H-1B Visa Victim Advocate Jobs
H-1B visa jobs as a Victim Advocate are available at nonprofits, government agencies, and hospital systems that structure the role around a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or criminal justice. Employers must file a certified LCA and an I-129 petition with USCIS before you can begin work.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO) is one of the largest prosecutors' offices in the country and has recently launched a number of cutting-edge initiatives and reforms that have put it on the national stage for innovation. We are a team: one that is committed to making our community a safe place to live, work and raise a family. SCDAO is looking for the most qualified candidates to join our ranks, with the objective of recruiting those with diverse backgrounds, a strong work ethic, integrity and a commitment to public service and justice.
In furtherance of the Office’s mission of supporting victims of crimes, particularly child abuse and domestic violence victims, we are currently seeking at least one candidate for the position of Crime Victim Advocate. Crime Victim Advocates are tasked with developing a working relationship with the victims and witnesses, providing them with necessary information on court procedures, victim resources and accompanying them throughout the entire court process.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Under direct supervision, an employee in this class performs paraprofessional duties involving both initial and continuing direct, personal contact with victims and/or witnesses for the Victim Witness Assistance Program; and assists the professional staff in case file set-up and maintenance. The incumbent establishes a working relationship with the victims and witnesses, providing them with necessary information on court procedures and accompanying them throughout the entire court process. Direct supervision is received from an administrative supervisor. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
- Contacts victims, witnesses and employers by telephone and/or letter concerning pre-trial, hearing and trial times, cancellations, grand jury summonses, subpoenas and disposition of cases;
- Escorts victims and witnesses to and from trial; attends case from pre-trial hearing through verdict and sentencing;
- Answers calls and inquiries concerning case information; explains all hearing and trial procedures;
- Writes and sends follow-up letters of notification when necessary;
- Recovers evidence from trial that should be returned to the victim/witness;
- Performs general clerical activities such as filing and telephone coverage;
- Arranges for interpreters, transportation, baby-sitters, travel plans and lodging accommodations for victims and witnesses.
COMPENSATION
Starting salary is approximately $52,000 per year, plus our benefits package.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good knowledge of the structure, organization and procedures of the criminal court system; good knowledge of the structure, organization and procedures of the District Attorney's office; working knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing; ability to develop and maintain satisfactory working relationships with victims, witnesses, supervisors, fellow employees and the general public; ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; good powers of observation and perception; good judgment; tact; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Open Competitive
Either:
(a) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology; or,
(b) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology and two (2) years of experience in the delivery of health, social or community services, one (1) year of which must have been in crime victim advocacy; or,
(c) Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and four (4) years of experience in the delivery of health, social or community services, one (1) year of which must have been in crime victim advocacy; or,
(d) An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of the above.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
There will be a qualifying Spanish language examination.
The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney reserves the right to change without notice any statement on this page concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, eligibility, recruitment and terms of employment. The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.
INTRODUCTION
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO) is one of the largest prosecutors' offices in the country and has recently launched a number of cutting-edge initiatives and reforms that have put it on the national stage for innovation. We are a team: one that is committed to making our community a safe place to live, work and raise a family. SCDAO is looking for the most qualified candidates to join our ranks, with the objective of recruiting those with diverse backgrounds, a strong work ethic, integrity and a commitment to public service and justice.
In furtherance of the Office’s mission of supporting victims of crimes, particularly child abuse and domestic violence victims, we are currently seeking at least one candidate for the position of Crime Victim Advocate. Crime Victim Advocates are tasked with developing a working relationship with the victims and witnesses, providing them with necessary information on court procedures, victim resources and accompanying them throughout the entire court process.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
Under direct supervision, an employee in this class performs paraprofessional duties involving both initial and continuing direct, personal contact with victims and/or witnesses for the Victim Witness Assistance Program; and assists the professional staff in case file set-up and maintenance. The incumbent establishes a working relationship with the victims and witnesses, providing them with necessary information on court procedures and accompanying them throughout the entire court process. Direct supervision is received from an administrative supervisor. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
- Contacts victims, witnesses and employers by telephone and/or letter concerning pre-trial, hearing and trial times, cancellations, grand jury summonses, subpoenas and disposition of cases;
- Escorts victims and witnesses to and from trial; attends case from pre-trial hearing through verdict and sentencing;
- Answers calls and inquiries concerning case information; explains all hearing and trial procedures;
- Writes and sends follow-up letters of notification when necessary;
- Recovers evidence from trial that should be returned to the victim/witness;
- Performs general clerical activities such as filing and telephone coverage;
- Arranges for interpreters, transportation, baby-sitters, travel plans and lodging accommodations for victims and witnesses.
COMPENSATION
Starting salary is approximately $52,000 per year, plus our benefits package.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good knowledge of the structure, organization and procedures of the criminal court system; good knowledge of the structure, organization and procedures of the District Attorney's office; working knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing; ability to develop and maintain satisfactory working relationships with victims, witnesses, supervisors, fellow employees and the general public; ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; good powers of observation and perception; good judgment; tact; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Open Competitive
Either:
(a) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology; or,
(b) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology and two (2) years of experience in the delivery of health, social or community services, one (1) year of which must have been in crime victim advocacy; or,
(c) Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and four (4) years of experience in the delivery of health, social or community services, one (1) year of which must have been in crime victim advocacy; or,
(d) An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of the above.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
There will be a qualifying Spanish language examination.
The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney reserves the right to change without notice any statement on this page concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, eligibility, recruitment and terms of employment. The Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Victim Advocate
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
Victim Advocate roles qualify as a specialty occupation only when tied to a specific degree field. Make sure your resume explicitly connects your social work, psychology, or criminal justice degree to the clinical or case management duties in the job description.
Verify prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your location and SOC code. Run the OFLC Wage Search using SOC code 21-1093 before you negotiate, so you know the floor the employer is legally required to meet.
Target agencies with existing LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate to find employers who have already filed certified LCAs for Victim Advocate or social services roles. Prior filing history signals the employer understands the H-1B visa process and won't stall after extending an offer.
Confirm each worksite gets its own certified LCA
If your role involves multiple office locations, court sites, or shelter facilities, your employer needs a separate certified LCA for each worksite. Raise this during the offer stage so USCIS doesn't reject the I-129 petition for missing worksite coverage.
Account for cap-subject status and timing
Most nonprofit and private employers must file cap-subject H-1B petitions. The selection rules have changed recently, so plan your job search timeline with USCIS guidance in mind and avoid accepting offers that assume a specific start date before selection is confirmed.
Get foreign credential credentials evaluated early
If your social work or psychology degree is from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization before applying. Employers and USCIS both need confirmation that your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's in the relevant field.
H-1B Visa Victim Advocate: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Victim Advocate role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It can, but only when the employer structures the position around duties that require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as social work, psychology, counseling, or criminal justice. If the posting lists the degree as preferred rather than required, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence. Confirm the job description explicitly states the degree requirement before applying.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Victim Advocate positions?
Government agencies, hospital and healthcare systems, domestic violence nonprofits, legal aid organizations, and university campus advocacy offices are the most common H-1B sponsors for this role. Many of these are cap-exempt entities, meaning they can file petitions year-round without competing in the annual selection process. Browse Migrate Mate to identify verified sponsors in your city and practice area.
What documents does my employer need to file the H-1B petition for this role?
Your employer needs a certified Labor Condition Application from DOL, a completed I-129 petition form, evidence that the position is a specialty occupation, your educational credentials and transcripts, and proof that the offered wage meets the prevailing wage for the worksite location. If your degree is from another country, a credential evaluation report must also be included in the filing package.
Can I work at multiple locations as a Victim Advocate on H-1B status?
Yes, but each worksite requires its own certified LCA filed with DOL before you begin working there. This is a common complication for advocates who rotate between courthouses, shelters, or hospital sites. Your employer must file amended or new H-1B petitions with USCIS if any worksite change is material. Failing to maintain separate LCAs for each location is a compliance violation.
How long does H-1B status last for a Victim Advocate job?
H-1B status is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended to a maximum of six years. Extensions beyond six years are possible only if your employer has begun a qualifying green card sponsorship process by a specific point in that timeline. Each extension requires a new I-129 petition and an updated certified LCA reflecting current prevailing wages at the worksite.