Victim Witness Coordinator – District Attorney’s Office

DEPARTMENT:                DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE                                             

JOB TITLE:                         VICTIM/WITNESS COORDINATOR                         

REPORTS TO:                   District Attorney                           

LOCATION:                       District Attorney’s Office                          

TERMS:                             Full-Time Non-Exempt                                            

HOURS:                             37 ½ Weekly as per Grant

RATE: $20.90 per hour (GRANT FUNDED POSITION)

About the County:        

The government of Snyder County exists in order to assist, either directly or indirectly, all citizens of the County.  All County personnel are expected to be dedicated to helping the public and to showing respect to all individuals served.  The administration of all County Government functions is to be done professionally and without prejudice or bias.

General Definition:  Carry out programs to protect the rights of victims and witnesses of crime, program development, public education, and to provide support through the criminal juvenile justice system. Work is distinguished by the nature of contacts and often involves resolution of stressful situations. In addition, this position performs program management functions and budget development.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate services to victim by identifying violent crimes through referrals from District Attorney’s, law enforcement agencies, District Justices and general public.
• Initiate contact with victims by telephone, mail, or in person by attending proceedings at which victims or witnesses are present and provide them with information on their victim rights and follow up on responses.
• Discuss with victims what they would like the outcome of the case to be and keep them informed of plea offers and negotiations as well as give them the opportunity to offer prior comment.
• Explain criminal and juvenile justice procedures, make referrals to service agencies, and speak to representatives of other services agencies involved with offenders to assist victims and witnesses.
• Notify victims of their rights and assist with pursuit of victim’s rights.
• Assist with intimidation protection; intercede for victim/witness with employer/creditor.
• Assist with the following:
• (a) Victim impact statements – when requested, help victims in filling out their victim Impact Statement Form or assist them with creating their own statement.
• (b) Restitution Requests – provide victims with a Restitution Request Form and submit a memo with restitution request to the Clerk of Courts to be ordered at the time of sentencing. Check the status of payments with Clerk of Courts when victim calls out about not receiving payments.
• (c) VCAP – assist victims in seeking compensation from VCAP. Send victims an application when eligible and provide them with the option of returning it directly to Victim Witness to file in the DAVE system on the victim’s behalf or have them send it directly to VCAP.
• (d) Return of Property- when a victim’s property is in evidence, coordinate with the victim and law enforcement to set up a time for the property to be returned.
• Help prepare adult and child victims and witnesses for participation in trial proceedings, and provide accompaniment to court hearings.
• Court Accompaniment- preliminary hearings for DV, SA, stalking victims, and any personal injury crimes as well as accompany victims both adult and juvenile to hearings in common pleas court as well as trials of other crimes related to the office of the victim/witness coordinator.
• Provide case status and updates to victims of crime.
• Provides victims notification of the disposition of the case either in writing or by phone and continue to provide notification of post sentencing motions or hearings and review hearings for juvenile cases.
• Make victims aware of both SAVIN and OVA and submit Victim information to OVA for notifications regarding release, transfer, escape, etc. of state inmates.
• Mediate between victims and law enforcement for the return of property
• Participate in Sexual Assault Review Team (SART) to include the following:
• Assist SART team members in developing policies, procedures and protocol to ensure victim’s rights are included
• Assist SART trainings as necessary for continual development
• Attend SART meetings to represent victim’s rights
• Advocacy – Juvenile and Adult
• Initial contact (Adult) – prior to preliminary hearings-telephone contact and often meet prior to preliminary hearing to discuss victim rights
• Initial contact (Juvenile) – contact victims when a juvenile complaint is filed to discuss the juvenile justice court process and victim rights
• Court Accompaniment (Adult) – preliminary hearings for DV, SA and stalking victims, and accompany victims to hearings in common pleas court as well as trials in other crimes related to the office of victim/witness coordinator.
• Accompaniment to Children’s Advocacy Center upon request
• Maintain confidentiality within appropriate guidelines
• Case Status – update with current case status information
• Initial Crime Victim/Witness contact letters
• Victim Impact Statements
• Guilty Plea – letters/telephone calls
• Sentencing – letters/telephone calls
• Adjudication/Disposition – letters/telephone calls
• Appeal updates
• Continuances
• Hearings
• Pretrial Developments
• Any changes in the case
• Collaboration with Community Agencies within the county that provide services to victims of crime
• Restitution Memos
• Victim compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) – Send information and help with form completion and submitting claims in DAVE
• County Correctional Facility Release Notifications – OVA Referral
• Grant writing – RASA and VOJO
• Quarterly Fiscal Reports – PCCD
• Quarterly Program Reports – PCCD
• Accounting Responsibilities within the Victim/Witness Grant budget
• Crisis Intervention
• Jury Selection – attend to represent and contact victims when a plea/sentence takes place instead of Jury Selection
• Guilty pleas, Sentencing – Courtroom
• PFA’s – refer to outside agencies
• PFA Violations – initial contact, prior comment, case notifications
• Supportive Counseling – referrals both victim/witness services, STOP and SART referrals
• Interact with PSP and local PD regarding STOP and SART grant policies and procedures, case activity, police reports and victim/witness services
• Inform Victims of Transfer hearings
• Schedule appointments with victims/witnesses for pre-trial prep and courtroom orientation
• Book hotels for victim/witnesses when out of town for hearings/trials
• Complete Witness Bill of Cost form after trials-gathering mileage, hotel fees, meals, etc.
• Order and pick up lunch on trial days for victims/witness to avoid contact with offender or others in the community during trial, including media (not provided with RASA/VOJO funds)
• Monitor victim/witness intimidation
• Set up meetings for District Attorney and victims/witnesses and attend those meetings for case awareness and advocacy
• File and pull files as needed
• Use and familiarize PMS – (DA Computer system)
• Answer and return numerous telephone calls
• Crisis Management at trials-informing victims/witnesses of trial proceedings and shuffle them to and from the courtroom to avoid defendant/victim confrontations, etc.
• Maintain and familiarize oneself with PCCD Standards and Procedures Manual for State Victim/Witness Assistance Programs
• Check email routinely for E-GRANT alerts regarding upcoming grants available as well as maintain present grants
• Annual Evaluation of the Program with the District Attorney to evaluate any changes and new developments occurring through the year
• CJAB – attend meetings
• PA SAVIN
• Victim/Witness and public awareness
• Drug Court and DUI Court as needed for victim input

Requirements:

• Thorough knowledge of criminal and juvenile justice systems
• Thorough knowledge of victim/witness rights and county programs
• Knowledge of the basic principles of victim assistance
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to identify victims/witnesses needs and make referrals
• To effectively communicate with people and develop working relationships with various service providers
• Complete RASA and VOJO orientation/trainings
• Participate as a member of the Snyder County Sexual Assault Team (SART)
• Knowledge of all policies and procedures of the Snyder County SART

Minimum Training and Experience:

• Two years of college experience is preferred or the equivalent of a Business Manager. Experience in Crime Victim Centers, Domestic Violence Shelters, Rape Crises Centers, etc. is preferred.