Child Justice Coordinator

Responsible for many day to day functions including the daily in-processing of new child abuse allegation, the coordination of police and CYS response to the child abuse allegations, assisting prosecutors with court preparation and presentation. He/she ensures that there is coordination of the investigations by the various agencies, in particular law enforcement and CYS, responsible for investigating child abuse crimes; prepares and compiles the files maintained by the office. The coordinator is often the first person from the DA’s Office the victim and his/her family meet. He/she attends the victim interviews at the CAC and “screens” the cases for the unit; responds to local hospital emergency rooms in cases of severely injured children to assess the situation and report back to the prosecuting attorneys; and coordinates the multidisciplinary review of pending investigations. In preparation for the various court hearings, the coordinator actively assists the prosecuting attorneys with victim/witness interviews. This is an especially important task given the fact the victims are minors and may have been severely traumatized. Additionally, many of the cases involve witnesses who are medical professionals with limited time to spare for court appearances. The coordinator is a key player in coordinating the appearance of witnesses in court.

An employee in this position collaborates with law-enforcement authorities, medical and social-service professionals, and County Prosecutors in investigating evidence/reports of child-abuse.

· Interviews and evaluates principals and prepares detailed written reports thereof; and collaborates with the assigned Prosecutors in electing and prosecuting the charges.

· Collaborates with social service professionals and police departments in identifying and documenting prospective cases of child abuse;

· Receives mandated notices of alleged child abuse;

· Screens for cases which meet the criterion warranting CAC involvement;

· Completes standardized reporting forms and establishes file folder for each referral;

· Collaborates with CYS in interviewing children alleged/suspected to have been criminally abused;

· Evaluates credibility and physical and psychological fitness to testify; furnishes same to assigned Prosecutor;

· Coordinates and attends consequent meetings among social service and law enforcement;

· Schedules forensic (medical) examinations of alleged victims; attends same, as directed;

· Orients and updates victims’ families on process of investigation and prosecution; acts as liaison among principals for duration of active case;

· Schedules and attends dispositional meetings;

· Prepares victims and witnesses for testimony (in conjunction with Victim Witness Coordinator);

· Responds to after-hours calls from LEO and/or hospital;

· Establishes and maintains computerized Somerset County Child-Abuse Database; enters and records process of reported cases;

· Performs related tasks, as necessary

· Graduation from high school or an accredited equivalency program, courses in secretarial, clerical skills, Bus. Admin., English and/or related fields; prior experience in a legal/gov’t office a plus. Windows/ Microsoft Office exp.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $34,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $34,500