Victim/Witness Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

GREEN LAKE COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Victim/Witness Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: District Attorney

LOCATION: Government Center

SUPERVISOR: District Attorney and Office Manager

SUMMARY: 
The Victim/Witness Coordinator supports the mission and vision of the Green Lake County District Attorney's Office by administering the Victim/Witness Assistance Program. This position provides for the needs and protects the rights of victims and witnesses pursuant to Chapter 950 of the Wisconsin Statutes and the Victims' Rights Amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Remains current with the law regarding the rights and concerns of victims and witnesses. Establishes department policies and guidelines for protecting the rights of victims and witnesses. Provides updates to law enforcement personnel regarding interpretation and application of victim/witness policies, procedures and standards.
2. Prepares the annual budget for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program. Ensures the program is an approved state Chapter 950 Victim/Witness Assistance Program. Reviews and submits reimbursement reports and annual reports to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for state reimbursement.
3. Orients and advises victims and witnesses regarding rights, procedures and available resources. Maintains good working relationship with Office of Victim Services at Wisconsin Dept. of Justice. Provides appropriate services to victims and witnesses and maintains contact with them to keep them informed regarding case status. Escorts victims and witnesses to court proceedings. Reviews cases after court proceedings to ensure provision of appropriate services. Prepares restitution request summaries. Reviews and redacts, when necessary, victim impact statements. Provides prompt notice of subpoena cancellations. Logs contacts with victims and witnesses.
4. Ensures timely and det ailed documentation in cases regarding contact with victims, summaries of victim/witness input, and outcome of meetings.
5. Develops and maintains educational documents, brochures and pamphlets to be used for victims and witnesses in compliance with victims' rights provisions of Wisconsin Statutes and the Victims' Rights Amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution.
6. Anticipates and resolves problems to ensure witnesses' appearance in court. Reassures and persuades reluctant witnesses.
7. Schedules and attends appropriate meetings with victims, witnesses, and prosecutors. Assists in travel accommodations, including at times providing transportation for some victims or witnesses to court.
8. Develops strong professional working relationship with local and state victim advocacy organizations, local sexual assault or forensic nurse programs and other organizations providing services to victims of crime. Provides information on advocacy organization resources.
9. Attends periodic trainings in the areas of sexual assault issues, communication with victims, dealing with child victims, dealing with older adults as victims, developmental issues involved in the interviewing of children, safety needs of victims, grieving, juvenile law, and victims of juvenile crimes.
   
10. Serves as coordinator of Green Lake County Multi-Disciplinary Committee by scheduling meetings, updating committee documents/agreements and leads meetings.
    
11. Performs other duties as assigned, including receptionist duties and legal clerk tasks.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of Chapter 950 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Victims' Rights Amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution, and other statutes associated with victim and witness issues.
   
2. Knowledge of the criminal justice system, especially as it relates to crime victims and witnesses, and ability to provide direct services to them.
   
3. Knowledge of human behavior sufficient to permit working with people in stressful situations and establishing rapport in a relatively short time.
   
4. Knowledge of and ability to use and learn computer software and applications and a variety of office equipment, including a computer, photocopier, calculator, fax machine, scanner and telephone.
   
5. Ability to communicate program needs orally and in writing, including the ability to prepare reports, funding proposals, performance evaluations, statistical reports and policy and procedure manuals, and give public presentations.
   
6. Ability to establish and maintain effective public relations and working relations with victims, witnesses, law enforcement, courts and the public.
   
7. Ability to communicate effectively with victims and witnesses, court personnel, police agencies, crime victim services, attorneys, judges, District Attorney staff, Department of Corrections staff and others verbally and in writing. Ability to provide training and technical assistance to criminal justice personnel.
8. We welcome applicants with Spanish language skills, and bilingual ability is a valued bonus for this role.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION: Minimum of two years of education at an accredited institution of higher learning. 

EXPERIENCE: At least two years' experience in a social service, criminal justice or community resource agency with substantial client or consumer interaction. At least two years' education or experience in the criminal justice or court system preferred. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: About 95% of the time is spent sitting, using near and far vision, hearing, talking, and low-to-medium fingering for typing and data entry. Standing, walking, kneeling, stopping, and crouching occur about 5% of the time. Other actions may be required in unusual or irregular situations. Ability to hear normal conversations and communicate in a clear manner. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver's license. 

The position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Flexible hours may be needed. 

This is a public service position. Employees are required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times with the public and clients. This includes establishing and maintaining a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials. 

This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, working conditions and needed skills. It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions. This description is not intended to limit or modify the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The county retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from, any section of this document as it deems. in its judgment, to be proper. 

Green Lake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal Jaw requirements, Green Lake County complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Green Lake County has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.