ABOUT US

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people, “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. Read on to find out more about this opportunity:

ABOUT THE POSITION

Within the Victim/Witness Program, Victim/Witness Advocates provides a wide variety support services, assistance and information to non-English speaking and bilingual victims and witnesses of crime, while assisting Deputy District Attorneys with court support and coordinating both victim and witness activities. These positions review police reports, initiate and maintain contact with victims and witnesses and provide information about criminal justice procedures. They maintain contact with clients to ensure their availability for interviews and court appearances and accompany the client to court proceedings and remain as support during their testimony. In addition, the Advocates assist in providing crisis intervention, emergency assistance and counseling for victims and witnesses, and assist in processing, filing and verifying medical, counseling and other support claims. Advocates are expected to maintain accurate records of their contacts and support provided to clients. The Unit has several specialized positions including those dedicated to providing service to underserved communities, attending child interviews at the Jeannette Prandi Center and Mass Victimization response. An Advocate also has additional duties including working with law enforcement, state and community partners to develop and participate in community outreach programs and attend forums as a representative of the District Attorney's Office.

Fixed Term
This is a 24-month fixed-term position. This position is budgeted through June 30, 2028. However, there may be opportunities for the hired individual during this time-period to move to a regular, ongoing position as other vacancies or promotional opportunities occur, or the position may be funded and convert to an ongoing position. Fixed-term employment ends when the position’s funding finishes, or the work is completed. Employees in these positions are exempt from the County’s policies regarding lay-off order and reduction-in-force rights.

Required: Bilingual skills in Spanish and English.

ABOUT YOU

Our Highly Qualified Candidate possesses a strong work ethic, takes initiative, and has the ability to independently meet with clients and families in crisis, prioritize tasks and follow through work and document work in a timely manner. The candidate successfully works independently as well as an effective team member, has excellent listening and writing skills and works well with a diverse population, people under stress and those that may be unfamiliar, uncooperative or skeptical of the criminal justice system. The ideal candidate has experience working closely with and understanding the criminal justice system including criminal law, courtroom procedures and victim’s rights as provided by Marsy's Law. In addition, the ideal candidate has graduated from a four year college or university with major coursework in social science, behavioral science, criminal justice, or another closely related field.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of interactive interviewing.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Techniques for gaining rapport with and cooperation of emotional and reticent individuals.
• Basic psychological dynamics of individuals in crisis such as victims of or witnesses to child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical methods and procedures.
• Community resources available to victims.
• Basic practices and terminology of the criminal justice system and/or of a District Attorney's Office.

Ability to:

• Listen, abstract, analyze and synthesize situations and pertinent information from people in crisis.
• Review and evaluate data, weighing alternatives and determine the appropriate course of action.
• Work with individuals or groups to promote cooperative and useful relationships in a professional manner.
• Be alert to the needs, attitudes, and problems of persons from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Work skillfully and tactfully to resolve sensitive problems.
• Use sound independent judgment following established procedural guidelines.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations and keeping accurate statistics.
• Work in a standard office environment and using standard office equipment, including a computer.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including victims and/or witnesses and their families, department staff, deputy district attorneys, law enforcement officers, members of the public and community agencies.
• Prepare clear, concise and accurate correspondence, reports and other written materials.
• Speak effectively before groups and meeting critical deadlines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Two years of public contact experience involving the explanation of rules, policies and regulations and substantial one-to-one contact with a variety of individuals. Certification as a paralegal or legal assistant from an accredited institution or completion of the first two years' core coursework requirements (non-elective) for the equivalent of a degree in Criminal Justice Administration may be substituted for the experience on a year for year basis. Must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in English and a designated second language - Spanish.

Bilingual Testing/Certification: The successful candidate must possess bilingual skills and must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to appointment. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidates possess the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must successfully complete the training requirements per the California Penal Code (currently PC § 13835.10) within the first year of employment.
• The selected candidate must pass a background investigation as required for employment in a law enforcement agency.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Colleen.Beck@marincounty.gov.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095. If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Colleen Beck at 415-473-6185.

Within the Victim/ Witness Program, Victim/ Witness Advocates provides a wide variety support services, assistance and information to non-English speaking and bilingual victims and witnesses of crime, while assisting Deputy District Attorneys with court support and coordinating both victim and witness activities. These positions review police reports, initiate and maintain contact with victims and witnesses and provide information about criminal justice procedures. They maintain contact with clients to ensure their availability for interviews and court appearances and accompany the client to court proceedings and remain as support during their testimony. In addition, the Advocates assist in providing crisis intervention, emergency assistance and counseling for victims and witnesses, and assist in processing, filing and verifying medical, counseling and other support claims. Advocates are expected to maintain accurate records of their contacts and support provided to clients. The Unit has several specialized positions including those dedicated to providing service to underserved communities, attending child interviews at the Jeannette Prandi Center and Mass Victimization response. An Advocate also has additional duties including working with law enforcement, state and community partners to develop and participate in community outreach programs and attend forums as a representative of the District Attorney's Office. Fixed Term. This is a 24-month fixed-term position. This position is budgeted through June 30, 2028. However, there may be opportunities for the hired individual during this time-period to move to a regular, ongoing position as other vacancies or promotional opportunities occur, or the position may be funded and convert to an ongoing position. Fixed-term employment ends when the position’s funding finishes, or the work is completed. Employees in these positions are exempt from the County’s policies regarding lay-off order and reduction-in-force rights. Required: Bilingual skills in Spanish and English. ABOUT YOU Our Highly Qualified Candidate possesses a strong work ethic, takes initiative, and has the ability to independently meet with clients and families in crisis, prioritize tasks and follow through work and document work in a timely manner. The candidate successfully works independently as well as an effective team member, has excellent listening and writing skills and works well with a diverse population, people under stress and those that may be unfamiliar, uncooperative or skeptical of the criminal justice system. The ideal candidate has experience working closely with and understanding the criminal justice system including criminal law, courtroom procedures and victim’s rights as provided by Marsy's Law. In addition, the ideal candidate has graduated from a four year college or university with major coursework in social science, behavioral science, criminal justice, or another closely related field. QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of:Principles, practices, and techniques of interactive interviewing. Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment. Techniques for gaining rapport with and cooperation of emotional and reticent individuals. Basic psychological dynamics of individuals in crisis such as victims of or witnesses to child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. Business arithmetic and basic statistical methods and procedures. Community resources available to victims. Basic practices and terminology of the criminal justice system and/or of a District Attorney's Office. Ability to:Listen, abstract, analyze and synthesize situations and pertinent information from people in crisis. Review and evaluate data, weighing alternatives and determine the appropriate course of action. Work with individuals or groups to promote cooperative and useful relationships in a professional manner. Be alert to the needs, attitudes, and problems of persons from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Work skillfully and tactfully to resolve sensitive problems. Use sound independent judgment following established procedural guidelines. Make accurate arithmetic calculations and keeping accurate statistics. Work in a standard office environment and using standard office equipment, including a computer. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including victims and/or witnesses and their families, department staff, deputy district attorneys, law enforcement officers, members of the public and community agencies. Prepare clear, concise and accurate correspondence, reports and other written materials. Speak effectively before groups and meeting critical deadlines. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Two years of public contact experience involving the explanation of rules, policies and regulations and substantial one-to-one contact with a variety of individuals. Certification as a paralegal or legal assistant from an accredited institution or completion of the first two years' core coursework requirements (non-elective) for the equivalent of a degree in Criminal Justice Administration may be substituted for the experience on a year for year basis. Must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in English and a designated second language - Spanish. Bilingual Testing/ Certification: The successful candidate must possess bilingual skills and must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to appointment. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidates possess the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must successfully complete the training requirements per the California Penal Code (currently PC § 13835.10) within the first year of employment. The selected candidate must pass a background investigation as required for employment in a law enforcement agency. IMPORTANT INFORMATION If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Colleen. Beck@marincounty.gov. All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails. Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active. Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095. If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Colleen Beck at 415-473-6185.

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