Champaign County
Job Description

Job Title: Domestic Violence Advocate
Department: State's Attorney
Reports To: State's Attorney
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared Date: April, 2004

SUMMARY Assists victims of domestic violence and promotes trust and communication between the victims and the State's Attorney's Office as the cases proceed through the criminal justice system.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Responsible for day-to-day operations of the Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit and reports directly to the State's Attorney regarding the program's progress. With the advice and approval of the State's Attorney, formulates and implements procedures and recommends policies designed to enhance the effectiveness of the program and to further the goals, policies and initiatives of the State's Attorney.

Contacts and counsels reluctant victims to explain fully the State's Attorney's position and the possible effects and consequences of their actions to increase the victim's understanding of the criminal case and the victim's situation.

Assists victims in knowing their rights about obtaining an Order of Protection and what to do when the Order is violated.

Prepares the victim for court testimony and accompanies the victim to court, providing child care if necessary.

Maintains regular office hours for meeting with victims to make it easier for the victim to initiate criminal proceedings.

Obtains full and complete statements from victims as well as medical releases to provide necessary evidence for prosecution.

Maintains a list of expert witnesses in domestic violence.

Provides referrals to victims for counseling, support groups and financial assistance to better support the victim.

Serves as liaison with law enforcement agencies to insure their Domestic Violence policies are the same as the County's.

Contacts the DCFS Hotline to insure that a report has been filed in instances when children are present during violent acts to insure the safety of children.

May be responsible for maintaining LEADS certification and running criminal history checks.

Assists with educating and facilitating DCFS Domestic Violence programs to provide a more complete implementation of the Domestic Violence Protocol.

Serves as liaison with A Woman's Fund to provide communication about implementation of the Domestic Violence Protocol.

Serves as liaison to the Probation and Court Services department to inform, educate and support their efforts in these cases.

Responsible for special projects such as development of training programs and presentations to law enforcement agencies, community agencies and community groups to inform about domestic violence problems and how to deal with them.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Directs and supervises the day-to-day work performance of the Administrative Legal Secretary assigned to the Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit and makes recommendations to the Senior Administrative Assistant concerning hiring and discipline of the Administrative Legal Secretary whenever they believe that such action is in the best interest of the office or the program. Supervises law school interns, provides training and work direction, appraises performance, addresses complaints and resolves problems.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university with a major in social work or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as law enforcement reports, government or agency regulations and legal interpretations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and policy and procedure recommendations. Ability to speak effectively before individuals, public groups and employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS As required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk; or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions. Occasionally will do home or on-site visits. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.