What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim/Witness Specialist position at The State of Kansas?
Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy
Job Posting closes: Open Until Filled; Screening begins immediately and continues until filled.
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
FLSA: Nonexempt
Locations: Topeka, Kansas (Shawnee County)
Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Employment Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
- Sick & Vacation leave
- Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
- Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
- Fitness Centers in select locations
- Employee discounts with the STAR Program
- Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
The Office of the Kansas Attorney General (OAG) is accepting applications to fill a Victim/Witness Specialist position in our Criminal division to provide system-based advocacy to reviewed and accepted cases. Additionally, this position will provide services to victims of crime and constituents who contact our office regarding their victim rights needs in Kansas.
Under the supervision of the Victim Rights Coordination Director, the individual selected to fill this position will perform duties to include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provide information regarding the criminal justice process and explain their rights as a victim of crime.
- Provide system-based advocacy, support, information, and guidance to victims and witnesses of crime by phone, face-to-face, or email.
- Coordinate and accompany victim/witness activities, including notifying victims or their family members of court activities and meetings.
- Provide referral and coordinate with community resources for victim support.
- Provide assistance for preparation, filing and follow-up of victim compensation applications.
- Notify and facilitate a victim’s right to be heard through a victim impact statement.
- Provide advocacy for those who contact the victim rights hotline. The primary function of this role will be to provide compassionate service, resource and referral information, and educational information about victims’ rights in Kansas. Additionally, these contacts may require acting as a liaison and advocate on behalf of the constituent with other agencies and professionals in criminal justice, child welfare, social services, or other systems.
- Complete documentation, reports, and data entry as required to track contacts, services, and outcomes.
Additional duties may be added at any time. This announcement does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed. We would expect you to follow other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties as requested.
Travel:
- The responsibilities of this position will require statewide travel and occasional evening hours.
Education
- Graduate of an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice or a related field.
- Substantial relevant work experience may be substituted for education, as deemed by the Attorney General to be sufficient qualification to perform the assigned work.
Licensing & Certification
- A valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State
Minimum Qualifications
- Experience in advocacy for victims of crime
- Familiarity with law enforcement and court procedures and processes
- Knowledge/understanding about the dynamics of victimization
- Strong proficiency in MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat
Preferred Qualifications
- At least two (2) years of experience working with victims of violent crime
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system
- Familiarity with an electronic case management system
Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements
- As a condition of employment, candidate(s) are subject to a pre-employment screening process to include a fingerprint and name-based criminal history records check and reference/background check of past and present employers. The pre-employment screening process will be waived for current OAG personnel who have previously completed the screening requirements.
- In this position, you would be authorized access to private information to the extent necessary to perform the assigned duties. Employees of the OAG are required to protect against unauthorized access to such information, ensure the security and privacy of such information, and disclose any anticipated threats or hazards to such information. Employees must be cautious not to release this information to the public or other individuals, including but not limited to OAG employees who have not been authorized or who do not have a legitimate organizational, departmental, or business need to know. Any questions regarding releasing such information to another person should be directed to the employee’s supervisor.
Recruiter Contact Information
- Name: Jude Overton
- Email: careers@ag.ks.gov
- Phone: (785) 296-3666
Job Application Process
First Sign in or register as a New User.
Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
Required Documents for this Application to be Complete
How to Claim Veterans Preference
How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference
PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Office of the Kansas Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize and value the uniqueness of each individual person. We believe the best workplaces bring together employees with diverse skill sets, backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints to achieve common goals. We see this as the best way to realize our Office’s mission. We work to ensure all employees are treated fairly and have equal opportunity. We prohibit and strongly condemn discrimination on any basis protected by law. We strive to create and to cultivate a workplace environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect as a valued member of our team.
Salary : $22 - $24
