Job Description

Description

The City of Roanoke is seeking a specialist to work with victims of sexual violence to provide support and information. The successful candidate will assist with developing and delivering training programs on the topic of sexual violence, and they serves as the Police Department\'s liaison to several community groups which provide for the needs of sexual violence victims. Conducts crime prevention outreach services to the Hispanic community attempting to remove barriers preventing victims of sexual and domestic violence from reporting their victimization. The successful candidate must be able to read, write and speak fluently in Spanish. You should have either a four-year college degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or a similar field OR have some college achievement in this area and at least two years\' work experience in a social support agency setting. Possession of a valid appropriate driver\'s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia is required.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community. This is an exempt position.

Examples of Duties

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Reviews sexual violence reports
• Identifies reports of potential interest to the citizens or police supervisors
• Enters information about sexual incidents into PolicePak
• Identifies cases indicating high risk to victims by reviewing the reports and database history of other calls involving these persons
• Assists investigators in developing responses to felony cases of sexual violence
• Thoroughly documents all involvement with victims and witnesses throughout the investigation until the investigation is closed
• Contacts victim s by phone or mail to offer assistance or resource material
• Meets with victims of sexual violence
• Offers counseling/contact information to victims
• Responds to the scene of sexual violence incidents to meet with victims, coordinating those visits with detectives to insure safety when necessary
• Assists officers and investigators with interview s of sexual assault victims
• Coordinates responses with the Victim-Witness Specialist of the Office of the Commonwealth\'s Attorney
• Attends court with victims or to observe/assist the Commonwealth \'s Attorney
• Assists distraught, angry, or upset victims and relatives
• Contacts support agencies to request services for victims
• Completes other tasks or reports as required by the Chief of Police, Deputy Chiefs, Division Commanders, or their designee as needed for the efficient operation of the Department
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrates a caring concern for victims of sexual violence
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Understands police and courtroom procedures, as well as sexual violence law, to respond to questions on these matters
• Develops and maintains relationships with local and regional victim support representatives

Develops and maintains relationships with officers and detectives involved in handling sexual violence cases

Information Development

• Prepares informational brochures about sexual violence as needed
• Attends and participates in support agency meetings and planning
• Meet with Sexual Assault Response Awareness personnel in person, and document, as needed
• Must meet with community forensic nurses monthly, in person, and document in writing each meeting
• Must attend at least two community outreach meetings monthly and document in writing each community outreach meeting
• Attends all meetings of the local domestic violence coordinating council
• Assists with training of police officers on sexual violence issues, both at the Basic Academy and at In -Service as needed
• Maintains knowledge of changes in law relating to sexual violence issues
• Maintains knowledge of research or studies relating to the effective response to crimes of sexual violence
• Meets with media personnel regarding sexual violence
• Prepares monthly activity/status reports.
• Prepares reports and studies on the incidence of sexual violence in Roanoke
• Maintains contacts with Crime Analysis and Planning concerning sexual violence statistics or grant application procedures
• Maintains inventories of sexual violence information brochures, ordering reprints when necessary
• Prepares and completes grant reports as required

Hispanic Outreach Services

• Develop training and education programs
• Develop and maintain contacts within the Hispanic community
• Provide the services as stated in above categories to Hispanic victims in Roanoke, Roanoke County and other jurisdictions
• Provide the service s as stated above to Spanish speaking victims of domestic violence
• Work to improve the lines of communication between the police and the Hispanic community
• Provide appropriate crime prevention services to the Hispanic community
• Serve as translator when needed and appropriate

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor\'s degree from four-year college or university in psychology, sociology, social work or related field; three or more years work experience in a social support agency; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental Information

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as police reports, court reports, as well as sexual violence laws, and be able to respond effectively to inquiries orally and in writing English AND Spanish.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and deal with an extensive variety of variables. Ability to think logically.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Possession of a valid appropriate driver\'s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

City of Roanoke