Victim Advocate

Victim Advocates are Career Service employees within the Aurora Police Department. Their primary focus is to perform crisis intervention work, both on-scene and follow-up contacts to provides support, intervention, information, and resources to victims of crimes, in accordance with the Crime Victim Rights Act in Colorado

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to crisis situations reported to the police department

• Assesses victim needs and provides intervention, comfort, and/or referral to supportive agencies and for other services

• Provides victim follow-up contact or initiates outreach contact

• Provides referral information and facilitates financial compensation

• Acts as liaison between victim and investigators or patrol officers

• Assists victim during the investigative process

• Works closely with judicial system personnel

• Acts as liaison between victim and other agencies such as employer

• Educates victims on their mandated rights

• Aids in the return of victim’s property

• Provides victim with case status

• Assists in training volunteers

• Assists with education of police personnel regarding victim/witness services as well as the Victim Rights Act

• Assists in providing training and education to outside agencies and community groups regarding victim related issues

• Must have a 30-minute response time to incidents within the City of Aurora

• Performs additional duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

• Associate degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or directly related field

• Two (2) years of human services related experience

• At least six (6) months of experience working with victims of a crime

• None

• Bilingual, Spanish speaking skills highly desirable

• Victim related issues

• Applicable state laws and the criminal justice system

• Techniques of assessment and crisis intervention

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Skill in making effective oral presentations

• Strong human relations skills

• Listen with a strong sense of compassion and empathy

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, volunteers, victims, and citizens

• Handle sensitive and stressful situations with tact and diplomacy

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Relate to people with a wide variety of needs and concerns while maintaining patience and understanding

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary physical work requiring ability to lift 10 pounds with or without assistance

• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing

• Hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment

• Vision for reading, recording, and interpreting reports and other documents

• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens

• Foot/eye coordination to operate a motor vehicle

• Essential duties performed primarily in an indoor office, public area setting, however depending on the nature of the call there may be some exposure to inclement weather, noise, and dust.

• Teleworking may be available based on business needs

• Frequently uses computer keyboard and telephone, fax machines, copiers and other equipment

• Motor vehicle

• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.