Victim Advocate

Victim Advocate

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Victim Advocate

Location

Central Complex, 2500 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-00418

Department

Criminal Investigations

Opening Date

08/19/2026

Closing Date

8/28/2026 3:00 PM Eastern

Hiring Salary

Starting Salary: $43,160/yr. or $44,470./yr. with 3+ years of experience

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

JOB SUMMARY

Starting Salary: $43,160/yr. or $44,470./yr. with 3+ years of experience

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Depending on assignment may be required to work evenings and/or weekends. Must participate in and respond to a call-out schedule, which shall require response and scene arrival within one hour.

Receives, stores, and issues. Provides crisis intervention and follow-up services to primary and secondary victims of violent crimes, traumatic incidents, and/or natural disasters. #oj

Minimum Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.

• Must be able to comprehend and communicate fluently in verbal and written English.

• U.S. Citizen or possess a current permanent resident card.

• Clean criminal history; any arrest history will be individually evaluated.

• No illegal drug usage within the past year. Other drug usage will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work or related field from an accredited four-year college or university OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, preferentially in in crisis intervention.

• If this posting indicates a degree is required, the following experience will apply in lieu of any degree as follows:

• Four (4) years of direct experience for a Bachelor's Degree

• Must have valid Florida driver’s license. Must attend and successfully complete the agency sponsored Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations (LEVO) Training if assignment includes driving agency vehicle. Use of agency vehicle would require appropriate driving history and passing agency biennial driver’s physical exam.

• Must have current Victim Service Practitioner Designation Certificate or be able to obtain certification within 6 months of employment.

• Must be FCIC/NCIC and D.A.V.I.D. certified within six (6) months of accepting this position.

• Must successfully complete the Victim Advocate’s 30 day on-call training immediately upon transfer or assignment.

• Responds to crime and trauma scenes in coordination with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and other law enforcement agencies to provide immediate crisis intervention.

• Assistance may include arranging emergency shelter, housing, or funeral services, and addressing other urgent needs.

• Accompany victims to legal proceedings, including trials and hearings, as necessary.

• Refers victims to appropriate community resources for long-term support, such as domestic violence shelters, support groups, mental health counselors, or victim service centers.

• May assist with facilitating bi-monthly support group meetings.

• Supports the Crime Prevention Academies by educating community members on safety issues and the functions of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

• Promotes victim service programs and related agency initiatives that align with the Sheriff’s goals and mission.

• Reviews and analyzes incident reports (e.g., from the Automated Report System [ARS] and Crystal Reports) to identify eligible victims and assist with applying for compensation through the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

• Follows up on victim compensation claims and communicates with relevant detectives or law enforcement staff to support ongoing cases.

• Attends required training sessions and maintains involvement with relevant community organizations, committees, task forces, boards, coalitions, and partnerships.

• Provides training to law enforcement personnel and victim service providers; delivers public education and awareness presentations as needed.

• Conducts in-field training for new Victim Advocates and Foreign Notification Specialists.

• Maintains statistical records related to call-outs, types of victimization, and service trends; completes tasks related to grant compliance and reporting.

• Serves as a liaison with outside agencies, embassies, consulates, and agency detectives, as needed, to fulfill Department of State guidelines for foreign nationals who have been arrested, detained, or deceased.

• Provides crisis intervention services to tourists who are victims of traumatic incidents, including accompanying law enforcement to emergency hospital visits.

• Completes special projects and assignments as directed by supervisors.

• Depending on the location of assignment, may be required to perform one or more of the following in addition to regularly assigned duties:

May be assigned a therapy dog and must follow all procedures outlined in Special Order 128.0.

• Basic understanding of trauma-informed care practices, demonstrated through formal training or direct experience providing support to victims in crisis situations.

• Ability to assist with or participate in the use of certified therapy animals during crisis response, outreach events, or follow-up services, in accordance with agency guidelines.

• Ability to present information clearly and respectfully to small or medium-sized groups (10 or more), using prepared materials and adhering to time constraints.

• Ability to maintain professional and compassionate interactions with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

• Ability to apply basic knowledge of legal and criminal justice system processes when working with law enforcement or other justice partners on victim-related matters.

• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently, including drafting clear and professional reports, case notes, and internal communications.

• Ability to understand and follow guidance from agency policies, procedures, or state/federal regulations relevant to victim services.

• Ability to assist in the preparation of standard correspondence, brief reports, or informational materials that meet basic organizational formatting and clarity requirements.

PROCESSING & TRAINING

ADDITIONAL PROCESSING:

• Some positions, depending on the responsibilities, may require the candidate to successfully pass a physical or other selection processes when needed.

• Please upload a copy of your resume that is no longer than two (2) pages in length to your application

• Upon selection, must be able to pass a psychological evaluation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus (e.g. when driving).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Depending on assignment may be required to work evenings and/or weekends. Must participate in and respond to a call-out schedule, which shall require response and scene arrival within one hour.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Orange County Sheriff's Office may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

All full-time employees of the Orange County Sheriff's Office receive an excellent benefits and compensation package.

• Sheriff contributes majority of cost for medical coverage

• Life insurance and long term disability insurance is provided by Sheriff; employees may elect to purchase additional coverage

• Retirement benefits are provided by the Florida Retirement System

• Uniforms, weapons, and other equipment furnished

• Education incentive and reimbursement programs

• 12 vacation days per year/accrues at 3.69 hours bi-weekly

• Sick time accrues at 3.69 hours bi-weekly

• 13 paid holidays per year

• Gym facilities in many agency buildings

01

You must be at least 18 years of age to work in a non-law enforcement capacity. If applying for a non-law enforcement position, are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes

• No

02

Are you a United States citizen or do you possess a valid permanent resident alien card?

• I am a United States citizen

• I am not a United States citizen, but I do possess a valid permanent resident alien card

• I am neither a United States citizen nor do I possess a valid permanent resident alien card

03

If you possess a permanent resident alien card, please provide the issue date, expiration date and the category code.

04

Do you have any tattoos or body ornamentation on the hands, head, neck, or face?

• Yes

• No

05

Please provide the description(s) and location(s) of ALL tattoos / body ornamentation(s)?

06

Do you possess a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED)?

• Yes

• No

07

Are you able to read, write and fluently speak English?

• Yes

• No

08

Are there any languages other than English that you can read, write, or speak fluently?

• Yes

• No

09

Please provide the other languages you can read, write, or speak fluently. Enter each language on a separate line and beside each enter whether you read, write, or speak the language fluently.

10

If you have a driver's license, what is your driver's license # and the state of issuance? Enter N/A if you have no driver's license.

11

Have you had a driver's license for at least one (1) year as of this application date?

• Yes

• No

12

Have you ever had your driver's license suspended or revoked?

• Yes

• No, or I do not have a driver's license

13

Please provide details of your driver's license suspension(s) / revocations(s), date(s), state(s) issued and explanation(s).

14

Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes

• No

15

Have you ever been arrested or charged with a felony and/or misdemeanor crime? Pursuant to F.S.S. 943.059, arrests that have been sealed or expunged must be disclosed.

• Yes

• No

16

Please provide the felony and/or misdemeanor arrest(s) or charge information and date(s). If applicable, please note whether the arrest was sealed or expunged.

17

Have you ever been convicted of any misdemeanor crime involving false statements, perjury, or domestic violence?

• Yes

• No

18

Please provide all misdemeanor conviction charge(s) involving false statements, perjury, or domestic violence and date(s).

19

Have you ever been a suspect or a defendant in any criminal investigation?

• Yes

• No

20

Please provide an explanation of all your criminal investigation(s) and associated dates.

21

Have you ever been involved in any criminal activity?

• Yes

• No

22

Please provide an explanation of all your criminal activity and associated dates.

23

Do you have regular or continuous associations or dealings with anyone under criminal investigation or indictment, or who is involved in criminal behavior?

• Yes

• No

24

Please provide an explanation of your associations with the individual(s) under criminal investigation or indictment and the criminal activity that is involved.

25

Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of a gang or any association that engages in criminal activity?

• Yes

• No

26

Please provide the gang and/or association name, location(s) and the dates of involvement.

27

Have you been or known anyone who has been associated with any organization, past or present that would place the integrity of the Sheriff's Office in question? (e.g. KKK, Nazi organization, organized crime, etc.)

• Yes

• No

28

Please provide an explanation of these associations or dealings you have with these individuals that would place the integrity of the Sheriff's Office in question;. (e.g. KKK, Nazi organization, organized crime, etc.)

29

Have you ever used, possessed, or cultivated an illegal controlled substance?

• Yes

• No

30

Please provide an explanation of your drug use, and/or possession, and/or cultivation of an illegal controlled substance along with associated dates of last use/involvement.

31

Within the last year from the date of this application, have you used any illegal drug(s) or illegal controlled substance(s)? (e.g. - marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD, etc.)

• Yes

• No

32

Please provide the type(s) of illegal drug(s) used within the last year, location(s), and the dates last used.

33

Have you ever been involved in the sale/purchase of illegal drugs either directly or indirectly?

• Yes

• No

34

Please provide details of your illegal drug sale(s)/purchase involvement, location(s) and date(s).

35

Have you ever served in the armed forces (Military), and if so, what type of discharge did you receive?

• I did not serve in the military

• Honorable Discharge

• Honorable Discharge under General Conditions

• Dishonorable Discharge

• Other

• I am still an Active Reserve

36

What military branch(es), including any state National Guard, did you serve or are you currently serving in?

37

Please provide the dates of service to include Active and/or Reserve service.

38

Were you ever formally disciplined while in the military to include any Article 15's?

• Yes

• No

• Not Applicable

39

Please provide type of military discipline(s), reasons for the discipline, and dates.

40

Are you currently employed by a law enforcement or corrections agency and if so, are you currently under internal investigation?

• Yes

• No

• Not Applicable

41

If you have prior law enforcement or corrections experience, have you ever been under internal investigation?

• No, I have never been under internal investigation at a prior law enforcement or corrections agency

• Yes, I have been under internal investigation at a prior law enforcement or corrections agency

• Not Applicable

42

Please provide the employer's name where you were under internal investigation, to include each incident, date(s), and outcome.

43

Have you ever been disciplined by any past or current employer?

• Yes

• No

44

Please provide the employer's name where you were disciplined, type of discipline(s) and date(s).

45

Have you ever been terminated or asked to resign from a job?

• Yes

• No

46

Please provide the employer name(s) where your were terminated or asked to resign, reason for departure(s), and date(s) of termination(s)/resignation(s).

47

Have you applied with any other law enforcement agencies?

• Yes

• No

48

What agency, city/state and date(s) of application?

Required Question

Employer

Orange County Sheriff's Office

Address

2500 West Colonial Drive Orlando, Florida, 32804

Phone

(407) 254-7490

Website

http://OCSO.COM

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