Victim Services Assistant - Grant-Funded

A Victim Services Assistant (VSA) performs highly interactive duties, working directly with crime victims by assisting them in understanding and participating in the criminal justice system.  VSA duties include:  serving as a liaison between victims, Prosecution, and Court staff; accompanying victims to court proceedings and educating them on their constitutional and statutorily mandated victims’ rights; notifying victims about restitution eligibility and other economic recovery options; processing restitution requests and victim impact statements; assisting victims with safety planning and securing protective orders; assessing victims’ needs, providing them with empathetic listening and emotional support, and connecting them with community resources and services; and providing follow-up contact with domestic violence victims after case disposition.
 

VSA duties require high attention to detail while maintaining computer automated case management systems and digital records.  This involves daily data entry; maintenance of statistical records on victims served and services provided; and thorough documentation of all advocacy work, including communication with victims, prosecution, and court staff.  VSAs work closely with prosecuting attorneys and legal staff to improve services for victims; and they recommend policy and procedure changes to support team collaboration and ongoing process improvements.  VSAs provide training on victims’ rights, facilitate victim-related community outreach activities, and assist in the training of volunteer staff in Victim Services, and perform other duties as assigned.

Employee Values:  All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required.  Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field; and a minimum of six months’ full-time work or internship experience in counseling, social work, crisis intervention, criminal justice, or a related field which involves public contact.
 

Special Requirements.  For this position, an individual receiving a conditional offer of employment from the City of Mesa must pass a background investigation through the City of Mesa Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Federal Bureau of Investigation prior to commencing employment with the City of Mesa.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.  Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills and personal computer (PC) experience with Microsoft Office.