Address:  

Office of Victim Services
701 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
https://corrections.az.gov/

Salary:  $57,283.00

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 10/11/2024

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is looking for a social service expert with experience working with crime victims. The Victim Advocate role offers direct services, support, and assistance to victims during the post-conviction phase of the criminal justice system across the state. Responsibilities include documenting services provided to victims, collecting data, and providing reports while maintaining confidentiality. The role involves accompanying victims to parole/commutation hearings and executions, assisting victims with safety planning and providing information about protective orders and how to serve them, and assisting with restitution issues. The advocate will interact with criminal justice and correctional personnel such as wardens, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, judges, and judicial staff. This position will also provide outreach and support to crime victims and survivors statewide.

This is a grant-funded position (VOCA). The funding for this position expires on 09.30.2025

- Provides direct services, support, and assistance to crime victims during post-conviction, Board of Executive Clemency hearings, victim-offender dialogues, and executions
- Provides outreach to crime victims to explain victims' rights and how to navigate various points of the criminal justice system
- Ensures coordination of support services from outside agencies, including referrals
- Responds to in-person requests for assistance and communications concerning a variety of highly sensitive topics
- Conducts research and analysis of case status
- Enters victim contact data in the Arizona Correctional Information System (ACIS) and the Victim Services Database
- Accompanies and supports victims during clemency hearings, relevant court hearings, and executions
- Assists them in preparing to appear before the Board
- Interacts with judicial and correctional personnel such as wardens, prosecutors, victim advocates, probation, parole, board members, and judges
- Assists crime victims with restitution orders and collection of restitution
- Assists crime victims with safety planning and provides information about protective orders, how to serve them, and community referrals
- Compiles monthly, quarterly and annual reports for grant reporting and internal use
- Drives on State business
- Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge of:
- ADCRR policies, procedures, and agency culture
- Arizona crime victim rights and applicable state and federal laws
- Criminal justice system
- Court procedures including the post-conviction stage

Skill in:
- Computers and associated software including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Familiarity with documenting in databases
- General office equipment
- Written and verbal communication
- Public speaking and presentation
- Critical thinking, research, analysis, and mathematical computations
- Active listening
- Crisis intervention
- Trauma-informed approach to providing services
- Organization and time management

Ability to:
- Assist victims and families in crisis management and high-stress situations
- Maintain confidentiality
- Respond to victims and families in crisis in a professional, calm, sensitive and empathetic manner
- Learn and adhere to Department policies and procedures
- Work independently and as part of a team
- Multi-task by coordinating several issues on a regular basis
- Conduct research and analysis
- Write reports and compose correspondence

- Bachelor of Arts Degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or victimology
- Three (3) years of experience working directly with crime victims in either a governmental or non-profit organization
- Experience working with victims in a post-conviction setting
- Knowledge of Victim Offender Dialogue practices and/or certification as a Victim Offender Dialogue Facilitator
- Experience accompanying victims to parole/communication hearings
- Familiarity with Arizona Correctional Information System (ACIS)

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:
- Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
- Exceptional retirement program
- Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
- An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Current ADC Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 255-2430. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.