Victim Assistance Coordinator

Victims Assistance Coordinator

Under general supervision of the Lead Victims Assistance Coordinator, the Victims Assistance Coordinator provides direct services to victims of crime, and their families within Hays County. The work involves treating a variety of problems, questions, or situations in conformance with established criteria. The work product affects the operation of the County's Victim's Assistance Program. This position affects the well-being of Hays County victims and their families. Individuals in this position serve at the pleasure of the current elected official.

Responsibilities include maintaining a positive working agreement with community agencies to secure available resources for victims and their families; serving as the first contact for victims of misdemeanor, felony, violent and non-violent, property, and family crimes filed with and accepted by the Hays County Criminal District Attorney's office; limited counseling for violent crime victims; assisting victims in achieving all the provisions set out in the Rights of Crime Victims; referring victims to counseling, social services, shelters and other agencies for assistance; keeping victims informed of the status of their case by mail, email and phone contact; entering victim information and documents all contact and attempted contact with victims in Odyssey; preparing victim information packets; assisting prosecutors and investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses; attending Jury Trials with victims during their testimony for emotional support; providing follow up on special requests from prosecutors and investigators as requested; obtaining restitution information from victims and providing alternate means for the victim to be compensated for damages incurred as a result of criminal behavior and process restitution orders once all documents are gathered; providing ongoing support information, resource materials, and referrals for additional services to victims; processing Witness Fee Claim Forms when necessary; processing U visa applications upon request once case is closed; assisting in training Interns; assisting in maintaining victim waiting rooms; translating for non-English speaking victims; scheduling appointments and interviews with victims; processing Protective Order Applications; setting and attending Protective Order hearings with petitioner; attending bond increase hearings with victims; attending and participating in Multi-Disciplinary Team and Sexual Assault Response Team monthly meetings; assisting in making presentations to community agencies in regards to victim's rights; accompanying crime victims at court proceedings, including jury trials and protective order hearings; accompanying investigators and prosecutors to victim's home, hospital, school, work, and counselor's offices; performing routine administrative assistant tasks such as filing, scanning, emailing, copying and establishing, maintaining, and organizing case files; preparing daily logs of numbers and types of contacts with victims and assists with case statistical recordkeeping and prepares cover sheets for both felony and misdemeanor with victim information to keep up with intake; may be called upon to testify; and performing other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience: Requires bachelor's degree or knowledge equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science, or a closely related area. Requires three years victim assistance or related social work experience. Any equivalent combination of experience and training may substitute for educational requirements.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Requires attendance and completion of basic TLETS Course. Knowledge Required: General knowledge of the Hays County Criminal District Attorney's Office regulations, policies and procedures. General knowledge of Hays County law enforcement and criminal justice methods and practices. General knowledge of modern office procedures and practices. Exceptional knowledge of the impact of crimes on individuals and families. Exceptional knowledge of Hays County Victim's Assistance Program, including its mission statement, goals, methods and procedures and of acceptable practices in providing victims assistance to crime victims. Exceptional knowledge of word-processing specifically windows applications including Microsoft Word and Excel. Required Skill: General skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, vendors, outside agencies, victims of crime, and the general public. General skill in utilizing routine office equipment, including telephones, personal computers, Microsoft and Excel software. General skill in public speaking. General skill in following Hays County policy and procedures. General organizational skills. General skill in expressing oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Spanish speaking preferred. Exceptional skill in listening to others and discerning appropriate needs and responses. Exceptional skill in assisting and advocating for crime victims and their families, throughout the judicial process, in all levels of crime. Exceptional skill in completing the forms and processes pertaining to victim's rights, including Victim Impact Statements, Crime Victims' Compensation Applications, Restitution Orders and Protective Orders.