General Job Description
Under minimal supervision, assist primary and secondary victims, as well as witnesses of crimes that occur in Horry County.
- Duties for this Position
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- Provides appropriate personnel with the name of the victim advocate who will be available for callout each day/weekend.
- Provides assistance to victims in which there is a death, serious injury or serious emotional trauma to the victim or the victim's family.
- Provides immediate and temporary crisis counseling to primary, and if necessary, secondary victims and witnesses.
- Assists the immediate needs of the victim.
- Refers to appropriate community service organizations and agencies.
- Assists community agencies and organizations in working with victim/witnesses.
- Assists victim/witnesses through the criminal justice system.
- Assists officers and detectives to provide assistance and information on cases.
- Assists victims in filing for compensation from the State Bureau of Crimes Compensation and Victim/Witness Services.
- Serves as a liaison for the victim within the Department.
- Submits supplemental reports on cases when appropriate.
- Maintains a log of all cases in which involved.
- At no time will confidential information pertaining to a victim or a victim's case be presented to or discussed with anyone not officially involved in the case.
- Transports victim/witnesses when necessary and the case load permits.
- Maintains a police department issued take home vehicle.
- Provides appropriate assistance to victim/witnesses who have been threatened or who, in the judgment of the agency, express specific, credible reasons for fearing intimidation or further victimization.
- Contacts victim/witness on a periodic basis if it appears that the impact of the crime has been unusually severe.
- Acts as a liaison with other criminal justice agencies and institutions concerned with victim/witness needs.
- Trains sworn and non-sworn personnel about the existence and function of the program at least once every two (2) years.
- Trains sworn and non-sworn personnel who have contact with victim/witnesses about the rights and needs of victim/witnesses under current policies.
- Assures victim/witnesses are advised of the status of their cases, including the arrests and release of suspects, as possible.
- Assists in the notification of the family when an employee is killed or seriously injured in the line-of-duty and all Class I, II, III procedures, consistent with written directives.
- Assists the family at the hospital, funeral and/or with legal and benefit matters.
- Maintains a long-term contact with the family to assist in any way.
- The intent of this class description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that would be required of classifications given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbent may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.
- Position Minimum Requirements
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- An Associate Degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of experience in related work involving contact with the public; or the equivalent in education, training, and experience, which would provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.