Victim Witness Specialist

SALARY RANGE

$22.84 – $24.85/h
WORK ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

As a function of the Waupaca County District Attorney’s Office this position provides services to victim and witnesses in support of their statutory rights as outlined in Chapter 950 of the Wisconsin Statutes to ensure their rights are honored and protected.

This position works synergistically with the Victim Witness Coordinator and under the direct supervision of the District Attorney Office Manager and the District Attorney.

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION

Maintains a case load of the District Attorney Cases that have a listed victim.

Facilitates the involvement and cooperation of victims with the District Attorney’s Office, court system, law enforcement, other county departments and community agencies.

Provides advocacy and liaison services for victims. Informs and explains victims and witnesses of court proceedings and explains legal terminology. Accompanies victims to court upon request.

Informs victims of the VineLink and NOTIS Systems for tracking the whereabouts of incarcerated individuals.

Ensures the protection of the rights of victims and witnesses according to the State Constitution and State Statutes including arranging for and attending consultation with the assigned prosecutor.

Assists prosecutors in arranging for witness appearance at evidentiary proceedings.

Answers questions from witnesses and explains the court process as needed.

Assists the prosecution in gathering information from victim/witness regarding criminal incidents.

With the Victim Witness Coordinator, promotes public awareness and education of the victim/witness program; prepare and provide informational material regarding program services.

Assesses the emotional, physical and financial needs of victims; makes appropriate referrals to community resources; acquaint victims with the Crime Victim Compensation Program.

Requests, collects, and determines restitution amounts and forward amounts to appropriate agency on victim’s behalf. Prepare other court documents as needed.

Prepares Victim Appellate Notification System cards and Parole Eligibility Notification system cards for victims and sends notifications when updates are received from the State.

PERIPHERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve on the Waupaca County SART (Sexual Assault Response Team)/ CCRT (Community Care Response Team).

Attend Training opportunities connected to Victim/Witness responsibilities on at least a biennial basis.

Attend and participate in the activities of the Wisconsin Victim Witness Professionals Association.

Assist in promotion of Victims’ Rights Week.

Work with Waupaca County CAP Services personnel.

Track changes and proposed changes to legislation affecting Victims and Witnesses; report same to District Attorney.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Associate’s degree in criminal justice, paralegal or other related field or relative training.

EXPERIENCE: Knowledge of criminal court procedure and advocacy skills. A combination of education and experience will be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All District Attorney staff have access to sensitive and confidential information and therefore must remain in favorable adjudication status. Employees will be fingerprinted at the time of hire and every five years thereafter. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for state and FBI criminal conviction database queries. Unfavorable adjudication will result in termination from employment.

SPECIAL REQUIRMENTS: Successful passing of a Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) background check.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Communication skills: This is a highly verbal profession. Choosing and using the right words can be critical to a victim’s peace of mind.
Interpersonal skills: A capacity for compassion and empathy is critical.
Problem-solving skills: An analytical mind is needed to weigh and assess the best options for victims in various situations.
Organizational skills: Victim advocates must accurately and meticulously maintain records and make them available to others, sometimes on a moment’s notice.
Math/accounting skills: Must be able to apply restitution law to the records provided by victims to provide summaries to the court.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality standards.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to effectively meet and deal with the public.
Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality.
Ability to maintain professionalism and compassion in emotionally draining proceedings.
Ability to exceed professional standards of ethics and practice as defined in the WVWP Code of Ethics.

https://www.waupacacounty-wi.gov/departments/recruitment.php

Deadline Note: