Victim's Advocate and Comfort Dog Coordinator - City of Myrtle Beach, SC : Job Details

CITY OF MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:VICTIMS ADVOCATE / COMFORT DOG PROGRAM COORDINATOR

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to assist crime victims through crises intervention, counseling referrals, explaining the judicial system, court notification, transportation, filing for compensation, restitution requests, and intervention with creditors, landlords, employers, family, and friends. To establish guidelines and provide care for and handle and/or deploy the Comfort Dog to provide interaction and comfort to victims and/or employees during an investigation to reduce anxiety and increase communication.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Locates and contacts victims of violent crimes; provides support, referrals, and information to victims including crime victims' rights and victim compensation information; may respond to crime scenes where the conditions are hazardous, unsafe, and unpleasant; provides contact information for other agencies that assist victims of specific types of crimes; responds to calls twenty-four hours a day in a City-owned vehicle; serves on call on a rotational basis to ensure continuous coverage.

Communicates with victims in person, by phone or by mail; provides information, case status, resource materials and referrals, as needed; attends court proceedings and bond hearings with victims and witnesses; acts as a liaison for victims between law enforcement, prosecution, judicial members, and other related agencies; provides notification to victim of defendant's arrest, bond hearing, and all court proceedings; prepares victims for court appearances; sequesters victims as necessary.

Ensures victims' urgent needs are met, such as medical attention, shelter, food, and security; conducts initial interview with victim to evaluate needs; utilizes and maintains a cash fund for crime victim assistance; makes responsible decisions regarding the usage of these funds and all documentation regarding expenditures; completes check requests and documentation for replenishing funds.

Provides transportation for victims to bond hearings, bench trials, doctor appointments, etc.; transports, and assists victims who have injuries, diseases or illnesses, or who may be wanted by police agencies or who have been previously arrested for various criminal offenses.

Prepares victim compensation packets; forwards packet to victims; assists victims in completing paperwork; gathers medical bills and other information; submits completed packets.

Develops and maintains client files; ensures accurate and complete documentation of all victim advocate activities, including victim compensation documentation, impact statements, restitution forms and reports, pardon and parole board registration, case dispensation documentation, etc.

Assists the Municipal Judge in counseling referrals; interviews individuals referred to counseling by Judge; makes recommendations on counselors and counseling agencies; completes paperwork for referral; follows up with counselor or individual undergoing counseling as necessary; provides courts with information necessary for prosecution of defendant.

Maintains equipment and supplies including City vehicles; fuels, washes, and schedules routine maintenance on vehicles; reports mechanical problems to City Shop; contacts service technicians with equipment problems and schedules appointments for service; purchases and picks up supplies.

Attends meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed; provides training for Police Department and the community regarding victim advocacy and victim rights; represents the department at community events.

Communicates with supervisor, other departments, judges, attorneys, arresting officer, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; responds to requests for service or assistance.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, statistical analysis, correspondence, supply lists, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, procedures, handbooks, reference materials, manuals, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, codes, regulations; conducts research and maintains an awareness of new issues, methods, equipment, trends and advances in the profession; reads updates and other professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Operates a City vehicle, a personal computer, or general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, or other system software.

The use of the comfort dog is a valuable tool in fostering dialogue and communications between the community and our employees as a part of our community policing and crime prevention efforts. It is also a tool to assist in our efforts to help all in need areas of mental health support.

The Family Service Unit supervisor will administratively supervise the training and maintenance of the comfort dog and approval of usage of the comfort dog, and provision of supplies and equipment.; Train and handle their canine partner.

Has the ability to handle, care, and house a comfort dog. Including, but not limited to travelling with comfort dog during working hours and call out assignments, veterinary care, and grooming. Maintains recommended amount of training to provide necessary services and to maintain comfort dog's abilities. Compensation is included for afterhours care to the amount of one-half hour of daily comfort dog maintenance.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Performs other related duties as required, requested and assigned.

Associate's degree in social work, law enforcement, or psychology, or closely related field; supplemented by three (3) years of experience in law enforcement, court procedures and administration, social work or related field. Comfortable with handling and caring all needs of dog and completing additional training as necessary. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature extremes, traffic hazards, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.

City of Myrtle Beach Benefits

No Cost Health, Dental & Vision Insurance for Fulltime Employees

401K & 457 Plans Available

State Retirement

Employee Wellness Clinic

Flex Spending Account

Employee Assistance

And much more

The City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.