Victim Witness Coordinator

WAGE: $27.63

DEPARTMENT: Attorney - Criminal Division

BENEFITS: Health, Dental, Vision, Retirement, 401k match, Sick/Vacation, Life Insurance, Short-term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Maternity Leave, Parental Leave

PERSONNEL STATUS: Full Time

JOB OVERVIEW:

Under the general guidance and direction of the Chief Criminal Attorney protects the rights of victims of crime and witnesses by providing information, crisis intervention and support to victims and their families during the criminal justice process, while doing so with dignity and respect and also being sensitive to the needs of crime victims.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Act as a liaison between victims, witnesses, family members of the victim and the Deputy County Attorney assigned to that case.

Assist victims on various crimes such as: homicides, sexual assaults, property crimes, domestic violence, child crimes and other serious felonies and misdemeanors. Assists victims in District Court, Juvenile Court and Justice Court.

Evaluate cases in the Weber County Attorney's Office and identifies victims. Collects pertinent data into a spread sheet (Excel). Helps maintain the VOCA grant and understand its requirements. Maintains case records in our case management system in accordance with office policies and procedures.

Answers phone calls, emails and text messages of the victims, their families and other witnesses. Engages in crisis intervention management and techniques. Provides information regarding victims' rights and answers questions about the court process.

Sends out victim impact statements to all identified victims. Notifies victims of upcoming court hearings via letter, email, text message or phone call. Provides information and resources of how the court process works and what their rights are in regards to the court process.

Schedules appointments with the deputy county attorney handling their criminal case. Attends meetings with prosecutors and victims.

Attends law and motion calendars as well as, special hearings such as: preliminary hearings, trials, motion hearings and sentencing hearings. Assists in trial prep for all trials which includes scheduling meetings with all witnesses who are subpoenaed to the trial.

Informs the victim of their individual right to speak at sentencing and if requested assists in preparing a victim impact statement prior to sentencing and to be read at sentencing.

Follows up on restitution and helps provide documentation to the court. Contacts victims to help them know what documentation is needed for the court to order restitution.

Establishes and maintains relationships with local law enforcement, mental health facilities, probation departments, court personal, attorneys and other victim advocates.

Works closely with the Utah Office for Victims of Crime to assist with the financial needs of the victims both primary and secondary. Assists in filling out application to be submitted and explains what should be covered. Work closely with the Utah Office for Victims of Crime to make sure they have everything they need to process the application in a timely manner.

Attends committee meetings as assigned, these may include Weber/Morgan DV Coalition, Weber County Victim Advocate Meetings, SART Meetings and others as assigned.

Recruit’s interns from local High School and College to better educate their understanding of the Criminal Justice System. Schedules and maintains assignments.

Works as a team member of the Weber County Attorney's office and assists support staff and attorneys with other assigned duties and functions.

Maintains a professional, positive and ethical work environment.

Other duties as assigned.

Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related Social Science field.

Experience: Associate degree in social science, or related field or equivalent AND seven (7) years of experience in Mental Health, Social Work, or related field. 

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA):

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the criminal justice system, grammar, spelling, punctuation, legal terminology, modern office practices. Working knowledge of court practices and procedures, and grant requirements. Working knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault dynamics, techniques on how to handle stressful situations, and the victim rights act.

Skills: Operating modern office equipment including (but not limited to) a multi-line telephone, scanner, copy machine, operating computer equipment and applicable case management software. 

This position may require the driving of a motor vehicle. Skill in operating a motor vehicle in a safe manner. Ability to insure motor vehicle is operating in a safe manner. Knowledge of Utah motor vehicle rules and regulations.

Abilities: Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment and to react resourcefully under varying conditions, maintain accurate records and strict confidentiality of information and records, follow written and oral instructions, communicate effectively (orally and in writing), establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other employees, other agencies and the general public. Effectively communicate on a one-to-one basis with the public, maintain effective working relations with employees and other departments, officials and the public, ability to maintain accurate records, ability to type and enter data accurately.

YOUR SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have or be able to obtain a valid Utah Driver's License and a good driving record.

Employees driving a personal vehicle while on county business must maintain the minimum vehicle liability insurance as specified in the Utah Code.

Skill in typing at 60 wpm (net).

Due to the nature of this position, the successful candidate must complete and pass a criminal background through BCI and a drug test.

CERTIFICATES: 

(Must maintain or obtain within the first 18 months of employment.)

Successfully complete the 40 hours Utah Victim's Assistance Academy or National Victim's Assistance Academy.

Become certified through the NACP (National Advocates Certification Program), and complete the 30 hours of training required every two years.

Complete any other specialized victim services training, certification as deemed necessary by the Victim/Witness Supervisor, Chief Criminal Attorney and/or County Attorney.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.