Victim Services Counselor

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By joining us you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Victim Services Counselor

Purpose:

Uses comprehensive knowledge to provide crisis and clinical counseling to individuals couples and families experiencing crime trauma or crisis situations in support of the Austin Police Departments Victim Services Counseling Program.

Duties Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Provides psychological emotional cognitive and physical assessments of individuals of crime trauma or crisis situations; either on scene of the incident or at a later time when the person is located.

• Formulates and implements clinical intervention strategies until stabilization occurs.

• Provides support and assistance to victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process serving as a liaison and advocate with law enforcement and other agencies.

• Delivers death notifications for all APD related cases as requested by the Travis County Medical Examiners office and other outside agencies across the country.

• Prepares for and testifies in court as a fact witness or as an expert witness.

• Plans develops and conducts trainings presentations and educational sessions to law enforcement other outside agencies and the community.

• Serves as the Crime Victim Liaison for the Austin Police Department providing information about victims rights and Crime Victims Compensation to victims of crime and law enforcement personnel.

• Conducts media interviews in collaboration with the Public Information Office.

• Compiles data and information for reports.

• Assists other public safety agencies.

• Conducts debriefings group counseling and/or diffusings to law enforcement other public safety agencies other agencies and the community after critical incidents large scale events and disasters.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge skills abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate with or without reasonable accommodations that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of counseling theoretical frameworks and techniques.

• Knowledge of mental health issues trauma and victimology.

• Knowledge of Critical Incident Command.

• Knowledge of police operations and investigative procedures.

• Knowledge of Victim Assistance best practices.

• Skill in oral and written communications.

• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Skill in using computers and related software applications. Skill in data analysis and problem solving.

• Skill in planning and organizing.

• Skill in trauma and crisis counseling.

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities. Ability to train others.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees external agencies and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in Mental Health Oriented Science or in a field related to the job plus two (2) years experience in mental health crisis and trauma counseling.

Preferred qualification:

Ability to effectively communicate in both English and Spanish.

Required to work some non-major and major holidays weekends and overtime may be necessary.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Class C Drivers License

Notes to Candidate:

Location: 715 E 8th St Austin TX 78701

Hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Friday

Payrate: $27.77 - $33.95

Provides psychological emotional cognitive and physical assessments of individuals of crime trauma or crisis situations; either on scene of the incident or at a later time when the person is located. Formulates and implements clinical intervention strategies until stabilization occurs. Provides support and assistance to victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process serving as a liaison and advocate with law enforcement and other agencies.
Delivers death notifications for all APD related cases as requested by the Travis County Medical Examiners office and other outside agencies across the country. Plans develops and conducts trainings presentations and educational sessions to law enforcement other outside agencies and the community.
Serves as the Crime Victim Liaison for the Austin Police Department providing information about victims rights and Crime Victims Compensation to victims of crime and law enforcement personnel. Conducts media interviews in collaboration with the Public Information Office. Compiles data and information for reports. Assists other public safety agencies. Conducts debriefings group counseling and/or diffusings to law enforcement other public safety agencies other agencies and the community after critical incidents large scale events and disasters.

City of Austin Application:

A complete and detailed City of Austin employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications. For each position please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience and education that is relevant to this position. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience and education. Application must include job titles job duties performed full or part time status. Your work history should include the duties you performed any supervisory or lead responsibilities and any equipment or computer software used.

A resume and cover letter must be submitted to be considered for this position but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please verify the employment history dates on your resume exactly match your online application.

CBI:

Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintainCJISeligibility. Due toCJISrequirements related to system access the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions Felony Deferred Adjudication Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication Class B Misdemeanor Convictions an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor) and Family Violence Convictions. Please Click here to find more information.

Secondary Employment:

All Austin Police employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employees duty and responsibility to the Department.

• APDmust review all secondary employment.

• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired withAPD as well as currentAPDemployees considering Secondary employment.

Travel:

If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Benefits:

Working with the Austin Police Department provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as medical paid leave time retirement plan training opportunities and more. Please click here to find more information.

To learn more about working with the City of Austin click here to watch a short video!

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed . All application steps including attachments and submission must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race creed color national origin sex gender identity age religion veteran status disability or sexual addition the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individuals AIDS AIDS Related Complex or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function please call or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.