Victim/Witness Service Provider

An Equal Opportunity Employer

This position is responsible for providing information, referral and support to citizens and law enforcement officials who have been victims or witnesses of crimes committed in Walworth County pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 950 and 1997 Wisconsin Act 181.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Other duties may be assigned.

Provide information, referrals for services and support to citizens and law enforcement officials who have been victims or witnesses of crimes committed in Walworth County in compliance with Chapter 950, 1997 Wisconsin Act 181, Marsy’s Law, and as criminal court processes and procedures;  inform victims of their rights and explain the court process;  provide support, guidance and referral throughout the court process to develop rapport and facilitate cooperation. 

Assist victims and witnesses with questions and concerns about possible crimes prior to any case filing.   

Schedule and attend appointments with victims;  memorialize meetings in case management system (PROTECT).

Attend court hearings with victims to assist them in exercising their rights to speak at hearings in which their rights are implicated, in compliance with Marsy’s Law.

Assist victims with restitution questions;  research and discuss issues with claim qualifications with prosecutors;  file restitution requests with the Court;  assist prosecutors in preparation of restitution hearings;  document and file payments made by Crime Victim Compensation.

Review and file victim impact statements.

Advocate on behalf of the victims and witnesses;  inform prosecutors of victim’s requests, including requests for speedy disposition .

Refer victims to appropriate agencies for financial, housing, medical or therapeutic needs;  maintain a close relationship with New Beginnings,  the Walworth County Alliance for Children and the Department of Health and Human Services to assist with mutual clients/victims.

Ensure victim information is accurately entered in the case management system (PROTECT);  assist prosecutors and county law enforcement agencies with victim and witness location;  update current contact information for victims and witnesses as necessary.

Assist in the timely return of property held as evidence to victims of crime.

Coordinate protection of victims and witnesses through police agencies, witness protection and other agencies; refer victims to SAFE AT HOME when safety is a concern.

Assist prosecutors with trial preparation by coordinating the testimony of victims and witnesses during trial;  schedule interpreters as needed for court hearings and/or meetings. 

Arrange transportation and hotel accommodations for victims and witnesses attendance in court;   notify all witnesses of cancelled trials in a timely fashion;  provide employer and/or medical intercession on behalf of victims and witnesses.

Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team (M-Team) meetings as victim/witness representative to determine prosecution status and the need for services of victims and their families for both charged and uncharged cases;  request and schedule meetings on behalf of the District Attorney’s office.

Attend Core Team meetings for Special Bulletin Notices (release of sex offenders);   locate and contact victims for notices of release.

Cooperate with the Crime Victim Resource Center, the Crime Victim’s Complaint Board, and the District Attorney’s office, in formal or informal inquiries regarding victim’s rights compliance.

Actively recruit and interview new speakers for the Victim Impact Panel;  contact and arrange speakers when needed;   attend Victim Impact Panels when necessary.

Comply with victim’s rights for Child Sexual Assault Material cases (formerly known as Child Pornography);  work with law enforcement regarding child identification;  document CSAM series names, country of origin, point of contact and attorney representation;  contact DOJ for any possible victim impact statements on file.

Participate in any training necessary to improve performance and efficiency.

Other duties as assigned.

Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school plus two additional years of formal preparation, and two to three years of relevant prior experience.  Proven experience in ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals as well as ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.  Proven experience in legal terminology.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to monitor and maintain confidentiality.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to balance the demands of varying workload responsibilities and deadlines.

Knowledge of criminal law, legal terminology, court procedures and the criminal justice system.  

Ability to communicate effectively with the public and employees on matters requiring discretion and knowledge in a courteous and professional manner.

Special Requirement

As a post-offer pre-employment condition, a criminal background check conducted by the State Department of Justice (DOJ) including FBI fingerprinting must be successfully completed and passed.  Walworth County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31-111.395 Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record, however, Walworth County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history. Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.  Cost of the background check and fingerprinting will be covered by Walworth County.

Interactions and Communications

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise.  Must have excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal and communication skills.  Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, concisely and tactfully.  Must have the ability to exercise judgment and diplomacy.  Must maintain a high level of confidentiality, discretion and integrity.   

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are within general procedures and protocols; supervision is available as required or requested.  These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice.

Tools & Equipment Used

Telephone Personal Computer/Printer

Calculator Copy Machine

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 usually moderate.

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 regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)  Employees of the District Attorney’s Office are expected to respect the public’s privacy and provide confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI).   HIPAA, the first comprehensive Federal protection for the privacy of personal health information was passed by Congress in 1996 and implemented in April 2003.

District Attorney employees will have access to all information that is needed to perform their job, but they shall not have, or seek to gain, access to PHI that is not necessary to perform their job.

Every District Attorney employee, even one who does not use protected health information in their work duties, is obligated under the provisions of HIPAA.  All District Attorney employees must protect the public’s privacy and respond to situations that may put the public’s privacy in jeopardy.

NEPOTISM OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMPLIANCE  A person may not be offered or hold this position if the employment would result in that person being a supervisor or subordinate to an immediate family member. "Immediate family" includes the employee's spouse, brother, sister, parents, children, stepchildren, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and any other member of the employee's household.

A person may not be offered this position if employment would create either an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.