Victim Support Services Crisis Counselor

Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code: XXXX

Job Title: Victim Support Services Crisis Counselor

Salary Grade: 18

Department: Sheriff's Police Department - Victim Support Services Unit /Special Victims Division

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Victim Support Services in the Cook County Sheriff’s Special Victim’s Division, the VSS Crisis Counselor will provide case management, support, follow up, supervision, and assistance for minors in crisis and any other victims including adults that Victim Support Services Unit deems necessary. The VSS Crisis Counselor is responsible for engaging with youth by using trauma-informed care. The VSS Crisis Counselor will provide continued case management and follow up with outside social service agencies to ensure the youth is receiving the services that they need amongst other responsibilities. The VSS Crisis Counselor will be required to assist with adult human trafficking and domestic violence victims the Unit encounters when and if youth in crisis are not present.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Provides case management, support, follow up, supervision, and assistance for minors in crisis and any other victims including adults that Victim Support Services Unit deems necessary.

Communicates effectively and professionally with Cook County Sheriff’s Police, Department of Children and Family Services, and Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services regarding youth in limited custody.

Follows up regarding behavioral health, medical treatment, and other services that youth were connected with when necessary.

Provides case management tasks to connect youth to resources and services needed with outside social service agencies.

Collaborates with outside agencies to communicate youth’s needs, and concerns; helps advocate on behalf of minors in crisis when needed.

Continue to monitor the status of youth’s progress on care plans and coordinate, where appropriate, with treatment providers, social service agencies, and the youth’s support network.

Provides crisis intervention and safety planning with youth in distress.

Performs daily routine age-appropriate childcare responsibilities, as assigned, meal preparation, or assisting with children(s) basic needs while awaiting social service agency as indicated.

Submits timely and accurate case notes, reports, and other information as requested during the duration of each youth’s stay.

Reinforces emergency rules to ensure safety and security of the youth awaiting the arrival of Department of Children and Family Services or Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services.

Interacts with, initiates, and encourages children in structured therapeutic, social, and recreational activities.

Assumes responsibility for the direct supervision of children awaiting the arrival of Department of Children and Family Services or Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services.

Provides recommendations to Director of Victim Support Services on improving and streamlining program processes, operations, and outcomes.

Practice a victim centered approach when working with minors and adults that are human trafficking, sexual assault and/or domestic violence survivors.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Experience in providing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques with youth who are a risk to self-and/or others.

Knowledge and experience navigating the Department of Children and Family Services, and Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services.

Experience with providing case management and working with social service agencies.

Ability to establish and maintain appropriate rapport and boundaries with youth; work with integrity and treat others with respect.

Ability to provide appropriate role modeling and direction to minors in their daily routines.

Ability to provide a safe environment, compassion, and exhibit patience when engaging with youth in crisis.

Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy with a diverse population.

Ability to facilitate group therapy sessions and utilize various therapy modalities and treatment strategies to meet the needs of youth in limited custody.

Ability to motivate, encourage and portray an optimistic attitude.

Ability to engage, exhibiting a victim centered approach with youth who have experienced domestic violence and human trafficking situations.

Ability to be victim centered while directly engaging with youth that have a history of trauma.

Highly detailed, efficient, and accurate documentation and record keeping skills. Requires strong writing skills, including the ability to translate reports, documents, and progress notes into succinct, clear sentences.

Ability to meet prescribed deadlines, collaborate as part of a team, and respond well to supervisor direction and follow up.

Ability to follow the chain of command and office policies at all times.

Ability to work in high stress situations.

Be prepared with a positive, flexible attitude including a great understanding of working in a mission driven environment.

Thorough working knowledge of or ability to grasp and utilize policies, protocols, systems and procedures of the agency, department, and County, as they are applicable to assigned duties and responsibilities quickly and effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) or more years of crisis intervention experience within the mental health field and treatment providers.

Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.

Possession of a valid driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance and the ability to operate a motor vehicle while providing own means of transportation.

Willingness to attend seminars, trainings, and meetings about topics relevant to youth, youth in care, and other trainings if applicable.

Must be willing to travel to and from various job site locations if needed.

Required to be capable to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be able to work unplanned assignments when needed, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of bilingual language skills- English/Spanish preferred.

Experience working with various law enforcement agencies, other social service agencies, and or justice involved individuals.

Experience working direct services with human trafficking or domestic violence survivors including minors.

Lived experience as a survivor of domestic violence or human trafficking that has had trauma focused therapy or worked with a certified domestic violence advocate.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

• Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual, applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

At the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, we value and embrace you. It’s our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an international business. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship—including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant’s merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents

• Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year

• Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days

• Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment

• Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) times the employees annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage

• Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment

• Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random or based on reasonable suspicion.

INCLUSION

We welcome you—the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that’s the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.* This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE

As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. “The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”