Crime Victim Liaison

Burnet County; Burnet (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Burnet County is seeking a Crime Victim Liaison to ensure victims and their families receive rights and information under Texas law. The role supports the Victim Assistance Coordinator and works within the County’s criminal justice framework in Burnet County, Texas.

The position requires knowledge of Texas Code Chapter 56, strong communication and interviewing skills, and the ability to travel as needed to assist victims and coordinate with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Formal training in victim assistance or related field is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Inform victims of their rights and procedures under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
• Inform victims about compensation, eligibility, and application processes.
• Facilitate prompt return of victim property held as evidence.
• Provide support to Victim Coordinator in fulfilling duties under Chapter 56.
• Comply with all applicable statutes related to the position.

Skills

Victim assistance knowledge

Communication skills

Interviewing skills

Regulatory interpretation

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Desirable training in victim assistance

Tools

County computer systems

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The position of Crime Victim Liaison performs those statutory duties imposed
upon it by the Code of Criminal Procedure; Chapter 56, Subchapter A, Crime Victims’
Rights, and Subchapter B, Crime Victim’s Compensation.
Subchapter A., Article 56.04 (d), establishes that the primary duties of the Crime
Victim Liaison are to ensure that a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a
deceased victim are afforded the rights granted to victims, guardians, or close relatives
of deceased victims by Subdivisions (4),(6), and (9) of Article 56.02 (a) (4) of the Code of
Criminal Procedure.
These primary duties shall be performed in consultation with the Victim
Assistance Coordinator in the office of the attorney representing the state in the related
criminal cases to ensure compliance with state statutes and enhance effectiveness in
meeting the crime victim assistance standards established by the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice, Victim Services Division.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• 1 (20%) The Crime Victim Liaison will ensure that those victims covered under
  Article 56.02 (a)(4) of the code are afforded the right to be informed, when
  requested, by a peace officer concerning the defendant’s right to bail and the
  procedures involved in criminal investigations; and by the district attorney’s office
  concerning the general procedures in the criminal justice system, including
  general procedures in guilty plea negotiations and arrangements, restitution, and
  the appeals and parole process.
• 2 (20%) The Crime Victim Liaison will ensure that those victims covered under
  Article 56.02 (a)(6) of the code are informed of the right to receive information
  regarding compensation as provided by Subchapter B, including information
  related to the cost that may be compensated under that subchapter and the
  amount of compensation, eligibility for compensation, and the procedures for
  application for compensation under that subchapter, the payment for medical
  examination under Article 56.06 for a victim of sexual assault, and when
  requested, to referral to available social service agencies that may offer
  additional assistance.
• 3 (20%) The Crime Victim Liaison will ensure that those victims covered under
  Article 56.02 (a)(9) of the code are afforded the right to prompt return of any
  property of the victim that is held by a law enforcement agency or the attorney for
  the state as evidence when the property is no longer required for that purpose.
• 4 (20%) The Crime Victim Liaison will ensure that the Victim Coordinator for the
  attorney representing the state receives immediate cooperation and support in
  providing effective assistance to a victim as defined in Chapter 56 of the Code of
  Criminal Procedure.
• 5 (10%) The Crime Victim Liaison will comply with all local, state, and federal
  statutes related to the duties of the position held.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Items 1-9 below will constitute approximately 10% of grant funded activities.

• 1 Regular attendance is required.
• 2 Maintain a valid Texas Operators License
• 3 Must be bondable by county insurance carrier
• 4 Must be able to comply with county employee and Sheriff’s Office policies and
  procedures.
• 5 Compile and maintain all necessary documentation required for grant position
  reporting when required.
• 6 Compliance with state statutes related to records management.
• 7 Ability to testify in court proceedings in an objective and articulate manner.
• 8 Maintain training requirements related to the position held.
• 9 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county
  employees and officials, court personnel, attorneys, and representatives of victim
  assistance/advocacy groups.
• 10 Experienced in making community outreach presentations in various public
  forums to enhance awareness of the services available to crime victims.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Previous formalized training in fields related to victim assistance liaison duties is
desirable.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Working knowledge of Chapter 56 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure as it
relates to crime victim rights and crime victim compensation.
Previous experience in victim’s assistance, victim’s compensation, social service,
criminal justice, or related field is desirable.
High level of maturity and compassion in dealing with crime victims.
Excellent communication, counseling, and interviewing skills.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional
journals, technical procedures, and government regulations relative to the
position of Crime Victim Liaison.
Working knowledge of computers and the ability to learn county computer
programs related to duties.
Excellent organizational skills are desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The position of Crime Victim Liaison will require frequent travel outside of an office
environment in order to provide effective victim’s assistance. The physical demands
described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform
the essential duties of this position. While performing the duties of this position the
employee is frequently required to see, talk, hear, stand, kneel, climb, feel, utilize fingers to handle and arms to reach and carry. The employee must be able to lift up
to fifteen (15) pounds regularly and up to forty (40) pounds occasionally. Specific
vision required for this job includes both near and distance vision.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The position of Crime Victim Liaison will be in constant contact with sensitive
information related to crime victims which demands a high level of confidentiality.
The person that occupies this position must be able to demonstrate trustworthiness
by successfully passing an extensive background investigation prior to being considered for employment.
To fulfill the duties of the Crime Victim Liaison it may be necessary to work irregular duty hours and on weekends to ensure timely completion of related job
responsibilities