Victim Advocate Supervisor - Bu

The City of Seattle, Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking a Victim Advocate Supervisor for the Safe and Thriving Communities (STC) Division, Crime Survivor Services (CSS) Unit. CSS is a unit within the Safe and Thriving Communities Division, comprised of two programs - the system-based Crime Victim Advocates (CVA) and a volunteer trauma response called Victim Support Team (VST). The CVA Advocates work with survivors of felony crimes such as domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, internet crimes against children, child abuse, violent crimes and the family members of victims of homicide. The Crime Victim Advocates are co-located in the Seattle Police Department investigative units, working closely with the detectives and prosecutors to ensure the survivors have a voice in the criminal process, and their rights are protected.
The Victim Advocate Supervisor will oversee 12 crime Victim Advocates across three advocacy teams including violent crimes, domestic violence, and sexual assault respectively.
If selected, candidates for this position must pass an SPD civilian background check to be eligible for employment. Please see below for more information about this position.The Victim Advocate Supervisor provides direct supervision to twelve (12) crime Victim Advocates within HSD's Crime Survivor Services program who are responsible for serving as liaisons to crime victims and the criminal justice system. The Advocate Supervisor will coordinate advocacy models across multiple crime types; ensure timely notification obligations are met; and ensure efficient communication is performed regarding court proceedings, victim rights, and referrals to social services agencies.
The Advocate Supervisor ensures that the advocates are equipped with the most current best practices in crime victim advocacy, trauma-informed practices, modern data systems and comprehensive procedures to enhance responsiveness to crime survivors. This position will work closely with Seattle Police Investigation Bureau command staff and detectives to coordinate case assignments and collaborative work product.
Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Directly supervise and support the Crime Survivor Services Victim Advocate staff, who are responsible for providing direct services to crime victims of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, hate crimes, human trafficking, and internet crimes against children.
• Center survivor agency, dignity, and safety as the core facets of the advocates' work in the criminal justice system and ensure the provision of trauma-informed care through a race and social justice lens.
• Work closely with community-based agencies to stay current on resources available to survivors; increase opportunities for partnership; and enhance collaboration between system and community-based advocates to best meet survivor's needs.
• Provide direct management of caseloads in the event of an advocate vacancy, vacation, or extended time off.
• Monitor performance and case management strategies.
• Conduct needs assessment and evaluate the advocacy services to determine what needs are not being met and how the CSS office can better meet them.
• Establish employee goals and conduct annual employee performance reviews.
• Participate in the hiring, onboarding and training process for new staff in the CSS unit.
• Approve and track scheduling changes, sick time, and PTO for advocates.
• Ensure adequate case coverage during absence of staff or during process of backfilling vacancies during hiring.
• Demonstrate and utilize specific expertise in the field of crime victim advocacy and victim's rights; utilize intricate knowledge of criminal and civil orders, criminal databases, legal definitions, and the psychology of trauma.
• Engage in system reform efforts that promote access to justice for crime survivors.
• Increase access to supportive services for specific populations, such as the elderly, people with limited English-proficiency, refugees, people with sensory or developmental disabilities, and arrange for interpreter services.
• Foster community partnerships to build community resources to aid crime survivors.
• Attend task-force meetings with various community stake holders and develop strategies that ensure survivor voices are heard and considered when decisions are made that effect their wellbeing.
• Regularly utilize technological expertise to troubleshoot issues, to gather statistical information, and to determine where efficiencies can be found.
• Respond to all inquiries about the CVA program (case assignment questions, obtaining police reports, etc.)
• Work closely with SPD Investigative Sergeants who assign cases to the Advocates.
• Foster working relationships with SPD command staff that ensures a positive and collaborative work environment for the Advocates.
• Provide leadership to the unit to encourage open communication; personal and career growth; decrease secondary trauma and burnout; and maintain a strong vision of public safety and survivor empowerment and justice.
• Organize and offer training opportunities for staff that foster a culture of personal and professional growth.
• Communicating all staffing and protocol changes to our two system partners, SPD and King County Prosecutors.
• Provide weekly/bi-weekly supervision to the CVA teams; frequency dependent on training and support needs for each staff.
• Manage the case stats and case reporting mechanisms, and offer reports as needed.
• Work with CSS Manager to resolve employee conflicts as they arise.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: B.S. in Social Sciences, social work or a related field is required (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).
Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible experience in the social service field dealing with the criminal justice system, or working with victimized populations, including direct management of individual cases, of which at least one year of the work was performed at a lead or supervisory level.
Certification/License: WA State Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility. An SPD background check will be required for candidates selected for this position.
Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics relating to violent crimes including, but not limited to: gender-based violence, coercive control, poverty, homelessness, drug abuse and addiction, domestic violence, mental health disorders, sexual abuse and systemic oppression.
• Experience working with different types of personalities and professionals, including individuals of different racial/economic/cultural backgrounds, and the ability to coach and empower individuals
• Experience working with and listening to the needs of the BIPOC community.
• Knowledgeable of trauma informed, victim advocacy strategies and the principles and processes of emotional and mental support that respects survivor autonomy and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of the King County Court system, the Seattle Municipal Court system, and the ability to work collaboratively with professionals within the criminal justice system including detectives, prosecutors, police officers, and advocates.
• Knowledge of criminal laws and processes as they relate to commercial sexual exploitation, domestic violence, sexual assault, and violent crime.
• Knowledgeable of WA state crime victims bill of rights.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Commitment to ongoing cultural competence development and the equity and social justice work of the Human Services Department.
• Ability to maintain security, confidentiality, and discretion at all times.
• Possess the ability to change priorities based on workload and need.
• Ability to create a positive team culture where individuals are motivated to contribute their best efforts and feel a sense of fulfillment in their work.
• Ability to coach team members through conflict.
• Ability to establish clear directions, set stretching objectives, and distribute workload appropriately.
• Experience in data management.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Can communicate openly and transparently with your team, ensuring everyone understands the goals, expectations, and the overall vision of the team.
• Experience working with different types of personalities and professionals, including individuals of different racial/economic/cultural backgrounds, and the ability to coach and empower individuals
• Excellent attention to detail and highly organized.
• Possess analytical and critical thinking skills to make decisions and initiate action
• Committed to mentoring good personal and professional boundaries
• Enthusiastic about implementing concrete strategies to reduce effects of secondary trauma and compassion fatigue on their staff.
• Persistent and diplomatic in encouraging organized case management and work product.
• Commitment to Race and Social Justice.
• Experience working with and listening to the needs of the BIPOC community.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Supplemental questionnaire responses

The full salary range for this position is $40.08 - $46.68 per hour.
This role is required to work in the office a minimum of two days a week.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including potential background check.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employment Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time