Victim Services Volunteer

**VICTIM SERVICES DIRECT SERVICE VOLUNTEER**

The Victim Services Branch is a Provincial, and International Award-Winning Branch of the Hamilton Police Service comprised of 5 staff members and approximately 60 volunteers.

Join us in providing emotional support for victims of crime and/or trauma in the City of Hamilton.

**Job Title: Victim Services Direct Service Volunteer**

**Department: Victim Services Branch, Investigative Services Division**

**Location**: A variety of locations throughout the City of Hamilton, including personal residences, public places, and police stations.

**Reports to**: Victim Services Branch Staff and/or scheduled Team Leader

**Hours of Work**:

- At least four (4) 7.5 or 8.5 hour scheduled on-call shifts per month, including taking turns for weekend and statutory holiday shifts.
- Weekday shift times are: 1630-0000 hours or 0000-0830 hours. Weekend and statutory holiday shift times are: 0000-0830 hours, 0830-1630 or 1630-0000 hours.
- Attendance is mandatory at professional development training.

**Commitment**: Minimum one year from the time training ends

**Notice Date**: May 9th, 2025

**Application Deadline**:May 29th, 2025

Please note: This position is an **unpaid volunteer position**.

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Volunteers are dispatched to provide service for a variety of circumstances, including, but not limited to, sudden death, suicide, motor vehicle collisions (MVC), intimate partner violence, sexual assaults, and fire scenes.

**GENERAL DUTIES**
- Provide emotional support to someone who has survived a tragedy, suffered a traumatic loss, witnessed a traumatic event or has been physically hurt or threatened
- Provide practical assistance to a victim and their family
- Provide referrals to community resources
- Provide information about what to expect and next steps
- Provide professional intervention within the bounds of HPS policies and procedures
- Check Online Message Centre regularly and respond accordingly
- Adhere to deadlines for shift registration
- Uphold Hamilton Police Service’s Vision, Mission, Values, and Ethics
- Demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, empathy, compassion, and excellent communications skills (e.g. active listening)

**REQUIREMENTS**
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
- Be at least 21 years of age or older
- Live within the City of Hamilton
- Possess a valid Class G Driver’s Licence, with no more than six (6) accumulated demerit points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario
- Have access to a vehicle
- Have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted
- Pass a Police Information Check and annual background checks
- Must possess the ability to work with victims/witnesses of crime/trauma, and exposure to traumatic circumstances.
- Have a willingness to give back to the community
- Be compassionate and empathetic, care about others well-being, and have excellent problem solving, listening, and communication skills

**ORIENTATION/TRAINING**
- Initial 6 mandatory in class training sessions In July 2025, which teaches volunteers how to handle sensitive crime related situations and become familiar with working with victims of crime and/or circumstance via group work and role playing.
- In addition to the 6 classes of training, completion of a series of mandatory online training modules through the Learning Management System - Canadian Police Knowledge Network.
- Volunteer Orientation/Resource Manuals
- Ongoing professional development training and mentorship

There will be a volunteer evaluation and assessment conducted at the end of the training program, as well as an opportunity for volunteers to participate in an “end-of-class” survey following training.

**RECRUITMENT PROCESS & TERMS**
- Application/Resume Review and Supplementary Application
- Mandatory attendance at a Victim Services Orientation Night
- Interview with Victim Services Branch Staff
- Police and Reference Checks
- Invitation to Victim Services Training (June)
- Victim Services Branch Volunteer Contract Sign-off, Volunteer Code of Conduct Sign-off, Undertaking of Confidentiality Sign-off, Release and Waiver Sign-off
- Mandatory attendance for 6 training sessions (July)
- An offer to attend the Victim Services Volunteer Training Program does not guarantee that an applicant will be accepted into the Direct Service Volunteer Program
- If selected, volunteers shall not engage in any activity that may result in a criminal record or bring discredit to the Hamilton Police Service or misuse HPS Photo ID
- Volunteers must adhere to direction given at a scene by an Officer or Team Leader, all policies and procedures of the HPS, and the HPS Volunteer Code of Conduct

**IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBERS, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO GAIN SKILLS & EXPERIENCE IN SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF CRIME OR THOSE IMPACTED BY TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.**

The Hamilton Police Service is an equal opportun