VICTIM SPECIALIST

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

VICTIM SPECIALIST

CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Office of Crime Victim Services

Number of Vacancies: 28 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $66,612.00 annually

This position is open to current AFSCME BIDDERS AND the PUBLIC. Only current City employees covered under the City's Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4, & 5 are considered BIDDERS and are eligible to bid. Qualified BIDDERS who properly submit a bid application will receive preference over any non-bidders.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm Central time on 08/05/2025.

"The Chicago Police Department is seeking candidates that have experience supporting individuals impacted by domestic violence, providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy."

Under supervision, provides advocacy support and resources to assist victims who have been impacted by violent crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence; and performs related duties as required. Victim Specialists will be assigned a specific focus, such as violent crimes or domestic violence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Reviews incidents, case reports, complaints, and referrals for victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, or gender-based violence and provide timely outreach to them to offer support services and referrals to community-based service providers.

* Facilitates referrals and seamless handoffs to community-based service providers, maintaining up-to-date contact lists and resource networks.

* Conducts comprehensive assessments to evaluate the nature, extent, and severity of cases involving victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, and gender-based violence, determining risk levels and immediate needs.

* Works with victims to develop immediate safety plans.

* Provides crisis intervention, counseling, and guidance on available social services, benefits, and victim compensation programs for victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, and gender-based violence.

* Assists victims in navigating the legal system, including obtaining protection orders and accompanying them to court proceedings, hearings, and interviews.

* Serves as a liaison between victims, the court system, law enforcement, and social service agencies to ensure effective communication and coordination of services.

* Advocates for the expressed interests and rights of victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, and gender-based violence throughout legal and social service processes.

* Participates in community outreach and education initiatives to raise awareness of victim rights, services, and issues related to violent crimes, domestic violence, and gender-based violence.

* Prepares and distributes educational materials to inform the public and stakeholders about victim advocacy programs and available resources.

* Maintains detailed client records, documenting services rendered and outcomes to support accountability and reporting requirements.

* Researches legislation and emerging social trends to inform advocacy policies and improve service delivery for victims of violent crimes, domestic violence, and gender-based violence.

* Attends mandatory training to stay current on best practices, legal updates, and resources in victim advocacy for all forms of violence and victimization.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

LOCATION: Chicago Police Department - Unit 226

ADDRESS: 3510 S Michigan Ave

DAYS: Monday through Friday

HOURS: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least six (6) years of work experience in counseling, victim advocacy services, crisis intervention and/or outreach services; OR

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, and/or a Behavioral Science, or a directly related field PLUS at least four (4) years of work experience in counseling; victim advocacy services; crisis intervention, and/or outreach services; OR

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, and/or a Behavioral Science, or a directly related field PLUS at least two (2) years of work experience in counseling; victim advocacy services; crisis intervention; and/or outreach services; OR

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, and/or a Behavioral Science, or a directly related field PLUS at least one (1) year of work experience in counseling; victim advocacy services; crisis intervention; and/or outreach services.

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

* Must complete forty (40) hours of domestic violence training as required by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act within six (6) months of hire

NOTE: A copy of your official transcripts will be required at the time of interview, if applicable.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview, which will include a written exercise and/or a skills assessment test as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected. Selected Bidders will be hired in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement.

*Successful candidates must pass a drug screen and a background investigation. Persons offered employment must pass all pre-employment exams prior to appointment.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor