Office of the District Attorney 18th Judicial District
Victim Witness Specialist - Special Victims Unit
Office of the District Attorney 18th Judicial District, Centennial, Colorado, United States,
This position will remain open until filled.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (serving Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Lincoln County and Elbert County) has an exciting opportunity to join the Victim Witness - Special Victims Unit team.*The Victim Witness Specialist assigned to the special victims unit is grant funded.We offer a generous benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401K matching, paid holidays and PTO.The salary range for this position is $53,851.20-$80,787.20.Additionally, the 18th Judicial District also provides:Career Advancement OpportunitiesTrainings / Continuing EducationPublic Service Loan Forgiveness Opportunities for those who qualify.This position performs semi-complex telephone and personal contact work with crime victims and witnesses in court matters to minimize the negative effect of the criminal justice system; supports deputy district attorneys in the prosecution of criminal cases through a variety of activities, including caseload management, scheduling, managing victim/witness meetings and interviews, arranging for travel, educating and referring victims to resources based on the needs of the victim or witness and the overall needs of the criminal prosecution/investigation.(The following examples of duties are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.)
Greets victims and witnesses upon arriving at court; explains the criminal justice system, processes, procedures, and legal terminology to victims and witnesses; answers questions and provides information to assist them with the process of court proceedings and procedures, e.g. shelter, safety, transportation, compensation, therapy, and community referrals; ensures witnesses are present for hearings and appear at the appropriate times; accompanies victims to Court when they testify or when they are present for other hearings; provides court tours for victims and families to increase their awareness of the criminal justice system.Assists prosecutors in case preparation through education and problem solving with victims and witnesses to ensure their cooperation and timely appearance in court; informs prosecutors of any potential witness problems or special needs of victims or witnesses; schedules witness appointments for prosecutors and schedules witnesses' trial appearance within a previously defined time frame or at attorney request, arranges transportation, food allowance, and hotel accommodations for out-of-state witnesses.Works with staff to ensure all notification of “critical stages” (pursuant to the Victim’s Rights Amendment) is done accurately and in a timely manner; creates and maintains factual case records; familiarizes victims with legislation affecting their rights within the criminal justice system.Initiates and responds to a wide variety of in-person and telephone contacts with crime victims, police, and lay witnesses to provide factual case-related information; communicates with personnel from various departments, e.g. Social Services, police agencies, probation offices, hospitals, doctor offices, detention facilities and schools, to support particular needs of victims and witnesses.Monitors witness lists to ensure cases have necessary witnesses for trials and various types of hearings; keeps prosecutors informed of witness status and potential conflicts; electronically prepares personal service requests to ensure the attendance of victims and witnesses; provides basic investigative assistance to locate victims and/or witnesses whose whereabouts are unknown. Logs and maintains subpoena waiver cards for immediate reference.Reviews new cases to determine whether new case filings are Victim's Rights cases or have a victim that requires notification; makes telephone calls to a variety of agencies regarding status of case and other inquiries; reads police reports for court cases and contacts external agencies regarding the appropriate handling of case. Generates simple correspondence; collects information for the preparation of petitions for payment of witness expenses.Downloads information in ACTION (District Attorney database) to generate a variety of required correspondence; downloads subpoenas for trial; processes and mails notification letters to victims to provide case information; generates, mails, and receives victim impact statements from crime victims.REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to gain general to considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system, standard legal/court procedures and terminology, and victimization issues; ability to discuss same with victims and witnesses of crimes.Ability to gain considerable knowledge of guidelines and statutes, e.g. Victim's Compensation Policy, Colorado Revised Statutes, Victim Rights enabling legislation, bond hearings, subpoena requests, and restitution issues; ability to find statutes applicable to situation; ability to stay informed and updated on ever-changing statutes. Ability to provide Criminal Justice System education, status of cases, court support, and referral services to victims. Ability to be sensitive to the needs of both victims and witnesses and the Criminal Justice System. Ability to gain familiarity with community agencies and resources.Ability to operate standard office equipment (e.g. computer, fax, copier), gain working knowledge of word processing/database programs (e.g. Word, E-Mail, Action), and gain working knowledge of procedures on downloading cases on Blackstone and processing notification letters for victims.Ability to organize, prioritize, and plan aspects of work; handle considerable detail and volume; be persistent and persuasive; perform under pressure in stressful situations with courtesy and tact; organize and maintain a referral system from E-Mail regarding the status of cases and Victim/Witness policies and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, attorneys, other law enforcement agencies' personnel, and the public, including victims, witnesses, and clients; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:Bachelor’s degree in victim assistance, human services, criminal justice or closely related field plus four (4) years’ experience in crime victim services. Comparable education and experience may be considered.COMPLEXITY/RESPONSIBILITY:Work in the class is characterized by the range of routine to complex contacts and tasks necessary to assure victim/witness timely appearance in court while remaining sensitive to the stressful nature of the victim/witness situation.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:Works under the general supervision of the Victim/Witness Lead and the Victim/Witness Director. Work is assigned as an area of responsibility; assistance is available in problematic areas.
SCOPE OF INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:Work in the class involves a wide variety of semi-complex personal and telephone contacts, some of which involve the use of persuasion and explanation to various levels of understanding; contacts are with superiors, fellow workers, victims, police and lay witnesses, other agencies and the general public, and involve the giving and receiving of non-routine, non-reoccurring information.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (serving Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Lincoln County and Elbert County) has an exciting opportunity to join the Victim Witness - Special Victims Unit team.*The Victim Witness Specialist assigned to the special victims unit is grant funded.We offer a generous benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401K matching, paid holidays and PTO.The salary range for this position is $53,851.20-$80,787.20.Additionally, the 18th Judicial District also provides:Career Advancement OpportunitiesTrainings / Continuing EducationPublic Service Loan Forgiveness Opportunities for those who qualify.This position performs semi-complex telephone and personal contact work with crime victims and witnesses in court matters to minimize the negative effect of the criminal justice system; supports deputy district attorneys in the prosecution of criminal cases through a variety of activities, including caseload management, scheduling, managing victim/witness meetings and interviews, arranging for travel, educating and referring victims to resources based on the needs of the victim or witness and the overall needs of the criminal prosecution/investigation.(The following examples of duties are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.)
Greets victims and witnesses upon arriving at court; explains the criminal justice system, processes, procedures, and legal terminology to victims and witnesses; answers questions and provides information to assist them with the process of court proceedings and procedures, e.g. shelter, safety, transportation, compensation, therapy, and community referrals; ensures witnesses are present for hearings and appear at the appropriate times; accompanies victims to Court when they testify or when they are present for other hearings; provides court tours for victims and families to increase their awareness of the criminal justice system.Assists prosecutors in case preparation through education and problem solving with victims and witnesses to ensure their cooperation and timely appearance in court; informs prosecutors of any potential witness problems or special needs of victims or witnesses; schedules witness appointments for prosecutors and schedules witnesses' trial appearance within a previously defined time frame or at attorney request, arranges transportation, food allowance, and hotel accommodations for out-of-state witnesses.Works with staff to ensure all notification of “critical stages” (pursuant to the Victim’s Rights Amendment) is done accurately and in a timely manner; creates and maintains factual case records; familiarizes victims with legislation affecting their rights within the criminal justice system.Initiates and responds to a wide variety of in-person and telephone contacts with crime victims, police, and lay witnesses to provide factual case-related information; communicates with personnel from various departments, e.g. Social Services, police agencies, probation offices, hospitals, doctor offices, detention facilities and schools, to support particular needs of victims and witnesses.Monitors witness lists to ensure cases have necessary witnesses for trials and various types of hearings; keeps prosecutors informed of witness status and potential conflicts; electronically prepares personal service requests to ensure the attendance of victims and witnesses; provides basic investigative assistance to locate victims and/or witnesses whose whereabouts are unknown. Logs and maintains subpoena waiver cards for immediate reference.Reviews new cases to determine whether new case filings are Victim's Rights cases or have a victim that requires notification; makes telephone calls to a variety of agencies regarding status of case and other inquiries; reads police reports for court cases and contacts external agencies regarding the appropriate handling of case. Generates simple correspondence; collects information for the preparation of petitions for payment of witness expenses.Downloads information in ACTION (District Attorney database) to generate a variety of required correspondence; downloads subpoenas for trial; processes and mails notification letters to victims to provide case information; generates, mails, and receives victim impact statements from crime victims.REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to gain general to considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system, standard legal/court procedures and terminology, and victimization issues; ability to discuss same with victims and witnesses of crimes.Ability to gain considerable knowledge of guidelines and statutes, e.g. Victim's Compensation Policy, Colorado Revised Statutes, Victim Rights enabling legislation, bond hearings, subpoena requests, and restitution issues; ability to find statutes applicable to situation; ability to stay informed and updated on ever-changing statutes. Ability to provide Criminal Justice System education, status of cases, court support, and referral services to victims. Ability to be sensitive to the needs of both victims and witnesses and the Criminal Justice System. Ability to gain familiarity with community agencies and resources.Ability to operate standard office equipment (e.g. computer, fax, copier), gain working knowledge of word processing/database programs (e.g. Word, E-Mail, Action), and gain working knowledge of procedures on downloading cases on Blackstone and processing notification letters for victims.Ability to organize, prioritize, and plan aspects of work; handle considerable detail and volume; be persistent and persuasive; perform under pressure in stressful situations with courtesy and tact; organize and maintain a referral system from E-Mail regarding the status of cases and Victim/Witness policies and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, attorneys, other law enforcement agencies' personnel, and the public, including victims, witnesses, and clients; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:Bachelor’s degree in victim assistance, human services, criminal justice or closely related field plus four (4) years’ experience in crime victim services. Comparable education and experience may be considered.COMPLEXITY/RESPONSIBILITY:Work in the class is characterized by the range of routine to complex contacts and tasks necessary to assure victim/witness timely appearance in court while remaining sensitive to the stressful nature of the victim/witness situation.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:Works under the general supervision of the Victim/Witness Lead and the Victim/Witness Director. Work is assigned as an area of responsibility; assistance is available in problematic areas.
SCOPE OF INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:Work in the class involves a wide variety of semi-complex personal and telephone contacts, some of which involve the use of persuasion and explanation to various levels of understanding; contacts are with superiors, fellow workers, victims, police and lay witnesses, other agencies and the general public, and involve the giving and receiving of non-routine, non-reoccurring information.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr