Victim Advocate - Black/African American Culture Ksa

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.
Pay Range:
$29.18 - $35.73 Hourly
Department:
Department of Community Justice (DCJ)
Job Type:
Regular Represented
Exemption Status:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
December 10, 2023
The Opportunity:
Overview
Are you excited about creating effective systems of support for crime victims/survivors in Multnomah County? Are you knowledgeable about the traditions, values and customs of the Black/African American Community? Are you passionate about strengthening and building our communities and helping our neighbors heal? We are too!
The Department of Community Justice Victim and Survivor Services Unit seeks to hire a Culturally Specific Victim Advocate who will provide services to Black/African American victims/survivors of adult and juvenile crime.
The mission of the Victim and Survivor Services Unit is to support people who have experienced harm by thoughtfully meeting their individualized needs, upholding victim rights, and enhancing our community's response to victims/survivors by being a collaborative and trusted community partner that prioritizes survivor-led practices and policies. Our work is rooted and led by three core values:

• Equity
• Survivor led
• Trauma Informed

This advocacy position is predominantly remote, with scheduled work taking place in the office an average of two times per week and on an ad hoc basis to accompany a victim/survivor as they navigate our systems or to attend a critical meeting or event. This requires the advocate to have a remote work space that allows them to have confidential conversations with victims/survivors.
As the Culturally SpecificVictim Advocate for Black/African American clients, you will make an impact by:

• Providing culturally specific, trauma-informed and survivor-led advocacy services to Black/African American victims/survivors of adult and juvenile crime in order to be more responsive to the cultural needs and the impacts of both the historical and current disparities that the criminal justice system has on survivors of color.
• Establishing and maintaining contact with victims/survivors to provide information on victims' rights and assist with navigation of the Department of Community Justice system.
• Providing crisis intervention and conducting safety-planning as needed. This could include but is not limited to: working with victims/survivors to create personal safety plans, assisting victims/survivors with protective order applications, collaborating with Parole and Probation Offices and Juvenile Court Counselors to support the of victims'/survivors' safety, and providing referrals around housing and relocation.
• Providing emotional support to victims/survivors and education around the impacts of trauma.
• Making referrals to community resources when appropriate.
• Coordination and communication on case management plans with Parole and Probation Officers and Juvenile Court Counselors on associated cases.
• Maintaining records, referrals, and statistics etc.
• Accompanying victims/survivors to court when needed.
• Regularly attending unit meetings in both the juvenile and adult services division to share information and education around crime victims' rights and working with crime victims/survivors.
• Proactively outreaching and engaging with Adult Services Division and Juvenile Services Division staff to discuss cases, provide support and consultation, and share about victim/survivor services available to staff and clients.
• Assisting in the design and delivery of workshops and training programs for both the Department of Community Justice staff as well as partners such as police, prosecutors, and medical professionals.

The successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Advanced knowledge of and experience working with the Black/African American community, victim advocacy and case management services.
• Advanced knowledge of the needs of the Black/African American community and both available system and community based resources to meet those needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of the origins and results of the disparities experienced by families related to racism and socio-economic injustices and how those experiences impact victim/survivor engagement and outcomes within the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of the traditions, values and customs of the Black/African American community as well as the ability to identify specific examples of experience working directly with individuals and families who identify with the Black/African American community.
• Experience working with and supporting victims/survivors, and understanding of crime victims' rights under Oregon Law.
• Ability to promote a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and values.
• Knowledge of cultures, dynamics, and customs of traditionally oppressed communities.
• Knowledge of local resources and agencies that support victims/survivors.
• Understanding of the effects of abuse, trauma, and vicarious trauma.
• Knowledge and understanding of trauma informed care principles and practice and restorative justice.
• Comfort with change.
• Experience navigating the criminal and juvenile justice system.
• Comfort with proactive engagement with internal system partners on an ongoing basis.
• Ability to work from home/remotely as this position has been assessed as Routine Telework.

WORKFORCE EQUITY
At Multnomah County we are committed to maintaining an effective, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value collaborative problem solving and strive for continuous improvement. We strongly believe in workforce equity, diversity and inclusion. Visit our Workforce Equity Strategies Plan (WESP) to see where Multnomah County is headed with these values.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE
Vision ~ Community Safety through Positive Change
The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is recognized as a national leader in both adult and juvenile community justice. DCJ routinely consults and makes use of evidence-based practices in our program and policy development. The Department's commitment to data-informed decision-making has led DCJ to make smart investments of taxpayer dollars in supervision, sanctions, and services for the county's highest risk and highest need justice-involved individuals. DCJ makes long-term investments in its employees through the provision of education and training. The Department believes that in order to enhance public safety we must work collaboratively with the judiciary, law enforcement, schools, treatment agencies, and the community.
The Department shares information with community members, partners, and staff to keep communities safe by preventing and reducing crime and routinely evaluating which local policies support best practices. DCJ operates 24 hours a day, with nearly 600 permanent, on-call, and temporary employees. The Department supervises approximately 9,000 justice-involved individuals annually and those defendants requiring pretrial services. DCJ's Juvenile Services Division operates the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Facility and is responsible for approximately 360 youth on formal and informal community supervision.
More general information about the Department of Community Justice including our mission, vision, and strategies can be found at:www.multco.us/dcj
The Department of Community Justice's Strategic Plan (Executive Summary and Full report) can be found at:https://multco.us/file/68223/download
Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Every day, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.
Internal candidates: After you have applied, you will receive the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire in your Workday inbox. Your application as an internal candidate is not complete until you fill out and submit the Oregon Veteran Preference Questionnaire.
To Qualify:
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.
Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Special Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA) - Black/African American Cultural Competency - Knowledge of the traditions, values and customs of the community being served as well as the ability to identify specific examples of experience working directly with individuals and families who identify with the Black/African American Community.
• Associate's Degree with major coursework in criminal justice, restorative justice, social work, program evaluation, public administration, or related field, or relevant experience (professional work at or near the level of this position can substitute year for year for the educational requirement);
• 2 or more years working with victims of crime and/or survivors of violence.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain a valid driver's license.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation, which includes being fingerprinted.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Successful completion of 40 hour victim/survivor advocacy training.
• Experience providing advocacy services to victims/survivors with disabilities and/or LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
• Experience using harm reduction, survivor-led, trauma informed approaches to support trauma survivors.

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION:
The Application Packet:
Please be sure to provide the materials below in your application submission:

• Online Application: Explain all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in the education and work experience sections of the application.
• A Resume: Please indicate how you meet the required minimum qualifications. Be sure to explain in detail, including dates, all related work experience, paid or unpaid any relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, the number of employees under your supervision.
• A Cover Letter (optional): This should expand on your resume, address why you are interested in this position and demonstrate how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed.

Note: The application, resume, and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.
The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Additional review of preferred qualifications to identify those highest qualified
• A phone screen, oral exam, or written exam may be used to determine the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/Interviews
• Background Investigation and fingerprinting

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Type of Position: This hourly position is eligible for overtime.
Type: Represented
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week
Location: Routine Telework (must live in Oregon or Washington); Regular office hours, one or two times per week, required.
Multnomah County offers a comprehensive benefit package to all eligible employees. A few highlights include:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision).
• Qualify for a defined benefit pension after five years of vesting; we pick up the employee's share of the retirement contribution (6% of subject wages).
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, parental, bereavement, military etc.)
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts
• Access to a free annual Trimet bus pass
• Access to wellness resources

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, regular, temporary, limited duration, and on-call positions. Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.
Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or...