Victims' Advocate, Limited Duration - Part Time

Job Description:

Victims' Advocate, Limited Duration - Part Time

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The District Attorney’s Office represents the State of Oregon in all criminal cases filed in Deschutes County. The District Attorney and a team of Deputy District Attorneys are responsible for evaluating the investigative reports submitted by local, state and federal agencies and determining whether justice and public safety require prosecution. We serve the people of Deschutes County by promoting justice, strengthening community safety, and increasing trust in the legal system. While we represent the State of Oregon in criminal matters, we also partner with community organizations, law enforcement, service providers, and victims to achieve outcomes that are fair, effective, and equitable. We balance the use of both traditional prosecution and innovative alternatives that are community-centered and trauma-informed. We embrace diverse backgrounds and perspectives to realize justice and foster professional growth and collaboration. Join our dedicated team to make a meaningful impact.
ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:
The Emerging Adult Victim Advocate (EAP VA) will serve as a critical member of the Deschutes County District Attorney Office’s Emerging Adult Program (EAP) team. The EAP aims to safely and effectively reduce charging of cases involving young adults (18 to 24 years old) through restorative justice initiative that focuses on supporting the offender in taking accountability to improve victim outcomes and public safety.
This position will be responsible for connecting with and supporting victims, conducting specialized legal support, providing technical knowledge of the justice system, and handling complex technical and clerical activities. The EAP VA will participate in all the restorative circles.

The VA will report to the EAP Management Analyst, who directs the EAP grant program, and will connect with the Victim Advocate Program team in the DA’s Office as well.

Goals for the EAP VA

• Support restorative justice outcomes.
• Ensure victims know their rights and their rights are upheld.
• Maintain community safety and justice.
• Improve victim (harmed party) outcomes.
• Reduce young adult cases entering the traditional criminal justice system.

To achieve these goals, the EAP VA will work in partnership with EAP DDA and management analyst at the DA's Office, and our partners’ EAP team members who include Thrive Central Oregon’s support specialist; and Restorative Justice and Equity’s director, restorative justice specialist, and EAP coordinator; Deschutes Defenders defense attorney; as well as a team of community volunteers that serve as co-circle keepers. This collaborative inter-disciplinary team develops, implements, and tracks the EAP restorative justice grant program.

This position is located in Deschutes County and may be eligible for a hybrid of in-office/remote work as allowed by policy and approved by the supervisor.

Depending on the day of the week, work may be done at the DA's Office (downtown) at RJ&E (Latino Community Association building / NE) or virtually.
To be considered for this recruitment, applicants must submit a resume and a one-page cover letter stating why you are interested in this position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Informs victims of their rights; shares the difference between the traditional criminal justice system and EAP, and solicits victim views to share with the EAP team and responsible party on the case.
• Participates in EAP RJ circles as the victim surrogate, or provides support for the harmed party.
• Works closely with the harmed party, restorative justice specialist, community volunteers, and the support specialist to improve harmed party outcomes by providing advocacy services, that include crisis intervention, direct services, information, and assistance within scope of authority.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• State laws, regulations, and standards governing the administration of victims’ rights laws for the adult justice system and the release of information and confidentiality.
• Collecting and analyzing client and case information; maintaining document logs, identifying discrepancies and deficiencies, and requesting additional documents and information within scope of authority.
• Operating a personal computer, utilizing standard (Microsoft Office Suite) and specialized software (Zoom, Cognito Forms, Karpel, or similar), and entering information into a computer system with accuracy and confidentiality.

Skill In:

• Communicating effectively -- verbally and in writing, and dealing tactfully and courteously with people.
• Advocating, de-escalating, and crisis intervention.
• Identifying and assessing victims’ needs and adversarial situations.
• Reading legal documents and extracting relevant information.

*This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and functions.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking here.

Compensation

$2,469.96 to $3,309.98 per month for a 86.34 hour work month. Excellent County pro-rated benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

This is a limited-duration employment position as defined by Deschutes County HR Personnel Rules 2.010. The position has identified funding through August 31, 2027. Extending the position beyond August 31, 2027 will depend on a continued business need for the position and approval of additional funding. Should this occur, the County may at a later date extend the position end date or offer regular employment status to the incumbent in this position.

BENEFITS:

Our robust healthcare package covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Services, or related field;
• AND one (1) year of social services case management or criminal justice system experience;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and belief in the impact of restorative justice and criminal justice reform.
• Experience working in the legal system
• Prior victim advocate training
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in law office, juvenile justice, program management or substance abuse prevention. Additional experience may be substituted for education.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) and CJIS certification from the State of Oregon are required within six months of hire.

Must pass a pre-qualifying driving record review and criminal history background.

Background Investigation.
A successful candidate will complete a full background investigation prior to receiving a conditional job offer.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes County offers eligible employees a comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $100 for employee only and $121 per month for employee plus dependents. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, Deschutes County provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

When Are you Eligible:
If you are hired on the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first of that month (immediate benefits, either that day or back to the first of the month if the first is on a Saturday or Sunday). If you are hired after the first business day of the month, your benefits will start on the first day of the following month.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit www.deschutes.org/hr and click on Employee Benefits or click HERE for full benefits guide.

Closing Date/Time: 4/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$2,469.96 - $3,309.98 Monthly