VICTIMS ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR

Position Summary

POSITION SUMMARY: The Victims Assistant Coordinator performs clerical duties to maintain and process records and forms; contacts, aids, and supports victims of crime; educates and assists victims through various steps in the judicial process; and maintains statistical data on program.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitate State compliance with crime victim’s rights under Chapter 56, TX Code Criminal Procedure
• Educating victims of their constitutional and statutory mandated rights and encourage their participation in the Criminal Justice System
• Ensure victims receive needed guidance and support during administrative, investigative, and legal procedures
• Provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and other violent crime including, crime victims compensation including determine eligibility and recommending compensation awards or denials, victim impact statements, restitution, crisis intervention and Texas Statewide Automated Victim Notification Services (SAVN)
• Ensure victims understand the processes involved and that personal identifying information data will be collected and reported
• Provide court accompaniment/support to victims in court proceedings
• Providing information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, results of trial and whether a defendant is incarcerated and for how long, opportunities to address the court, and post-sentencing notification
• Coordinate with other victim service agencies when appropriate
• Conduct or assist Prosecutors and Investigators in victim interviews
• Networks and forms liaisons with community service providers who work with victims to facilitate victim participation
• Regularly attends and participates in community social service meetings that focus on victim issues or assistance. Works closely with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, investigators, Board of Pardon and parole and the judiciary in delivering support to victims
• Maintain files in the case management system
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:
Required:

• Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, or related field; in lieu of degree additional 2 years’ experience in related field plus the years of experience required below

• Bachelor’s degree Criminal Justice, Social Work, or related field

• 4 years’ experience working with victims in social services or related field
• Must be loyal and able to keep the confidences of the office as required by law
• Knowledge Federal, State and local codes, laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the functions of a District Attorney's Office
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, Outlook
• Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, attorneys, investigators, police agencies, and citizens
• Proficient verbal and written skills to communicate information and directions to courts, attorneys, investigators, police agencies, and citizens

• Experience working with victims of crime
• (BILINGUAL) Fluent Spanish speaking, reading and writing with excellent communication

Supplemental Information

All Employees
oMust be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community
oMust have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
oMust be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to work under time pressures to meet deadlines; the employee must frequently change tasks, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and work closely with others as part of a team. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS: Some light lifting, bending, standing, walking (trial presentations/on-scene investigations) and prolonged sitting. Vision (ability to read police reports, law book, and normal printed material), understandable coherent speech and hearing.

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.