Victim Advocate (Client Assistance Specialist, Grade 20)
Salary
$67,672.00 - $107,323.00 Annually
Location
1301 Piccard Dr Rockville MD 20850 USA
Job Type
Permanent
Job Number
2026-00363
Department
Department of Health and Human Services
Division
HHS 60 Behavioral Health and Crisis Services Division
Opening Date
07/07/2026
Closing Date
7/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA
Exempt
About the Position
Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $67,672 to $98,010, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
WHO WE ARE
Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.
The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County's public health and human services that meets the needs of our community's most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.
As a department, we believe the health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Behavioral Health and Crisis Services is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Client Assistance Specialist to join our Trauma Services team. In this role, you will provide comprehensive victim advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, human trafficking, and general crimes including homicide, physical assault, etc.
What Youll Be Doing
This position plays a crucial role in helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, human trafficking, and general crimes including homicide, physical assault, etc. to overcome challenges and help them heal and better integrate into life after victimization. The client assistance specialist is responsible for but not limited to the following:
Bilingual applicants in Amharic, Korean, French or Spanish languages are encouraged to apply.
This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office.
Work Schedule: Flexibility is required, as client needs, court schedules, hospital response, or crisis situations may occasionally require evening or weekend hours.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.
Experience: One (1) year of experience in human services that involved substantive client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral. This experience must have included ability to communicate effectively across a wide range of cultures and overcome potential barriers to service.
Substitutions: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Medical Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicants responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the Countys "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriffs office) are subject to the Countys ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits
Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.
Retirement Benefits
All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.
Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness
Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.
Free Mass Transit Benefit
County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.
Reduced Child and Health Care Costs
Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.
Employee Wellbeing
We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.
Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
01
MQ Question Client Assistance Specialist (002814)
What is your highest level of completed education?
02
MQ Question Client Assistance Specialist (002814)
How many years of professional experience do you have in human services that involved direct, substantive client contact and service delivery through direct assistance or referral? This experience must have included ability to communicate effectively across a wide range of cultures and overcome potential barriers to service and must have required knowledge of the dynamics of trauma and victimization.
03
Are you a current or former Montgomery County Public Schools employee?
04
Do you have experience providing services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault/rape, human trafficking, or general crimes (e.g., assault, homicide, threats, or related crimes)?
05
Please describe the types of survivors you supported, the services you provided (such as advocacy, accompaniment, safety planning, referrals), and identify the position(s) on your resume where this work was performed. If you do not have experience in this area, indicate "N/A."
06
Do you have experience or working knowledge of the criminal justice system and community resources relevant to victim services?
07
Please describe the criminal justice processes, partners, or community resources you worked with, the types of interactions you had, and identify the position(s) on your resume where this occurred. If you do not have experience, indicate "N/A."
08
Select the one response that best describes your experience providing crisis intervention, safety planning, assessments, service planning, or case management services.
09
Please describe the crisis intervention, assessments, safety planning, service planning or case management activities you performed, the tools used, and identify the position or positions on your resume where this work was performed. If you do not have experience in this area, indicate "N/A".
10
Do you currently possess a valid Victim Assistance VAS I, VAS II, or VAS III Certification through the Roper Victim Assistance Academy?
11
Please provide the level of Victim Assistance Certification you currently hold and identify the position or positions on your resume where this certification was required or used. If you do not possess a Victim Assistance Certification, indicate "N/A."
12
Do you have experience preparing statistical or written reports, maintaining case documentation, or supporting grant related reporting requirements?
13
Please describe the types of reports or documentation you prepared (e.g., statistical reports, grant reporting, case notes), the systems or tools used, and identify the position(s) where this work was performed. If you do not have experience, indicate "N/A."
14
Are you multilingual in any of the following languages - Amharic, French, Korean, or Spanish?
15
Please indicate the language or languages in which you are proficient and describe your speaking, reading and interpreting ability in each language. Include examples of the types of tasks or interactions you performed in a professional setting and identify the position or positions on your resume where this work was performed. If you are not multilingual, indicate "N/A."
Required Question
Employer Montgomery County (MD)
Address 101 Monroe Street
7th Floor
Rockville, Maryland, 20850
Phone 240-777-0311