of battered women’s/persons’ experiences and the dynamics of battering and other forms of domestic violence.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Physical Requirements:

· Ability to access all courtrooms within the County.

· Ability to travel throughout the County of Marquette and to out-of-County or nationally sponsored training events.

· Ability to remove books and other reference materials from bookshelves and transport to various worksites.

· Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods while in the courtroom.

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.

Working Conditions:

· Works in offices, meeting rooms, and courtrooms.

· Exposure to individuals in emotional crisis.

· Exposure to individuals charged and/or convicted of a variety of criminal offenses.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Marquette, MI 49855: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person