New

Bilingual Victim Assistance Specialist

Washington County, OR
$28.58 - $34.77 Hourly
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, vacation time, paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, retirement plan
United States, Oregon, Hillsboro
155 North 1st Avenue (Show on map)
Aug 03, 2025
THE POSITION The District Attorney's Office currently has a vacancy for a Bilingual Victim Assistance Specialist. This position requires the employee to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing in Spanish. The District Attorney's Office has rewarding career opportunities on a dynamic and passionate team of Victim Advocates. The Victim Assistance Specialist will provide advocacy, education, and support to crime victims in felony and misdemeanor cases, acting as a liaison between the victim, prosecutors, law enforcement, and community resources. The Position The Victim Assistance Specialist will have a varied caseload of all types of criminal cases and will work closely with assigned deputy district attorneys on their caseloads. They will also work closely with the Victim Assistance Team to ensure that all of the cases and court appearances will be covered on a daily basis. The primary functions of the Victim Assistance Specialist include: Communicating with victims in person, on the phone, and in writing to inform them of their constitutional and statutory rights and assist them in asserting their rights. ? Documenting in the computer database the nature and frequency of the victim contacts. ? Accompanying the victim to various court appearances if requested. ? Assisting in the documentation of possible claims for restitution. ? Meeting with community partners to support joint efforts to assist victims of crime. ? Presenting about the role of the victim advocate to community groups and partners. Keeping up on current laws, policies and skills in the area of victim assistance and will be given opportunities for additional training and professional growth and development. Bilingual Positions: Designated bilingual positions require that the incumbent have knowledge of another language besides English. It is required to possess precise writing skills (including spelling, grammar, and punctuation), fluent speaking skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Upon successfully passing the applicable proficiency assessment test in a selected language, employees will receive bilingual pay in the amount of five percent (5%) of their base pay rate, exclusive of any other incentive pay, or a flat rate of seventy-five dollars ($75) per pay period, whichever is greater. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate for this position will have an in-depth understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system and the roles of the various persons in that system. This candidate will understand the resources in the community that are available to assist victims of crime, and possess exceptional communication skills. The ideal candidate will also be comfortable giving presentations and assisting in trainings. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role, even if you believe you do not meet all of the hiring criteria described in the minimum qualifications. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES For a list of essential job duties and to learn more about this position's knowledge, skills, and abilities, use this link: Victim Assistance Specialist MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Three (3) years of work experience as an advocate in the justice system, probation, victim assistance, or other closely related areas serving vulnerable populations. OR An associate degree or equivalent in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, or related fields; and one (1) year of experience as an advocate in the justice system, probation, victim assistance, or other closely related areas serving vulnerable populations. ADDITIONAL LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS Possession of a Victim Service Professional certification within one (1) year of hire date (DA's Office only). Must pass a comprehensive background investigation. Required to pass oral and written fluency language test in Spanish. (for bilingual positions) Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses if applicable. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION A cover letter is required to apply for this position. Your cover letter should: Highlight key points of your application Provide an overview of your qualifications, including any relevant experience, education, training and skills Address how you meet the ideal candidate profile Selection Process MQ Review: HR will screen applications for minimum qualifications after the posting closes. SME Review: Applications for candidates that meet minimum qualifications will be forwarded to a panel of subject matter experts (SME) who will review and score your cover letter and other application materials. This process may take up to 2 weeks. Panel Interview(s): Our goal is to schedule panel interviews with candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and pass the SME review as soon as possible. Reference Checks: The hiring manager will conduct reference checks on the top candidate. Salary Analysis & Conditional Offer: Human Resources will conduct a salary analysis for the successful candidate(s) and extend a conditional offer of appointment. Post-Offer Checks: Human Resources will conduct the required background and bilingual testing. Start Date: A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met. Our Commitment to You We are committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities. Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Bilingual Positions Bilingual positions require that the incumbent have knowledge of the Spanish language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Skill in writing Spanish accurately; ability to speak Spanish fluently; and ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing are required. Additional compensation is provided to staff members occupying positions designated as bilingual. Veterans' Preference If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points. Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail: Careers@washingtoncountyor.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation. Status of Your Application You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from email notifications from NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about this and other recruitments. Questions Regarding This Recruitment? Contact Brighton Bohnenkamp, Talent Acquisition Business Partner at Brighton_Bohnenkamp@washingtoncountyor.gov Additional Resources: New to GovernmentJobs.com? Visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the application process. For technical support, contact Government Jobs' Live Application Support at 855-524-5627 * Washington County is a drug-free workplace *