Domestic Violence Advocate

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Provide advocacy services to victims of violent crimes, performs victim assessments to determine service needs and communicates with various agencies to address the needs of the victim.

Position Duties

The tasks below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional related tasks as necessary.

• Review crime reports and initiate victim contact via telephone or home visit in order to begin the advocacy process with victims.
• Conducts follow-up contact on an individual basis with assigned crime victims, various community services and the State Attorney's Office.
• Provides assistance to victims to arrange referrals for social, economic, vocational, psychological, legal and medical needs.
• Determines if additional counseling is necessary and makes referrals to appropriate community agencies.
• Coordinates with local domestic violence shelters and provides financial assistance via the Victim's Compensation Fund to victims and survivors of crimes.
• Assists and interacts with other BCSO personnel, Brevard County law enforcement, and other agencies to assist victims of crimes.
• Compiles and enters all records for program reporting of the position.
• Participates in the civil and criminal trial aspects of the crime victim and provides education, support and intervention during trial exposure times.
• Regular, punctual and dependable attendance is an essential function of this job.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus proven direct service work experience in domestic violence, victim services, or related social service field. Progressive responsibility as required above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college training.
• Requires one (1) year job related experience assisting victims of all crimes.
• Ability to deal effectively with crisis situation; communicate clearly both orally and in writing; exercise judgment and make independent decision and maintain client confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to be on call.
• Must obtain Victim Services Practitioner certification within one (1) year of employment and maintain certification throughout employment.
• Requires Valid Florida Driver's License (must be maintained for duration of employment). Essentials for this requirement shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
  • Ability to sit in a standard car seat.
  • Ability to use the right foot for operation of the gas pedal.
  • Ability to use the right foot for operation of the brake pedal.
  • Ability to use column gear shift.
  • Ability to use mirrors for safe vehicle operation.
• A take-home vehicle is provided.

Additional Information

Work is mainly performed in an office environment. Employees are required to travel between locations including a main office, court houses, various victim services, and victims homes. A vehicle will be made available for this position. Work is mainly conducted during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm) however, this position is subjected to an on-call rotation. Employees must be available for call out after hours and during weekends and holidays. During an emergency, the Sheriff will determine who is considered an emergency responder and whose work is necessary to maintain the operation of law enforcement and correctional facilities. This determination is subject to change based on staffing and the operational needs of the agency. Requires successful completion of a criminal background investigation including polygraph examination. Requires drug test prior to assuming position and if employed, will be subject to return to duty, post-accident and/or random and reasonable suspicion drug tests while employed. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, and sexual orientation, national origin, age (over 40), disability or genetic information in employment practices. We encourage veterans, service members and their spouses and family members to apply for employment with this agency, qualified applicants will receive preference and priority in hiring decisions. ADA requires the Sheriff's Office to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Job applicants and current employees are invited to discuss ADA accommodations.