Victim Witness Assistant

Description

Under the supervision of the Assistant Chief Prosecutor, ensures implementation of victims' rights as mandated by law, includes attending court hearings, trials, and witness management. Provides crisis intervention and emotional support to victims and/or witnesses regarding criminal justice.

Essential Functions

• Sends informational packets to victims of crime to inform the victim of the charges filed and their rights under the Crime Victims' Rights Act. Provides victims with impact statement to complete and return if they choose to take advantage of their rights under law.
• Informs victims, by letter or telephone, of court dates and actions taken. Ensures that statutory requirements regarding notification are fulfilled at each step during prosecution of the case.
• Advises victims of hearings and final dispositions which includes providing forms to be completed by the victim and assists with the preparation of such statements.
• Assists victims in completing applications for compensation to recover some of the expenses incurred as a result of the crime. Provides victims with information that may assist in filing a claim.
• Meets and/or assists victims in preparing for court and provides support by familiarizing them with the court process. Serves subpoenas to victims during scheduled meetings and to other witnesses outside of the office with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney.
• Attends hearings and trials with victims as requested.
• Schedules appointments with the assistant prosecutors for victims and explains court procedures and their rights to these individuals.
• Interviews victims and/or families of victims to discuss the case and possible plea agreements and acts as liaison between the victim and the prosecutor.
• Provides crisis intervention and assistance to victims in obtaining Personal Protection Orders, handles threats, and shelter referrals or counseling.
• Assists assistant prosecutors and police agencies with problem witnesses. With police support, serves
• May supervise grant paid employees, interns, and volunteers, includes making work assignments and reviewing work products.
• Coordinates travel arrangements for witnesses attending court from outside the area. Provides transportation to court as necessary.
• May assist in grant writing for the victim/witness unit.
• Serves on boards and councils to provide input on victim's issues. Makes presentations to community groups, local police departments, hospitals, and other organizations on victim's rights and the County's victim/witness program.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are standards of performance required for this position.

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.

Employment Qualifications

Education: A minimum of two years of college level coursework in criminal justice or a human services field is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of experience in a Prosecutor's office or other legal setting which would provide familiarity with the judicial system.

Other Requirements: None

(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)

Requirements and Working Conditions

Working Conditions:

• This position works in an indoor environment. There is no planned exposure to prominent lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions.
• This position is exposed to individuals in crisis. These individuals may suffer from mental or emotional illness, have violent tendencies or be unconcerned with their personal safety and hygiene.
• This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments. Some appointments may be held at personal residences where levels of cleanliness and safety vary.

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, traverse, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position's physical requirements require continuous stamina (more than 50%) sitting. This position's physical requirements require regular stamina (21-50% of the time) traversing, typing, repetitive movements of the wrists hands or fingers. This position's physical requirements require periodic stamina (5-20% of the time) standing, carrying, reaching, grasping and handling. This position's physical requirements require little to no stamina (less than 5%) lifting, pushing, pulling, pinching.
• This position performs light work requiring the ability to exert 20 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm's reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.