Victim/Witness Counselor I (SR-20)

Performs a variety of continuing counseling services, provides information, counsel, advice and assistance to victims and / or witnesses of criminal acts; acts as liaison between the victims and / or witnesses and the criminal justice system agencies; and performs other related duties as required.Distinguishing Characteristics : These classes are distinguished by their responsibility for independently providing comprehensive counseling to victims and / or witnesses of criminal acts and to coordinate activities with other public and private agencies providing services.Level I : This level is characterized by its responsibility for providing professional counseling services to victims and / or witnesses of criminal acts which generally involve the handling of moderately difficult cases. The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical assignment for the position and are consistent with the class concept.Acts as liaison between the victims and / or witnesses and the criminal justice system agencies;Contacts victims and / or witnesses to inform them of their rights and services available through the State Criminal Injuries Compensation Commission and other criminal justice system agencies;Counsels the victims and / or witnesses as to their role in the prosecution and the role of the prosecutor;Arranges witnesses' schedules and testimony times;Transports witnesses from the airport and court to their accommodations;Acts as liaison between the prosecutor and the victims and / or witnesses;Works with community organizations to establish possible groups to aid victims;Establishes trust funds financed by the offenders, and solicits other sources of funds to service the victims;Assists in the speedy return of property to the victims;Counsels victims who have been traumatized by their experience;Collects and compiles information concerning the cases;Prepares correspondence;Prepares case records, reports and other documents;Performs other related duties as required.Training and Experience : (1) A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or a related field and for : Level I : two years of professional counseling experience in a program which provided social services, one year of which involved crisis counseling.License Requirement : Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license (Type 3).Knowledge of : Laws, rules and regulations relating to the State Criminal Injuries Compensation Commission; public and private community resources providing services and / or benefits relating to criminal justice programs; crisis counseling and social work techniques and methods; court procedures and the criminal justice system.Ability to : Collect, analyze, and evaluate facts; diagnose social and emotional problems and make sound decisions; utilize a wide variety of varying backgrounds; correctly apply the rules and regulations and other provisions of the law to the specific problem; understand and interpret a variety of benefits, services and rights; speak and write clearly; develop and maintain effective working relationship with victims and / or witnesses, public and private agency representatives.Health and Physical Condition : Persons seeking appointment to positions in these classes must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties.Physical Effort Grouping : LightThis is an amendment to the minimum qualification specification for the class, Victim / Witness Counselor I, approved October 21, 1987, effective December 12, 2014.APPROVED : March 5, 2015#J-18808-Ljbffr