Victim Witness Coordinator Job at Washington County, MN
JOB SPECIFICS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Two years of post-secondary education in social sciences, criminal justice, behavioral science, or a related field
AND - One year of related experience (paid or unpaid)
RESPONSIBILITIES: The candidate will assist and advise crime victims and witnesses under the overall responsibility of the County Attorney's office criminal division chief. Candidate will work closely with the case prosecutors in all aspects of victim services, trial preparation and coordination, and post trial or plea matters including protection of victim rights under state statute.
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:
- Three (3) years experience in Criminal Justice System
- Experience working with victims of crime
- Prior experience working in public sector prosecutor and/or public safety.
- Prior experience working criminal justice system including law enforcement, corrections, court services, or related field.
HOURS / DAYS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.
ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $26.37 - $35.93/ per hour
SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top-scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Criminal Assistant Division Chief, Victim Witness Coordinators serve as liaisons between the criminal justice system, the County Attorney's Office, and victims or witnesses. Coordinators provide victims and witnesses with information about court proceedings, help them prepare for court, attend court proceedings, and direct them to available resources. Coordinators also perform a variety of administrative tasks to assist victims and witnesses. The Victim Witness Coordinator provides services to improve victims' and witnesses' knowledge, comfort, convenience, and security during their involvement in the legal system.
EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The Victim Witness Coordinator position requires two years of post-secondary education in social sciences, criminal justice, behavioral science, or a related field, plus one year of related experience (paid or unpaid), or equivalent. A driver's license is required.
CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE
Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
- Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace;
- Demonstrates respect and appreciation for the diversity of others;
- Builds trust with victims and witnesses to alleviate anxiety associated with the judicial process;
- Works collaboratively both within the organization and with others involved in the legal process to achieve common goals;
- Resolves conflicts and disagreements in a positive and constructive manner to minimize negative impacts.
- Understands court processes and procedures; Uses intuition and experience to recommend programs and services for victims and witnesses; Manages difficult and emotional situations;
- Keeps emotions under control; Maintains a calm, professional demeanor at all times; Writes clear and concise reports and letters; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality services and programs; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; and aligns work with the department goal to improve public safety.
- Works in a honest and ethical manner; Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of others; Observes appropriate boundaries when working with victims, witnesses and their families; Relates to a diverse group of individuals; Follows policies and procedures related to State Statute 611A; Maintains confidentiality; Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Deals with frequent change, delays or unexpected events; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; and reports potentially unsafe situations or individuals.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Please note that Victim Witness Coordinators may perform some or all of the following tasks depending on their areas of expertise.
Provide victims and witnesses with information about court proceedings:
- Educate victims, witnesses and their families about the Victim Rights Act, Minnesota Statute 611A;
- Explain judicial processes and procedures that pertain to the victim or witness's situation both in person and in writing;
- Advise victims and witnesses of court dates;
- Assist victims in obtaining additional law enforcement protection and no-contact orders; and
- Explain how to retrieve stolen or personal property once it is no longer needed for evidence.
Help victims, witnesses and families prepare for court:
- Explain how to provide input for plea negotiations and dispositions;
- Schedule and assist in forensic interviews;
- Attend meetings with law enforcement officers and attorneys gathering facts and material evidence for the case;
- Notify law enforcement personnel of new facts and evidence for appropriate follow through investigation and response;
- Help victims and witnesses prepare their testimony;
- Schedule meetings with trial attorneys;
- Assist victims in writing victim impact statements;
- Explain restitution affidavits and how to recover ordered restitution;
- Review restitution affidavits for accuracy and legality of items requested
- Complete other documents related to court proceedings;
- Coordinate court appearances with attorneys and the court; and
- Advise victims and witnesses of changes to the court schedule or cancellation of court events to which they may have been subpoenaed.
Attend court proceedings:
- Arrange transportation for victims and witnesses to attend court proceedings;
- Ensure privacy and security for witnesses during court appearances by utilizing waiting areas separate from defense witnesses;
- Accompany victims to court hearings and explain criminal proceedings;
- Advise victims and witnesses of the final disposition of the case; and
- Assist the prosecuting attorney in presenting the case by coordinating the witness lineup, videos, audiotapes, visual aids, and other relevant materials or activities.
Direct victims and witnesses to resources available to them:
- Refer victims to community resources such as the Harriet Tubman Center, Rape and Sexual Violence Center, and Canvas Health;
- Provide victims and witnesses with information about the address confidentiality program;
- Assist victims and witnesses with registration for programs that notify them of offenders' custody, supervision and release status;
- Intervene with employers in order that victims and witnesses are not discriminated against in any manner because of their appearances in court;
- Obtain judgments for victims with respect to restitution owed as directed by the court, terms of probation and/or an attorney; and
- Review services available through the Veterans Program.
Perform a variety of administrative tasks:
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Uses a computer, printer, telephone, copier, fax machine, scanner, calculator; Work requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to individuals. Most work is sedentary and may require lifting twenty pounds. Report preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. There is some pressure associated with working with individuals who have experienced trauma, appearing in court, meeting deadlines outlined by State Statute 611A, and preparing reports.
- Maintain the criminal or juvenile case file by entering pertinent information with respect to victim contact and restitution;
- Reconcile the emergency fund and restitution fund checking accounts;
- Disburse emergency funds;
- Distribute restitution funds directly to victims;
- Forward revenue recapture payments to Court Administration;
- Provide victim information to Washington County Community Corrections at the time of sentencing or for diversion applications;
- Assist County Attorney staff in meeting statutory victim related obligations in collateral matters such as expungements and related civil mental health or sex offender commitment proceedings;
- Collect and compile statistics and prepare reports for both grant applications and use reports;
- Submit quarterly reports with statistical information to the State of Minnesota;
- Utilize several databases such as LENS, MNCIS, Odyssey, Westlaw, Minnesota Revenue Recapture, Vinelink, and MN Choice;
- Format new forms or brochures and maintain supplies of forms and brochures for victims and witnesses; and
- Prepare bulk mailings.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Uses a computer, printer, telephone, copier, fax machine, scanner, calculator; Work requires the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to individuals. Most work is sedentary and may require lifting twenty pounds. Report preparation and writing at times requires extended use of a keyboard. There is some pressure associated with working with individuals who have experienced trauma, appearing in court, meeting deadlines outlined by State Statute 611A, and preparing reports.
Victim Witness Coordinators spend about one quarter of their time in the courtroom and most of their time in a climate controlled office setting with moderate noise levels and adequate lighting. Work may involve travelling to meetings in the metro area one to two times per month.
Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.
Washington County offers a comprehensive benefit package (Download PDF reader) including paid time off, holidays, medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance.
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