Victim-Witness Paralegal/Advocate

MUST APPLY ONLINE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE: HTTPS://WWW.CO.CHELAN.WA.US/HUMAN-RESOURCES/JOBS

Application Deadline: April 18, 2025

Job Location

County of Chelan Prosecuting Attorney 401 Washington Street Wenatchee, WA 98801

Description

Salary: PW07 Steps 2-4 $4,296.00- $4,692.74 Longevity Steps 5-8 $ 4,906.12- $5,612.41

Benefit Package: Includes paid vacation and sick leave accrued monthly, 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year, medical and dental insurance coverage, other supplemental insurances and deferred compensation packages available at employee expense, monthly County VEBA contributions (health savings account for employees), Washington PERS retirement system.

SUMMARY

The Victim-Witness Paralegal/Advocate initiates and maintains contact with victims of crimes handled by the Chelan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office throughout the progression of the case through the criminal justice system. This position serves as the liaison between prosecutors and victims and/or witnesses, and provides litigation support to prosecutors for trials. This position contacts and counsels victims of crimes, provides guidance to them by informing them about criminal justice proceedings, provides information about victim rights as prescribed by Washington State law, and provides guidance and referrals as appropriate. This position is full-time, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm daily, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following examples of duties and responsibilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position, but are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list or to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

• Responsible for accurately preparing and maintaining electronic case files and records within office case management system. Includes extensive entry and updating of case-specific victim/witness data and contact information, and preserving written and electronic correspondence with victims/witnesses. Reviews case files to assure timely action or review by prosecutors.
• Collects and maintains data regarding direct services or outreach provided to victims for inclusion in reports submitted by office relative to the provisions of state and federal grant funding received by the Chelan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for providing victim advocacy services.
• Prepares and processes subpoenas for victims/witnesses involved in all Superior Court, District Court, and Juvenile Count trials or hearings, and the State’s list of witnesses as directed by prosecutor. Ensures subpoenas are sent via certified mail to subpoenaed parties, and are electronically transmitted to the sheriff’s office for personal service.
• Responsible for coordinating the timing of appearance of victims and witnesses for in-court testimony and pretrial preparations with the prosecutor. Timely notification to victims and witnesses when their testimony is no longer required for trial or hearing.
• Handles and reviews complex, sensitive, and confidential information such as defendant criminal history, mental health evaluations, pre-sentencing investigation reports, crime scene photos and video (which may be of a graphic nature), 911 phone calls, autopsy reports, and incarceration information.
• Reviews charging documents and police reports. Responsible for maintaining frequent contact with victims, witnesses, medical personnel, and law enforcement personnel to obtain or provide information on cases.
• Notifies victims in writing and/or by verbal and electronic communication of case filing, victim rights and court hearings, and keeps victims timely updated on progress of case through criminal justice process.
• Assists victims with preparing and filing Victim Impact Statements, and in applying for Crime Victims Compensation with the State of Washington. Makes appropriate referrals of victims to community services as necessary.
• Responds to emotional and psychological demands of victims and/or their families in navigating the court process. Attends court hearings with victims and their families. Serves as a buffer to prevent physical and/or verbal interactions between victims and their families and defendants and their families before, during, and after courtroom proceedings.
• Uses a variety of computer software applications, including:
• Microsoft Word and Outlook
• Prosecutor by Karpel (prosecutor case management system)
• Spillman (law enforcement records)
• Judicial Information System (JIS)
• Judicial Access Browsing System (JABS)
• OnBase (courts electronic document management system)
• Liquid Files (secure file transfer protocol system)
• Other applications and websites as needed
• Prepares, files with the court, and distributes restitution reports and restitution orders to necessary parties.
• Accesses information from multiple local, state, and federal confidential criminal justice databases.
• Responsible for scheduling, coordinating, and attending victim and witness interviews involving prosecutor, law enforcement, defense attorneys, and defense investigators.
• Provides support services to prosecutor; prepares and helps present evidence and exhibits at the time of trial through the use of technology.
• Performs a wide range of other general office clerical or secretarial tasks including: answering phones, screening and routing calls, taking messages, greeting visitors, copying, faxing, scanning, e-filing, and opening/routing mail to appropriate staff. Assists in training of new or temporary staff.
• Attends and participates in Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA) trainings and seminars to elevate skills and stay up-to-date with applicable changes in law, procedures, and victim services
• Must be reliable and punctual in reporting for scheduled work. Daily attendance is an essential function of the job.
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Victim-Witness Coordinator.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities

QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Minimum Requirements

• Associates of Arts and Sciences degree or a high school diploma and two (2) years of experience with legal office procedures, professional office, or familiarity with victim issues. Related education beyond high school or other work experience and training may be substituted for experience requirements.
• Must successfully pass a background check investigation.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Must pass Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) access training.
• English language proficiency, both oral and written.
• Additional consideration given if applicant can read, write, and speak Spanish fluently.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Must be able to follow instructions, prioritize work, and accurately complete multiple tasks in a busy office environment with frequent deadline pressures.
• Must be able to work unsupervised, stay on task, and complete assigned caseload work in timely manner.
• Must use logic, common sense, and pay attention to detail.
• Essential to exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential information and materials handled and processed relating to cases and department’s business.
• Ability to cope with reading and hearing about violent, disturbing, and emotionally unsettling criminal acts.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal competence in protocols of contacts with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, crime victims and witnesses, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and other county staff. Must be courteous, polite, a team player, and strive to set a positive example.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and keyboarding skills.
• Effectively use and operate standard office equipment, computers, software programs, and databases, and prosecutor’s case management system.
• Ability to learn and use new software programs as necessary.
• Communicate effectively and clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to the public and other employees of the organization.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to proficiently read and write English. Ability to read and comprehend legal documents and instruments, correspondence, and memos. Ability to use good customer service and telephone skills in stressful situations.

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.

Work involves tasks that may require routine ergonomic practices, including computer keyboarding skills and writing.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Talk, hear, and see.
• Tolerate prolonged computer-related exposure.
• Ability to sit/stand at a workstation for long periods of time.
• Walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Have a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and ability to grip with hands and fingers.
• Reach upward and/or outward using arms and hands.
• Occasionally lift and/or move boxes or other materials up to 30 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in a fast-paced office setting with frequent interruptions and the need to deal with a widely diverse population.
• Noise level is usually moderate.
• May view and/or read sensitive, explicit, and graphic material.
• Regularly exposed to individuals exhibiting antisocial behavior, mentally unstable individuals, those grieving the loss of a loved one, or those experiencing trauma from domestic violence or other abuse.
• Frequent exposure to and contact with victims and/or family members of traumatic crime.
• Exposure to vicarious trauma is high.
• Able to work in the midst of an antagonistic work environment due to the subject matter and urgency of demands.
• May require travel for training purposes.
• Need to observe and abide by all county and departmental policies, goals, and objectives.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $4,296.00 - $5,612.41 per month

Benefits:

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

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $4,296 - $4,693