Job Description
Requisition No: 835407
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, 19TH CIRCUIT- VICTIM ADVOCATE I - 21009351
Pay Plan: State Attorneys JAC
Position Number: 21009351
Salary: $35,000.00
Posting Closing Date: 02/14/2025
Total Compensation Estimator
State Attorney’s Office, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
Position Opening – St. Lucie County Victim Advocate
F/T Position with On-Call Starting Salary: $35,000.00
Pursuant to Article V, Section 17, of the Constitution of the State of Florida, the State Attorney is charged with the duty of faithfully executing and enforcing the laws of the State of Florida.
The Florida State Constitution provides that there be an elected State Attorney in each of the twenty judicial circuits. T he State Attorney is the prosecuting officer of all the circuit and county trial courts.
Consistent with and necessary to the performance of these duties, the State Attorney provides personnel and procedures for the orderly, efficient and effective investigation, intake and processing of all felony, misdemeanors, criminal traffic, juvenile and specially enumerated civil cases referred by law enforcement, other state, county and municipal agencies and the general public.
The Victim Services Program for the 19th Judicial Circuit is seeking a qualified candidate for a St. Lucie County Victim Advocate Position within the 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office to advocate for victims of all crimes. Successful candidate will also work as an on-call first responder advocate for the Sexual Assault Assistance Program working with both reporting and non-reporting sexual assault survivors.
- Successful candidate will be fingerprinted and must pass a criminal background check.
- Candidates must not have an arrest history.
- Candidates will be required to use their Personal automobile or office pool automobile and must possess the required auto insurance in accordance with Florida Statutes, and possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
To Apply: Please complete an office application and send a cover letter and resume via email to HRVS@sao19.org
Office Applications can be found on our website “Career” “Support Staff Opportunities”
Please do NOT apply via People First. Applications submitted via People First will NOT be reviewed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, and/or equivalent proven direct service work experience (either salaried or volunteer) in a Victim Service or related social service field will be considered equally.
- Interest and concern for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes.
- Understanding of the issues surrounding sexual assault and a familiarity with the needs of survivors and their families.
- Understanding of the issues surrounding victims of other violent crimes (including, but not limited to, homicide, domestic violence, etc.) and a familiarity with the needs of the survivors and their families.
- Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and work calmly through a crisis.
- Ability to maintain program requirements for grants.
- Ability to perform computer functions including, but not limited to, word processing;
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to integrate well with existing Sexual Assault Assistance Program and Victim Assistance Program staff;
- Ability to work effectively with medical personnel, law enforcement agencies, State Attorney’s Office staff, and all other professionals who come into contact with victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes;
- Ability and commitment to maintain confidentiality, listen well with strong communication skills, be empathetic and a good problem solver, and offer non-judgmental caring;
- Knowledge of medical process involving sexual assault exams and the legal process involving victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes;
- Ability to work independently at times as well as to take directions and follow office/Program policy, and speak to sexual assault victims in a sympathetic manner so that the victim will feel safe and not be frightened or discouraged from continuing discussion;
- Knowledge of other community agencies which might provide services to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Explain the Criminal Justice System (including explanation of legal rights of victims) to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes and provide accompaniment/escort for these victims to all exams, criminal justice hearings, and any other required meetings Assist victims in securing all legal rights and provide Criminal Justice System advocacy. (This is generally accomplished in person)
- Must possess the ability to explain Crimes Compensation to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes and assist in completing the required forms; provide assistance in documentation and follow-up regarding the status of the Crimes Compensation claim. (This may be accomplished in person and/or via telephone)
- Refer victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes to any other appropriate agency which might meet their specific needs. (This may be accomplished in person and/or via telephone)
- Provide Crisis Intervention and Outreach to victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes; (This may be accomplished in person and/or via telephone)
- Offer support to victims of sexual assault on a 24-hour basis (via the Rape Hotline) and to other violent crimes victims on an as-needed basis. (This may be accomplished in person and/or via telephone)
- Twenty-four (24)-hour on-call response to Law Enforcement, Hospital, and other places where sexual assault victims may be located. (This is accomplished in person).
- Follow proper safety standards.
- Perform other related work as required.
- Assist victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes in preparing Victim Impact Statements.
- Orientation of the victim of sexual assault and other violent crimes on the Court System and escort, to include transportation, of the victim of sexual assault and other violent crimes to court during the court process (this includes hearings, etc.). Most often this is in the four-county area (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee) covered by the Program; however, some initial interviews and depositions are done in the county or state where the victim resides. (This may require air travel)
- Coordinate lodging and travel arrangements for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes for court-related appearances.
- Provide referral for information regarding medical concerns such as venereal disease, pregnancy, HIV and other medical issues concerning victims of sexual assault.
- Accompany victims of sexual assault (usually adult females) to follow-up medical exams, explain each step to them, and assist them in understanding the particular physical problems which affect victims of sexual assault.
- Inform victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes of their statutory Victim Rights and assess the victim’s need for more in-depth counseling and refer to the appropriate services.
- Provide regular follow-up with victims of sexual assault which includes visits to their home, and any other place victims may be located.
- Help victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes file Crimes Compensation documents and assist with any follow-up requests by Crimes Compensation Bureau.
- Although each Victim Advocate is assigned to a particular area of the Circuit (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee), periodically they are required to assist fellow staff members in other areas covering cases, hearings, being on-call, etc.
- Complete all paperwork.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
- Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
- Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click );
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers (Florida State colleges and universities).
For a more complete list of benefits, click .
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Job Tags
Holiday work, Work experience placement, Felony friendly, Flexible hours,