Homicide Advocate - Crime Victims Assistance Bureau

Company Description

Job Description

Job Description

The Office of the District Attorney, Bronx County ("BXDA") is charged with the twin goals of ensuring public safety and striving for equal justice for the over 1.4 million members of the Bronx County community. By "Pursuing Justice with Integrity," the BXDA places a focus on assistance for crime victims while simultaneously ensuring fairness to defendants. Moreover, the BXDA aims to balance the need to seek appropriate punishment for certain crimes while recognizing when punitive measures do not adequately advance justice. By recognizing these significant distinctions and acting accordingly, BXDA has established a standard of excellence in the representation of the Bronx community at large, which continues to grow stronger every day.

In furtherance of this mission, the BXDA seeks experienced and enthusiastic Homicide Advocate to support our Crime Victims Assistance Bureau (CVAB) to address the unique challenges facing victims of violence in Bronx County, and the unfortunate ever-increasing numbers of these victims and family members. The CVAB's Homicide advocate's unique job will be to provide homicide survivors with initial and ongoing crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy through interactions with law enforcement, the criminal justice system, the medical examiner's office, and others as necessary. The goal of this program is to engage homicide survivors and witnesses at the earliest opportunity after a crime has occurred, when their needs are greatest. CVAB services will be offered and provided to victims and families at the front end of cases.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Engage with victims / families / witnesses of Homicide cases as first responders, at the earliest practical stage after the incident occurs, when supportive needs are greatest.
• Coordinate with Bronx Homicide Detectives.
• Assist homicide survivors in navigating the medical Examiner's office.
• Provide immediate emotional support and offering concrete services and referrals, such as providing psychological first aid on the field, safety planning and crisis resolution.
• Meet with victims / families / witnesses at hospitals / precincts / homes.
• Coordinate with NYPD and ON CALL Assistant District Attorneys in making connections with victims / families / witnesses.
• Conduct regular follow up and check-ins with these clients, with continual assessment of their needs.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and organizing educational presentations to staff and community on topics related to understanding the needs of the Bronx community who are victims of violent crimes and providing information and resources.
• Develop a plan to offer sustainable remedy to enable clients to resume a level of normalcy to their lives with the goal of promoting a healthier and safer lifestyle.
• Provide information about the criminal justice system and court accompaniment.
• Assess safety needs and work collaboratively with the Witness Security Program to provide short term safer housing option.
• Work with the Relocation Advocate to develop long term safer and affordable housing options. Conduct Intake for victims / families / witnesses of all crime types to determine safety and resource needs.
• Explain the Criminal Justice process.
• Assist clients with the completion of and filing of victim compensation claims with NYS OVS.
• Prepare letters and forms to assist with other entitlements, such as housing.
• Refer to city partners, including public and private agencies, to provide supportive and concrete services.
• Connect clients to onsite therapy through CVAB when needed.
• Confer and collaborate with the assigned ADAs on cases.
• Other duties as needed.

The City of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance for the employee and his / her spouse or domestic partner and unemancipated children under age 26, union benefits such as dental and vision coverage, paid annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays, a pension, and optional savings and pre-tax programs such as Deferred Compensation, IRA, and a flexible spending account.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or

2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or

3. Education and / or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.