Victim Services Coordinator

Closing Date: 10/1/24

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

Manage/administer all aspects of the Victim Services Program, including, but not limited to, grant writing, grant reporting, and crime victim services program budgeting. Remain up-to-date on changing laws relating to victim rights. Provide direct service to victims of crimes as defined by the MN Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs Grant. Recruit, train and supervise interns and volunteers to work in the Victim Services Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Victim Assistance

• Oversee direct services to victims such as providing direct advocacy services, making referrals, attending hearings and trials, acting as liaison between victim and professional personnel inside and outside of the judicial system, and arranging for victim lodging, transportation or child care as needed.
• Provide comprehensive services to crime victims through needs assessment, referrals, explanations, and assistance in filing for reparation and restitution.
• Assist crime victims with filing harassment/restraining orders, and crime victim’s rights. Serve as liaison between victims and court system.
• Investigate and resolve complaints concerning victim rights violations.
• Participate in Level 3 Community Notifications with law enforcement and probation.

Program Administration

• Develop, implement and maintain a program plan for the Victim Services Program by evaluating needs, analyzing information, maintaining records and statistics and setting priorities in order to make recommendations concerning staffing and other program expenditures.
• Create and manage the budget for the Victim Services Program.
• Participate in establishing and implementing office goals and policies relating to victim issues, such as charging policies, plea negotiation policies and case processing issues, to insure that victims’ rights are met.
• Monitor victim population by gathering, evaluating and disseminating data and statistics regarding crime victims in Carlton County in order to develop and recommend program changes and proposals for changes in legislation.
• Write annual Office of Justice Programs grant. Oversee quarterly, mid-year, annual, and statistical reporting on program activity.
• Maintain liaison with other county departments, criminal justice professionals and outside agencies to develop a network of victim services.

Education and Training

• Perform community education and training sessions regarding victim’s rights; train law enforcement, attorneys, court system, probation, social workers and other victim services providers on victim’s rights.
• Communicate with general public by speaking to media, individual citizens or groups. Respond to questions and complaints from the public to facilitate understanding of victim’s rights and program goals.
• Conduct and coordinate workshops and training sessions for staff, community agencies, schools, law enforcement, prosecution, medical and social work personnel concerning the needs and proper handling of victims.

Advocacy

• Represent Carlton County Attorney’s Office concerning victim issues at meetings with other criminal justice agencies, county committees, statewide committees, and community groups.
• Identify issues relating to victim’s rights. Initiate meetings with other agencies to encourage organizational modifications or to resolve issues in order to meet the requirements of the Victims’ Rights Act.
• Monitor legislative process; communicate any issues with proposed legislation, along with suggested solutions, to legislative liaisons. Communicate legislative changes to county staff and others responsible for meeting the rights of victims.
• Provide legislative input and testimony related to criminal justice process and victim issues.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Three years college or vocational training in criminal justice or equivalent.
• One year full time work experience in law enforcement or victim’s services.
• Education and experience beyond high school to total four years.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.

Training Required:

• Complete Victim Assistance Academy within two years of employment.

Certificates/Licenses Required:

• Completion certificate from the Victim Assistance Academy. Must hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Required at Entry:

• Strong knowledge of standard principles, methods and techniques surrounding victim rights and advocacy.
• Strong knowledge of the criminal justice system, legal principles and practices.
• Strong knowledge of victim rights legislation.
• Knowledge of available financial resources, social services and other community resources.
• Knowledge of the State Criminal Code, Sentencing Guidelines and Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Knowledge of local law enforcement procedures.
• Skill in interviewing crime victims.
• Skill at communicating effectively both orally and in writing to all backgrounds and educational levels, including to individual victims and their families as well as the media, people in the legal profession, law enforcement profession, etc.
• Detail orientation and organization skills to prepare a variety of reports, including mathematical and analytical skills to perform statistical analysis of victim-related areas.
• High level of verbal skills and experience creating and conducting presentations to small and large groups inside and outside the county.
• Strong writing skills to create and maintain reporting documentation and funding reports at a professional level.
• Ability to evaluate programs or analyze issues and then develop recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with individual victims, families, attorneys, correctional and law enforcement personnel, varied county departments and officials, the general public, media, governmental agencies, social service organizations, advocacy organizations, etc.
• Ability to plan and organize complex projects.
• Ability to coordinate committees and task forces inside and outside of the county.
• Ability to provide services to individuals of a variety of ages, and those from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to operate a personal computer utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle at short notice.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person