Victim Advocate- Pre-Filling Felony Domestic Violent Unit

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Victim Advocate on the Pre-filling Felony Domestic Violence Unit. This position involves complex legal work and requires specialized knowledge in the areas of domestic violence, victim advocacy and criminal justice. The pre-filing felony DV Victim Advocate will work within the DV Unit to provide advocacy services to victims of domestic violence. The advocate will provide independent support, uphold victim's rights, and give a voice to crime victims by providing relevant information related to the victim's safety concerns and wishes to the prosecutor and will act as a liaison with prosecutor to facilitate stronger victim engagement. The general responsibilities of the advocate are addressing victim safety concerns; providing direct services to victims during pre-filing stage; serving as a liaison between victims and key players in the criminal justice system; connecting victims to appropriate community resources; and working to ensure that victim's rights are honored in the criminal justice system. If you seek enriching, meaningful work and a chance to serve your community while working as part of a collaborative team, this opportunity may be for you.
We value diversity in our team and embrace the cultural and demographic qualities of the King County community. We work to attract and retain a team that represents the range of backgrounds and perspectives that arise from differences of culture and circumstances. We value the ideas and brilliance that come from lived experience. Candidates with such experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
About the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
The Mainstream Criminal Division is the largest of six divisions and is organized into several different units. See the Criminal Division Overview for more information. We are guided by our core values of Justice, Integrity, Compassion, Professionalism, and Leadership.

Our mission is to do justice:

• We exercise the power given to us by the people with fairness and humility.
• We serve our diverse community, support victims and families, and hold individuals accountable.
• We develop innovative and collaborative solutions for King County and the State of Washington.

kvargas@kingcounty.gov

*Employees with less than 2 years of service will receive .25 per hour less than the hourly salary table due to a mandatory contribution toward the Teamsters Pension Trust that was voted by members of Teamsters Local No. 117.

• Provides immediate crisis intervention to domestic violence victims with highest priority given to the safety of victims,
• Provides support, assistance and information to victims during pre-filing stage, which includes being available to respond to questions or concerns, explaining the legal process, and keeping the victim informed of court hearings and outcomes of hearings, including 1st appearance hearings.
• Assesses victim's short- and long-term needs and refers to appropriate community resources.
• Notify and engage with victims from the time immediately following the arrest or a referral from law enforcement agencies until case filing; provide critical case updates and facilitate crime victim engagement during critical stages and decision points during pre-filing process.
• Communicate legal rights and case updates to victims, engage in victim rights enforcement.
• Deploy advocacy skills, crisis and case management, and de-escalation techniques as needed.
• Assess impacts and needs resulting from crime victimization and trauma, connect victims with community resources and service providers to address identified needs.
• Assist in developing coordinated safety plans with crime victims as appropriate.
• Develop strong and effective working relationships with DPA's, Case Development Specialists, Paralegals, Law Enforcement, and other system entities to empower, support and educate victims through the Criminal Justice System pre-filing process.
• Coordinate advocacy transition to trail advocates after charges are filed.
• When needed, assist crime victims filing for civil protection orders, including drafting orders, completing declarations, and other legal documents for court hearings, including 1st appearance hearing.
• Attend 1st appearance hearing as necessary, advocate and speak on behalf of victims in and out of court; prepare victims for court testimony.
• Make appropriate warm handoff and referrals to community-based organizations and agencies to address relevant social service needs associated with their victimization.
• Coordinate outreach efforts to build and foster necessary community partnerships with community organizations to address the identified needs outlined by crime survivors.
• Conduct and produce trainings and participate in outreach events related to caseload and impacts of victimization.
• Engage race, equity and social justice principles in regular job duties and decision making.
• Gather and compile statistical data.
• Additional responsibilities and/or tasks may be incorporated, or existing ones modified as business needs evolve.

• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of current, civil, family and criminal law and terminology, court rules, policies and procedures.
• Well-developed knowledge of human behavior, family dynamics, and domestic violence.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people in crisis, including safety planning for victims and families.
• Must be able to empathize and establish rapport with victims, communicate court procedures and provide emotional support to victims.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to communicate professionally and effectively with individuals, groups and in the courtroom.
• Considerable knowledge of local related community resources
• Demonstrated ability to work within and across systems including law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, community partners and the public
• Skill in working with diverse populations
• Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgment and also function as a team player
• Ability to problem-solve and identify needed procedural and policy changes
• Demonstrated ability to manage voluminous and sensitive caseloads. Exceptional ability to multitask and meet case specific deadlines.
• Any combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with co-workers, management, attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement, community partners and the general public
• Actively participate in PAO equity work, attending equity trainings and discussion. Provide support for the Race, Equity and Social Justice policy and principles, work with PAO colleagues and management to identify opportunities for improvement
• Candidates with experience serving diverse survivors are strongly encouraged to apply

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
TheProsecuting Attorney's Officeis dedicated to making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Tracking Number: 258S-2023-NOV-REGEmployment Type: Regular, Full time, 40 hrs/week