Victim/Witness Supervisor

Job Summary

The Victim Witness Supervisor (VWS) works collaboratively with Attorney's Office management team to establish policy, procedures, programs and services in support of victims and witnesses to assist them during their participation in the criminal justice system/process. In this role, the incumbent has the responsibility for overseeing and directing the overall daily operations of Victim Witness Assistants. Incumbent oversees staff including participating in the hiring process of Victim Witness Assistants; as well as organizing, training, coaching, and supervision of such staff. Work is performed primarily in an office setting with occasional activities occurring off site.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Supervises staff in the performance of job duties; including hiring, evaluating, disciplining, discharging, approving work schedules, leave requests, work assignments, staffing level recommendations, and ensuring compliance with statues, rules, protocols and core competencies.
•  Develops and conducts training for all victim/witness staff, including on-boarding, substantive training on legal statutes, and the victim/witness duties to victims and witnesses with County cases in the county’s justice system, with an understanding of legislative changes and how those updates impact daily operations.
•  Establishes policies and procedures and oversees the operations and tasks of entire Victim Witness division program to ensure effective levels and delivery of service, and to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
•  Communicates with other departments such as court administration, community corrections, the Sheriff’s Office, and other law enforcement agencies to facilitate the smooth operations of our policies and protocols.
•  Assigns cases and workload to the Victim Witness Assistants. 
• Provides timely, clear, accurate information, and education regarding the criminal, child protection, and juvenile justice systems to victims and witnesses. 
•  Complies with all duties associated with statutorily mandated victim's rights. 
•  Accompanies victims to court; provides support, compassion, and empathy to victims, their families, their friends, and witnesses during the legal process while maintaining clear relationship boundaries. 
•  Assists attorneys in court with victim and witness testimony and trial preparation; explains plea negotiations, dispositions, and sentencing guidelines to victims and witnesses.  
•  Keeps accurate and current list of support resources in the community to ensure appropriate referrals when needed by victims and witnesses. 
•  Organizes law enforcement trainings to be conducted by attorneys in the office.  
•  Represents the division at internal meetings with assistant county attorneys and other staff members to ensure procedures are adhered to and changes or improvements are addressed to ensure proper service to the victims and witnesses in County cases. Ensures perspectives and interests of the Victim Witness program and process are represented. 
•  Handles paperwork and other administrative duties, including obtaining medical records of victims, paying sexual assault examination bills of victims, processing witness certificate forms, etc. 
•  Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.
•  Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.  
•  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 five years of related legal or criminal justice experience, including some work with victims or witnesses. A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general supervision from the Chief Deputy County Attorney. 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 for accuracy and adherence to office procedures.
The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others, including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. 

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 and experience in the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge and experience in the area of victimization.
•  Knowledge of available community and county resources to crime victims.
• Knowledge of policy, procedure, and process as related to public sector issues.
• Knowledge of county policies, procedures, and labor contracts.
•  Ability to work with people in varying states of emotions.
• Ability to work with diverse group of victims/witnesses (adults, juveniles, uncooperative victims/witnesses).
•  Ability to effectively communicate the concerns of victims/witnesses to prosecuting attorneys and accurately communicate to the victim the concerns and rationale of the prosecutor for the decisions made.
•  Ability to make independent decisions concerning procedure options.
•  Ability to remain calm, composed, and professional when dealing in high-pressure and emotionally charged situations with family members and victims of serious crime; including criminal sexual conduct, assault, and fatalities.
•  Ability to accomplish assigned tasks with only general directions.
• 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.

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.