DA Victim Witness Assistant presso Weld County Government

Compensation Range

$27.08 - $35.20

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Job Description Summary

Victim Witness Assistant position acts as an advocate for victims, victims’ families, and witnesses to minimize the negative impact of the criminal justice system. Victim Witness Assistant in District Attorney’s Office have a dual role: to be a Victim Assistant, supporting and educating the victim as they go through the Criminal Justice System, and to assist the Deputy District Attorney in the prosecution of the case by maintaining case management on all witnesses subpoenaed for court hearings. Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly desirable.

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Job Description

The following job duties are established to outline the basic duties and responsibilities of the above captioned position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 

 

VRA Case review and management (50%):

• Provide constitutionally and statutorily mandated direct services to victims of felony and misdemeanor crimes. Initiate contact with victims and witnesses upon review of felony or misdemeanor case summaries, conducts initial needs assessments, provide appropriate community referrals, assist with application for victims' compensation and restitution.
• Maintain case records and files, collecting and reporting restitution and statistical information.
• Locate victims and witnesses as required, and contact victims and witnesses when trial or other court dates are vacated.
• Obtain interpreters for victims and witnesses as needed.
• Develop plans of action and provides conflict resolution for situations and/or problems that may arise with victims and/or witnesses to facilitate emotional healing and to enhance the State’s ability to effectively prosecute defendants;  intervene with employers to explain judicial process and employers obligations under the law not to penalize employees for testifying, taking steps to educate employers on issues of “re-victimization” and on how to support employees during the healing process; assist victims/witnesses in developing a safety plan, referrals to safe houses, coordinating transportation, advising police and DA’s regarding threats, tampering and stalking of victims and witnesses; provide a continued plan of counseling and therapy for the victim/witness by making referrals to victim service agencies, therapist and support groups.

Court Assistance (30%):

• Provide education and support to victims, witnesses and families by performing the following services: accompanying victims and/or witnesses to court appearances as needed; educating victims about the criminal justice process and familiarizing them with the courtroom; responding to questions regarding the judicial process and explain various pre-trial procedures; explaining HIV testing to sexual assault victims and providing follow-up support, advising victims regarding HIV test results, and appropriate support and follow-up services.
• Coordinate interviews with all individuals and officials involved in the case, attending interviews as required.
• Manage trials and other critical events by scheduling meetings with prosecutors and investigators to discuss victim/witness needs and issues; contacting all witnesses and advising of trial/critical event status and appearance times; coordinating local and out-of-state transportation and lodging for victims and witnesses; planning pre-trial meetings with victims and prosecutors and attending same as required; preparing victims and witnesses for testimony; corresponding with victims and witnesses regarding travel arrangement and case status; and providing phone contact regarding case status.
• Serve as liaison among various officials and agencies in the judicial system; mediates differences that arise between witnesses and judicial personnel; educates victims and witnesses regarding legal procedure and encourages them to participate in the judicial process. 

Training (10%):

• Perform outreach activities, providing agencies and/or the public with information regarding Victim Witness Assistance Unit and activities offered.
• Attend seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lecturers, etc., as appropriate to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in field; review professional journals, attend association and professional meetings; and otherwise maintain contacts with professionals to facilitate exchange and information.

Other (10%):

• Follow policies and procedures in the Weld County District Attorney’s Office Policy Manual and adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines and appropriate release of information outlined in both.
• Not all duties mentioned may be applicable to every position, and the examples provided do not encompass all possible duties that may exist within this job classification.

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Required Qualifications

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree Human Services, Criminal Justice, or closely related field or 1 year Equivalent education and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Principles, practices, and objectives as related to the criminal justice system and prosecution, crisis intervention techniques, counseling methods, and interviewing techniques in a victim/witness program.
• Principles of human behavior.
• Record-keeping and reporting procedures
• Routine software and business applications, including but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and database.
• Scope and application of laws and regulations pertaining to victim/witness programs.
• Considerable knowledge of Victim’s Rights Enabling Legislation, Colorado criminal statutes, rules of procedure, criminal justice components and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and/or correct a variety of correspondence and applications.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Travel to other jurisdictions to participate in special prosecutions or in remote offices as assigned.
• Ability to oversee the management of court cases.
• Evaluate and apply program policies and procedures.
• Effectively respond to conflict situations and people in conflict.
• Provide empathetic support to victims and witnesses and extract pertinent information from interviews and reports.
• Skill in the use of common office machines, including popular computer-based word processing, spreadsheet, and file maintenance programs.

This position is non- exempt (Compensation to determine FLSA status) from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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Use the link below to get a closer look at the generous benefits offered:

https://www.weld.gov/Government/County-Information/Join-Our-Team/Employee-Benefits

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Weld County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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