Crime Response Specialist

The Dane County District Attorney's Office in Madison, WI has a current vacancy for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Crime Response Specialist.

The Eligibility List created from this posting may be used for future vacancies within the next six (6) months.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customers’ needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
 
DEFINITION

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Victim Witness Services – Crime Response Program and the direction of the Director of the Victim Witness Unit, incumbents provide crisis response to victims and witnesses of violent, threatening or trauma-inducing crime, their families in the early stages of the criminal investigation. Critical services will be offered regardless of arrest or prosecution status. Respond to the emotional, physical (including safety) and practical needs of the traumatized victim/witness in the immediate aftermath of crime. The overall goal of the Crime Response Program is to reach beyond mandated services to further empower crime victims, humanize the system and gain victim/witness cooperation by providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive, equitable and compassionate services to those who have experienced trauma as the result of crime.

Serve both in the office and field as trauma responder. Create and maintain after hours call schedule. Serve as point person to field trauma responders about outcomes and necessary follow up. Serve as back up to the Deputy Director of Victim Witness Services – Crime Response to questions/concerns of responders in the field. Provide emergency back-up in the field. Review police reports and attend law enforcement briefings to assess the need for trauma services to crime victims, their families and witnesses of crime in the immediate aftermath of incidents of violent or threatening crime or in the early stages of the investigation. Contact those identified through reports with an offer of service to include: defusing, emotional support and stabilization, mobilization of personal resources, explanation of trauma symptoms and coping techniques as well as information about their victim rights and how to exercise those rights. Provide ongoing case status updates, information and referral, and follow-up. Advocate on behalf of victim/witness/family members and survivors of homicide with various parties including: employers; educational institutions; landlords; allied service providers and the criminal justice system (CJS). Assist with emergent needs for safety, food, shelter (emergency and short-term temporary), financial assistance, crime scene clean-up, pet welfare and privacy. Provide court support at the initial appearance in cases where the suspect is arrested and charged by the District Attorney’s Office. Coordinate service with assigned victim witness staff to make the transition between crisis and longer-term criminal justice support as seamless as possible. Work in concert with the assigned Victim Witness Case Manager to ensure the victim understands and is afforded an opportunity for meaningful participation in the CJS. Maintain detailed information/data regarding service provision in the protect system. Assist in the completion of various reports required for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) federal grant funding.

Education, Training and Experience:

Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, or a closely related field. Individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree must also possess at least two (2) years of professional experience working with crime victims. OR Individuals with a Master’s Degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, or a closely related field must also possess at least six (6) months of professional experience working with crime victims.

Special Requirements: 

Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Must be able to work irregular hours, beyond 40 hours per week if needed. Time demands are constant.

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check, which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions:

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.). 
2. Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job. 

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements: 

Ability to respond in the field on short notice. Must be highly adaptable and confident to the presenting circumstances and the intense emotions of those impacted. The field environment may be very fluid and chaotic requiring the ability to center oneself quickly and employ immediate problem-solving skills. The office environment is a highly collaborative, high energy and fast paced law office employing about 100 professional employees. Ability to work in an environment that utilizes a facility dog. Ability to use hand and wrist motions; see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices; sit at a desk or in court for long periods; and physically navigate to a number of courts and court floors. In both environments, the ability to vigorously advocate even in the face of pushback and/or apathy.

Victim centered, trauma informed and respectful of cultural diversity. Knowledge and skill in advocacy techniques, and service coordination. Ability to quickly and effectively problem solve in highly stressful situations. An appreciation of multi-disciplinary teaming in the interest of crime victims, witnesses and families. An understanding of the workings of the CJS. Ability to endure sensitive, tragic and sometimes violent and graphic case details. Ability to work with trauma and grief. Ability to work with sensitive crimes including, homicide, serious injury, violent assaults, child sexual assault and abuse. A commitment to mass violence preparedness. Ability to work outside the parameters of a traditional work week when crisis response work is needed. Ability to separate personal trauma from work performance. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to maintain accurate records and effectively communicate with others orally and in writing. Extensive knowledge of resource and referral in areas including: mental health, medical, estate issues, grief resources, housing, energy assistance, counseling and/or other therapeutic interventions, crime victim compensation, privacy and protection from public or media intrusion.  Must have the ability to separate personal trauma from professional duties.