Victim Advocate - Victim Services Division - San Francisco District Attorney's Office

Appointment Type:  Permanent-Exempt (PEX) Appointment.  Pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Charter, Section 10.104.13, any person occupying a position under exempt appointment shall not be subject to civil service selection, appointment, and removal procedures.  Exempt employees shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer. 

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office (SFDA) is one of the most respected and innovative prosecutor’s offices in the United States. Our mission is to promote justice by fostering accountability and repairing harms by using data-driven, evidence-based approaches. In addition, what sets our office apart is our dedication to addressing root causes of crime and preventing recidivism; our centering of crime victims and survivors; and our commitment to eliminating racial and class inequities in the criminal legal system—including through reduced reliance on incarceration. Our office engages in public education and crime prevention efforts while maintaining the traditional role of investigating, charging, and prosecuting all criminal violations occurring within the City and County of San Francisco. The unparalleled opportunities for challenging, meaningful, and sophisticated work have consistently drawn top candidates to our office over the years.

The Victim Services Division is seeking to fill multiple vacancies in the 8129 classification.  Below are position/assignment descriptions for each of the vacancies we are actively recruiting for.  Additionally, this recruitment may also be used to fill future 8129 vacancies:

General Victim Advocates (two (2) vacancies)

Position Description

The Victim/Witness Advocate position is responsible for assisting victims of crime by providing the mandated services for the Victim-Witness Assistance Program, pursuant to California Penal Code Section 13835 and the Victims’ Bill of Rights. These services, which are also provided to victims’ family members and witnesses of crimes, including advising participants of program services and outreach activities; referring program participants to professional care providers; explaining the process of the criminal justice system; accompanying victims, family members, and witnesses to court and related hearings; and assisting participants with Victim Compensation Program applications.

Examples of job duties and responsibilities for all vacancies include but are not limited to:

1. Advise and assist program participants in obtaining appropriate services, and refer to professional psychological, health, medical, and social service care providers.

2. Provide crisis intervention and emergency assistance in order to deliver timely and comprehensive responses to the immediate and long-term needs of crime victims and survivors.

3. Explain crime victims’ rights, the criminal justice system and court proceedings, and provide information on case status and disposition.

4. Assist in the preparation, verification, and submission of claims to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, and monitor claim progress and payment.

5. Assist with arrangement of transportation for crime victims and survivors when appropriate.

6. Conduct program educational presentations to city and community-based partners, and city residents in their communities.

7. Translate as required to meet division needs. Translating may be oral or in written form.

8. May accompany crime victims and survivors to court proceedings and related hearings.

9. Become educated in and competently explain to crime victims and survivors the purpose of diversion, restorative justice, various collaborative courts and the importance of using evidence-based solutions in the criminal justice system.

10. Actively participate in referrals to community-based organizations and guide crime victims and survivors in charged cases through the criminal justice process with the goal of helping crime victims and survivors heal and recover from the trauma caused by the incident.

11. Understand best practices in crafting impact statements and assist crime victims and survivors with said impact statements with the goals of communicating the impact of the offense to the court and, where appropriate, integrating meaningful opportunities for reconciliation between crime victims and survivors and justice-involved-persons as a means to foster healing for all parties involved.

12. May act as liaison between the department and members of the community.

Credible Messengers Advocates (two (2) vacancies)

Position Description

Under the direction of the Interim Chief of Victim Services, Credible Messengers will primarily support marginalized victims and/or survivors of crime in four primary neighborhoods: the Bayview, Visitation Valley, Mission and Excelsior, where historically there have been underreported crimes as a result of deep-seated distrust and disconnect between the community and law enforcement.  Credible Messengers will focus on building stronger relationships with community members who are victims of violence but may lack the trust necessary to seek help from law enforcement.  Credible Messengers will help ensure that crime victims and survivors, especially those who have negative justice experiences themselves, can access the resources available to them. The goal of the Credible Messengers will be to provide comprehensive resources including victim compensation and to make trauma-informed warm-handoffs to community-based organizations in an effort to prevent crime victims and survivors from crossing over and committing crimes themselves. 

Property Crime Advocates (two (2) vacancies)

Position Description

Under the direction of the Interim Chief of Victim Services, Property Crime Advocates will work with crime victims and survivors in residential burglary cases. Property Crime Advocates will have a basic understanding that people who live in poverty are disproportionately impacted by crime, including residential burglaries. People of color and/or immigrants are more likely to be victims and survivors of crime, including residential burglaries. The trauma of having someone break into one’s home can be long-lasting if the harm isn’t mitigated by appropriate services. The property crime advocates will meet this important need by understanding that a residential burglary causes more than just property damage and loss; there may be a significant impact on the emotional health of the residents. They will offer the following services in a culturally competent manner: assess and provide linkage to community-based resources, assist with the victim compensation application process where applicable, and provide navigation through the court process in charged cases.

Additionally, the two property advocates will assist small business owners who have struggled during the pandemic and are now impacted by property crime such as vandalism and commercial burglaries. They will connect to community-based resources for victim compensation, if available, apply for victim compensation for District 5 businesses, and will work to provide court navigation through the court process in charged cases.

Minimum 1 year of experience working in social service, case management or advocacy position.

Desirable Qualifications

B.A. or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or closely related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience or in-depth knowledge about trauma recovery, advocacy, mental health services, the criminal justice system, court process and public safety familiarity with San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods as well as their respective community-based programs, experience collaborating across government agencies and facilitating multi-agency processes, strong independent initiative, capacity to operate flexibly in a rapid pace environment, and ability to manage a high case volume.

·       Background in crisis intervention techniques; trauma informed services.

·       Ability to speak Spanish or Cantonese strongly desired.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

1.     Proficient in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (training will be provided).

2.     Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

3.     Principles and practices of record keeping / documenting work.

4.     Identify and be responsive to other needs of crime victims and survivors, including providing emergency assistance or referral to other agencies and care providers.

5.     Establish and maintain effective working relationships in a collaborative environment.

6.     Exhibit emotional stability under conditions of high stress, limited supervision, and rapidly changing situations and circumstances; handle sensitive situations and confidential matters discreetly and effectively.

7.     Strong written and verbal skills used to communicate effectively with people of various educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.

8.     Demonstrate and maintain a high degree of initiative, maturity, integrity, accountability and good judgement.

9.     Background in working with communities impacted by violence.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

As part of the application package, applicants should submit a cover letter summarizing the specific assignment of interest along with a summary of how they’re uniquely qualified for the assignment. Please note, applicants may be considered for any and all vacant positions for this classification.

The selection process will include an evaluation of applicants in relation to minimum requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and thereafter implement additional screening mechanisms to evaluate candidates. If so, only those whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview. All applicants who only meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to be invited to the interview process.          

Applicants for consideration for hire will be required to complete a criminal background check. The District Attorney’s office is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages women, people with disabilities, and members of racial, ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities to apply.

Salary: $73,788 - $89,726 annually

This job announcement will be posted until Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Contact: Shavaun Tolliver, Senior Human Resources Analyst (628) 652-4040

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Carol Isen - Human Resources Director