Volunteer Victim Advocate

Volunteer Victim Advocates will be trained to provide crisis intervention to victims of crime or other individuals who have experienced a traumatic event. Victim Advocates provide information on the criminal justice system, resources and referrals, aid in acquiring emergency shelter, and facilitate other immediate needs. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Victim Assistance Program provides victim assistance services to individuals in unincorporated Arapahoe County, the City of Centennial, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Bow Mar/Columbine Valley, Cherry Creek State Park, and the Town of Bennett.

**Anticipated Academy Dates: Tuesday, April 01, 2025 - Saturday, May 03, 2025**

The Victim Advocate Volunteer Academy, with an anticipated start date of Tuesday April 01, 2025, will have class on Tuesday evenings from 6pm-9pm (virtual) and on Saturdays from 8am-1pm (in-person). The academy will last approximately five weeks. You must attend all trainings or have the ability to make them up.

Volunteers are required to take two on-call shifts per month of their choosing; shifts are Monday - Thursday 5:30pm-6am, Friday 5:30pm-7am, Saturday either 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am, and Sunday either 7am-7pm or 7pm-6am. Volunteers are also required to attend the monthly Victim Assistance Program meeting the first Monday of every month from 6:30pm-8pm (in-person).

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Victim Assistance Supervisor, this position provides professional and administrative support, information and resources to victims of crimes.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required.

• Provides comprehensive direct services to crime victims while fulfilling responsibilities mandated by the Victim Rights Amendment, including first response with victims of crime in unincorporated Arapahoe County, the City of Centennial, and other jurisdictions as requested.
• Educates (and assists if necessary) victims or other community members on how to obtain and enforce protection orders.
• Provides crisis intervention in the immediate aftermath of a crime through the investigation and the return of property.
• Aids victims in their effort towards the process of recovery, through intervention and advocacy.
• Functions as a liaison between victims, other community members, and allied professionals with Patrol and Detention Deputies, Investigators, and the criminal justice system in its entirety.
• Provides information and referrals to community programs and resources as well as assists with applications and requirements for Victim Compensation if needed.
• Provides support and resources through the transition to community programs.
• Works closely with victim's families in an effort to help them aid their victimized family member.
• Participates in facilitation of community debriefing and educational support for major incidents.
• Provides resource information to families of out of control juveniles.
• Maintains accurate client records and other databases.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment including commonly used computer software programs.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined at the Sheriff's Office discretion.
• Performs duties onsite, except those job duties that are customarily or by nature performed offsite.
• Follows and supports the mission, values, organizational philosophies, operational principals, code of conduct, and policies and procedures of the Sheriff's Office.
• Interacts effectively with others.
• Victim Advocate Volunteers are required to take two on-call shifts per month of their choosing; shifts are Monday - Thursday 5:30pm-6am, Friday 5:30pm-7am, Saturday either 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am, and Sunday either 7am-7pm or 7pm-6am. Volunteers are also required to attend the monthly Victim Assistance Program meeting the first Monday of every month from 6:30pm-8pm (in-person).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge on how to be an advocate for victims.
• Knowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs.
• Skilled in conflict resolution.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by position.
• Ability to remain sensitive and supportive to victims, without becoming emotionally involved in their issues.
• Ability to keep an open, non-judgmental attitude towards victims, regardless of the circumstances.
• Ability to explain the intricacies of the investigation and court process.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow workers, court officials, other law enforcement officials and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff.
• Ability to get along well with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: None.

EXPERIENCE: None.

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: None.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Must be available for 24 hour on call as scheduled or as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Spends 80% of the time sitting, 10% standing and 10% walking while on the job.
• Constantly uses eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery and writing utensils.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication.
• Frequently uses visual capacity enabling completion of required office duties.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches and balances

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:

Contact is with individuals outside the Sheriff's Office and within the Agency, including crime victims, disaster victims, co-workers, the media, other law enforcement agencies and Local, State and Federal institutions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally limited to telephone contact with some of the job occurring in a field setting.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

This position has been determined to be an EXTREME exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".

APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:

Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - Applicants who have recent illegal drug usage will be disqualified. Recent drug use includes marijuana within one (1) year and all other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years. All other illegal drug use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Any felony conviction

• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.

• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest

• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior

• Documented record of prior work performance

• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement

• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position

• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contacts(s)

• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:

The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s) and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.

Additional required tests/examinations also include:

• Phase I Suitability Exam
• Polygraph Examination

Additional screening may include:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.

EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

WORK SCHEDULES:

Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.

DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:

All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agencies bureaus, sections or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.

COMMUNITY POLICING:

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.

POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:

Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than six (6) months from the date they took the written test. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriff's Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer, who fully supports and complies with ADA, EEOE M/F/D/V/SO.

Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627. Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.