Job Title: Victim Witness Advocate
Department: County Attorney
Effective Date: August 2026
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Grade: 24
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Victim Witness Advocate serves as a primary liaison between victims, witnesses and prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and the courts. The Advocate assists victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process, provides information regarding their rights, offers support and referrals, and helps ensure meaningful participation in the prosecution process.
The Victim Witness Advocate works under the direction of the Box Elder County Attorney and the Victim Services Director.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The Victim Witness Advocate works under the supervision of the Victim Advocate Supervisor.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties include, but are not limited to:
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Explain victims' rights and the criminal justice process, including court procedures, hearings, plea negotiations, sentencing, restitution, and post-conviction proceedings.
- Maintain regular communication with victims regarding case status and upcoming proceedings.
- Coordinate with prosecutors to obtain victim input and assist in addressing victim needs throughout the prosecution.
- Provide support and advocacy to victims and witnesses before and during court proceedings.
- Prepare victims and witnesses for court by explaining courtroom procedures, expectations, available services, and the general legal process.
- Coordinate victim and witness appearances with prosecutors, law enforcement, court personnel, victims, and witnesses, including scheduling, travel, and witness reimbursement when applicable.
- Assist victims with safety planning and obtaining protective orders when appropriate.
- Assist victims with preparing victim impact statements, restitution claims, and applications for Crime Victims Reparations.
- Assess victim needs and provide appropriate referrals to counseling services, shelters, crisis services, advocacy organizations, and other community resources.
- Assist prosecutors in obtaining information and documentation needed for hearings and trials.
- Participate in a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week on-call rotation to respond to domestic violence calls from law enforcement. On-call responsibilities may include answering telephone calls from officers, providing immediate victim advocacy and support, and speaking directly with victims when appropriate.
- Respond to law enforcement requests for crisis intervention, including assisting officers with death notifications and responding to scenes when appropriate.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records, including documentation of victim contacts and services provided.
- Collect and report statistical information required by the Utah Office for Victims of Crime and other funding agencies.
- Attend applicable court proceedings and testify in court when necessary.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
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Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience as determined by the County.
- Experience in victim assistance, advocacy, social services, criminal justice, or a related field is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Knowledge of victim rights and the criminal justice process, including District, Juvenile, and Justice Courts.
- Knowledge of community resources and services available to victims.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with individuals from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to demonstrate patience, empathy, sensitivity, and sound judgment when working with victims and witnesses.
- Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with victims, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and the public.
- Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis situations.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and records.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and outside agencies.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows, and data reporting systems.
- Ability to learn and use prosecution management and case-tracking systems.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position primarily operates in a professional office environment but regularly requires interaction with victims, witnesses, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and community service providers.
The position may require field response to crime scenes, homes, hospitals, law enforcement offices, and other locations, including situations involving death notifications, domestic violence, or other crisis circumstances. The employee may encounter hostile, emotionally distressed, or otherwise unpredictable individuals and may be exposed to contagious or infectious diseases through interaction with the public.
The position requires participation in a 24/7 on-call rotation and may require responding outside of regular business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
The position routinely uses office equipment, computers, smartphones, and other technology. The employee may be required to drive a Box Elder County vehicle while conducting County business and must comply with the Box Elder County Vehicle Policy.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands to operate equipment. The position may require occasional lifting of items weighing up to 25 pounds and travel to locations outside the office.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Must pass a criminal background check.
- Must possess a valid Utah Driver's License.
- Must be available to participate in the 24/7 on-call rotation.
- Must be able to respond to law enforcement requests for victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and other emergency services.
- Spanish-speaking ability is preferred but not required.
POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS
This is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week. The position also requires participation in a rotating 24-hour, 7-day-a-week on-call schedule, which may require work outside normal business hours.
Selection will be based on a formal application, review of education and experience, references, background check, interview, and final selection by the County Attorney and Victim Services Department.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.
Box Elder County has an opening for a full time Victim Advocate. The full time Victim Advocate works under the direction of the Box Elder County Attorney and the Box Elder County Attorney’s Victims Services Director. The Victim Advocate assists victims of crime through the judicial process.
The Victim Advocate provides victims information concerning their rights as victims under the law and information regarding the legal process, assesses the needs of victims and makes appropriate referrals to community services, and assists victims in the preparation of victim impact statements and applications for assistance from Crime Victims Reparations. For a full listing of job responsibilities, please see the job description.
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice or related field and a minimum of six (6) months of experience in victim assistance/advocacy.
Pay begins at $24.56/hour, depending on experience
Interested parties should submit an application to Box Elder County Human Resources. Interested parties should submit an application to Box Elder County Human Resources by 5:00 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2026.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
