Victim Counselor, Sr.

Salary: $58,671.38 - $60,431.52 Annually
Location : Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 24-09555
Department: County Attorney
Opening Date: 10/25/2024
Closing Date: 11/10/2024 11:59 PM Central
Job Summary
Provides counseling, crisis stabilization and support services to clients and assists with problems resulting from victimization. Assesses the psychosocial status of clients, determines the types of counseling, social service provider resource referrals and services indicated and coordinates provision of services to clients. Serves as a liaison in preparing clients for trial, coordinates client court appearances and accompanies clients to trial.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the second in a series of two victim counselor-related job classifications within the Social Services job family. This classification is responsible for assessing the psychosocial status of clients, determining the types of counseling, social service provider resource referrals and services indicated and coordinating provision of services to clients. This classification typically performs advanced counseling duties and may function in a lead capacity. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may include response at crime scenes. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.
Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides counseling, crisis stabilization and support services to clients and assists with problems resulting from victimization.
• Assesses the psychosocial status of clients and determines the types of counseling, social service provider and other services indicated. Coordinates referrals and provision of services to clients.
• Serves as a liaison in preparing clients for trial and in dealing with related emotional issues. Coordinates client court appearances, accompanies clients to trial and provides support while testifying.
• Provides information to clients related to crime and/or court case. Explains legal issues, terms and court procedures.
• Assists in gathering evidence requested for court cases. Locates and contacts clients to obtain information related to criminal cases. Requests medical records, collision and other reports, and other case related information. May process subpoenas for upcoming court cases.
• Consults with prosecutors regarding punishment and other pertinent matters.
• Develops client advocacy programs and trains staff and volunteers.
• Prepares and maintains statistical records. Records case file information in tracking system.
• Performs administrative duties such as preparing correspondence and processing incoming mail for case files.
• Serves as liaison with advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers, community outreach services and law enforcement personnel.
• May function as lead over subordinate counselors and other staff and/or volunteers.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND four (4) years experience in counseling/social services or criminal justice work;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Preferred:
Master's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field.
Crisis and trauma counseling experience.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW); OR,
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Preferred: Bilingual English/Spanish, but not required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices and procedures within the criminal justice system.
• Counseling and crisis stabilization techniques and resources.
• Advocacy groups, clinical and other service providers and community outreach services.
• Procedures for gathering evidence and researching information.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

Skill in:

• Counseling and providing crisis and other assistance to clients.
• Assessing the psychosocial status of clients.
• Determining types of counseling, social service provider and other services indicated for clients.
• Obtaining information from clients and other sources.
• Coordinating client court appearances.
• Processing court related documents.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Explain legal issues, terms and court procedures.
• Develop client advocacy programs.
• Train and supervise staff and volunteers.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Communicate effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical service providers, law enforcement personnel and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Work Hours: 8AM - 5PM, Monday - Friday (Flexible/Hybrid)
Work Location: 314 W. 11th St., Granger Building, Austin, TX
Department: County Attorney
Criminal, Driving, Education, Employment Verification Required.
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2024 Travis County Benefit Guide
In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance
Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.
Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.
Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:
January - March
3 personal holidays
April - June
2 personal holidays
July - September
1 personal holiday
October - December
None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:
0 to 5 years
4.0 hours per pay period
6 to 10 years
4.5 hours per pay period
11 to 15 years
5.0 hours per pay period
16 to 20 years
5.5 hours per pay period
21 plus years
6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.
01
Are you bilingual in English/Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Required Question