Victim/Witness Assistant

Job Summary

Provides crime victims with information pertaining to statutorily mandated victim/s rights, facilitates an understanding of the criminal justice and juvenile justice processes. Acts as a resource to other employees regarding issues related to crime victims' rights. Provides supportive services to crime victims and make referrals to other community resources when appropriate. Coordinates legal support services, handles large, assigned caseload with numerous victim files, and coordinates and attends meetings and court hearings with victims and witnesses on cases prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Works on a fast-paced, time-sensitive, and large assigned caseload under stressful conditions on a daily basis.
• Provides direct services to victims and family members of crimes by providing timely, clear, and accurate information regarding the criminal justice process, compliant with statutorily mandated victims' rights pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 611A.
• Coordinates witness management support for prosecutors in preparation for meetings, court hearings, and trials.  Notifies victims and witnesses of court hearings and coordinates their testimonies at hearings and trials; assists in the courtroom as necessary.
• Provides accurate record keeping of all meetings with prosecutors, victims, and witnesses of what transpired in advance of court hearings.
• Regularly adapts to any changing criminal and civil laws and procedures regarding issues such as data practices/sharing of information and discovery, while maintaining confidentiality of highly sensitive information as required, so as not to improperly disclose any information.
• Communicates with prosecutors about a victim's needs, accompanying victims in court and arranging security and privacy while waiting for court to begin; advising the court if an interpreter is needed. 
• Ongoing case management of assigned victim files, including providing support to victims and witnesses, coordinating meetings, accompanying victims to court, providing ongoing support during court process to all justice partners.
• Perform various administrative responsibilities and case management responsibilities such as opening files, maintaining an accurate database in MCAPS with victim demographic information and involvement in the case, drafting and sending letters, updating files after court, monitors court hearings; notifies victims of court dates, changes in court dates, and/or case progress. 
• Handles multiple daily phone calls to include responding to inquiries from victims, witnesses, and the public; retrieves information from courts and other justice partners to timely respond to the caller; disseminates a wide variety of complex and sensitive information, with attention to complex data practices laws. 
• Advises victims in the preparation of restitution requests and victim impact statements; advises victims when it is appropriate to address the court with their victim impact statement. 
• Collaborates and provides direct support to the Victim/Witness Supervisor to identify victim's needs and best methods for procedures to meet the needs. 
• Ongoing regular management of changes to ensure an accurate database in MCAPS of victim's name, addresses, phone numbers, and involvement.
• Ongoing compliance with statutorily mandated victim’s rights with meetings with victims, prosecutors, and correspondence to pertinent parties and justice partners. 
• Represents, attends, and participates in committees, task forces, or other special projects as requested and/or required by the County Attorney’s Office.   
• Maintains supplies of forms, brochures, and special items for victims. 
• Opens, sorts, and processes incoming correspondence. 
• Inputs and scans victim information into database for the office to view; ensures accuracy of the data. 

• Works collaboratively and in cooperation with other counties and agencies within and outside the state of Minnesota.

• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time. 
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of an Associate's Degree in a field related to Criminal Justice and two years of legal support work or criminal justice experience. Experience with victims or witnesses is preferred. The incumbent shall provide a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general supervision from the Victim Witness Supervisor. With latitude for independent judgment, work is performed according to established procedures and verbal and written instructions from the supervisor. Work is reviewed by the supervisor and the Chief Deputy County Attorney for accuracy and adherence to office procedures.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge of legal clerical practices including legal terminology, documents, forms, and procedures.
•  Knowledge of policies, practices, and services of the County Attorney's Office.
•  Knowledge of proper business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
•  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, employees in other offices and the public.
• Ability to represent the County Attorney’s Office to victims and witnesses of crimes as the first point of contact with the public.
•  Ability to work with people in varying states of emotions.
•  Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in the completion of legal clerical support assignments and individual case load management.
•  Ability to work independently in the absence of specific instructions; to communicate both orally and in writing and make decisions in accordance with laws and policies.
•  Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
•  Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.
• Ability to multi-task in an office with changing priorities, periods of chronic high stress, legal time constraints, and deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting.
Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.