Victim Specialist V - 555 W Harrison

Position Details

Job Title: Victim Specialist V

Reports to: Victim Witness Administrative Supervisor

Level: Entry

Salary: $59,267 (This may vary for internal candidates only)

Grade/Step: 15E

Location: 555 W Harrison

Bureau: Administrative Services

Division/Unit: Victim Witness/TAC

Application deadline: February 5, 2025

Working Environment: Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Primary Function:

In compliance with state and national statutes governing victims’ rights, the Victim Specialist will provide victims with services under four broad categories of: Information/Education, Emotional Support, Safety and Concrete Services. Promotes the program, engages in community outreach and assists in the identification of community resources.

Physical Requirements:

Light Work: The position requires the ability to stand or walk frequently, often for extended periods. You may need to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 20 pounds regularly, and occasionally heavier items. The job may also involve a significant amount of walking or standing relative to sedentary roles.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop partnerships/Network with community organizations.
• Speak to community and civic organizations about underserved victim populations and the criminal court system in relation to the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Develop and implement training materials for internal and external partners surrounding underserved populations.
• Serve as a liaison between the victims, witnesses, and other personnel of the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Provide victim services falling under the broad categories of: Information/Education, Emotional Support, Safety, and Concrete Services
• Educate victims of their statutory rights under Illinois law
• Intervene in crisis situations, develop safety plans, and operate in cooperation with allied partners.
• Problem solves with peers, supervisors, Assistant State’s Attorneys, and allied professionals.
• Maintain current information on cases and work daily with supervisors and team members to plan for case actions and potential emergencies.
• Maintain statistics, databases and provide monthly reports regarding activity.
• Communicate program guidelines to CCSAO personnel as well as victims and witnesses.
• Potential travel between locations and in the field for interviews and victim support.
• Attend meetings as needed.
• Work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the unit.
• Interacts regularly with victims and witnesses of crime, many of whom are in high-risk situations.
• Interacts regularly with State’s Attorney’s Office employees.
• Regular access to confidential information.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:

• The candidate must be an empathetic listener with knowledge of the rights of victims as defined by state and national law.

• Must have the ability to multi-task and possess excellent grammar, organizational and communication skills.
• The candidate must be able to work flexible hours.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word applications.
• Assignment to specialty areas such as DV/SA, LGBT/Hate Crimes, and relocation require specialized training in these areas in addition to two years’ experience in related field.
• The candidate must be versed in writing orders of protection and have at least 1yrs working experience with Domestic Violence cases.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant program (social work, counseling or criminal justice) preferred. 5 years experience within the Victim Witness or related program will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.

• Knowledge of CCSAO databases and/or ability to learn is important.
• Bilingual Proficiency (especially Spanish, Polish, Arabic).

Equal Employment Opportunity

At the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO), we champion diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusivity! We are passionately committed to building a team that represents a wealth of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Our strength lies in our diversity, and we actively seek, develop, and cherish talent from all walks of life.

We're proud to say that we stand firmly against discrimination of any kind—whether it's based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. At CCSAO, everyone is welcome.

And, we're not just about saying it—we're about living it! If you’re a qualified individual who requires reasonable accommodation based on religion, disability, or pregnancy, please let us know. At CCSAO, we’re all about empowering our team to shine.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants that are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran may contact the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office coordinators via email at hr.sao@cookcountysao.org and arrange for an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.

Benefits

At Cook County, we believe in investing in you, our valued employee. We understand that your well-being directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and work-life balance. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:

Choose from a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to best suit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 13 paid holidays. As a public service employer, our employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referral services to help you navigate life's challenges. And of course, a pension plan through Cook County.

Follow this link to the Cook County Benefits and this link to Cook County Pension Fund if you want to learn more about our amazing benefit coverage. The CCSAO does not provide relocation assistance.

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Salary : $59,267