VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR - Criminal District Attorney

Tarrant County; Texas; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarrant County is seeking a Victim Assistance Coordinator to deliver support to crime victims, guiding them through the justice process and linking to social services. You will be the first contact and maintain ongoing communication with victims as cases progress.

You will work with prosecutors and investigators, provide referrals, and assist in safety planning, rights, and compensation processes. Strong communication and empathy are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Degree in social work, criminal justice, sociology, or related field preferred.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Two years’ experience working with victims in social services or related field.
• Experience in the criminal justice field preferred.
• Social work licensure or related licensure preferred.
• Knowledge of criminal justice system processes.
• Empathetic to victims and families; serve within criminal justice context.
• Able to handle a high stress environment with coping skills.
• High moral and ethical standards.
• Teamwork in interdisciplinary settings.
• Ability to make independent, sound decisions per unit policies.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English or Vietnamese/English) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the first contact for victims, misdemeanor and felony, of violent and property crimes.
• Maintains contact with victims throughout the complex criminal justice process.
• Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to assist victims.
• Keeps victims informed of case status by mail and phone contact; provides emotional support.
• Assists victims in obtaining rights and benefits; assists with Victim Impact Statement and Crime Victim Compensation.
• Provides translation services to non-English speaking victims and witnesses as requested.
• Documents contact with victims in prosecutor files as appropriate.
• Assists prosecutors and investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses; coordinates appointments and trial appearances.
• Provides follow-up on special requests from prosecutors and investigators for referrals.
• Records and maintains data on activities and reports to the Director.
• Accompanies victims to court proceedings and meetings; explains court processes.
• Networks with community service providers; participates in victims' issues meetings.
• May train and supervise interns and volunteers; integrates them for learning.
• Provides crisis counseling as necessary and makes referrals for longer-term counseling.
• Interviews victims to assess needs and makes referrals.
• Engages victims in safety planning and ensures their safety.
• Accompanies prosecutors/investigators on home visits to assess disabled victims.
• Provides training on victim rights.
• Provides services for witnesses as requested by investigators and prosecutors.
• May be called to testify.

Skills

Empathy

High stress tolerance

Writing skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Degree in social work / criminal justice / sociology or related field preferred

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Summary

The Victim Assistance Coordinator delivers a system of support to crime victims through notification and information about the criminal justice processes and makes referrals to other social services agencies. Serves as the first contact victims have with the Criminal District Attorney's Office and remains in constant contact with the victim throughout the case. Provides assistance to all victims and witnesses of crime in assigned caseload.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serves as the first contact for victims, misdemeanor and felony, of violent crime and property crimes filed and accepted through the Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Maintains contact with victims throughout the complex criminal justice process. Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to assist victims.
• Keeps victims informed of the status of their case by mail and phone contact. Provides emotional support by allowing victims to express their frustrations, anger, guilt, and/or fear and responding appropriately to their feelings. Independently determines course of action in responding to victims and or families.
• Assists victims in achieving, to the practical extent possible all the provisions set out in the Rights of Crime Victims, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, specific to their situation. Advocates for victims, when necessary, in ensuring that they receive assistance and benefits for which they may be eligible. Assists in obtaining information and in the completion of the Victim Impact Statement and Crime Victim Compensation Application.
• May provide translation services to non-English speaking victims and witnesses as requested by prosecutors and/or investigators.
• Documents contact with victims in the prosecutor file as appropriate.
• Assists prosecutors and investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses; coordinates appointments and trial appearances.
• Provides follow up on special requests from prosecutors and investigators for appropriate community and victim service referrals.
• Records and maintains statistical data on work activities and reports that information to the Director as required.
• Accompanies crime victims to court proceedings, meetings with prosecutors and/or investigators. Provides a general orientation of court processes and assists as necessary.
• Networks with community service providers who work with victims. Regularly attends and participates in community social service meetings that focus on victim issues or assistance. Works closely with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, investigators, Board of Pardon and parole and the judiciary in delivering support to victims.
• May train and supervise interns and volunteers assigned to the unit. Makes independent decisions as to how to best integrate volunteers and interns for maximum learning opportunity.
• Provides crisis counseling as necessary. Makes assessment for longer term counseling as necessary and provides referrals based on this assessment.
• Interviews victims to assess needs and makes appropriate referrals.
• Engages victim in safety planning as needed and takes appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the victim. Makes independent decisions as to the safest course of action and follows through.
• Accompanies and assists prosecutors and /or investigators with home visits to assess disabled victims or victims who are unable to travel.
• Provides training to the office on victim rights.
• Provides necessary services for witnesses for the State as requested by investigators and/or prosecutors.
• May be called upon to testify.
• Performs all other victim service duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Degree in social work, criminal justice, sociology, or a closely related field preferred.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Two (2) years’ experience working with victims in social services field or related experience.
• Experience in the criminal justice field preferred.
• Social work licensure or other closely related licensure preferred.
• Must have knowledge of the criminal justice system processes.
• Must be able to empathize with victims and families; effectively and efficiently serve victims and families within the context of criminal justice setting.
• Must be able to handle a high stress environment, maintaining effective personal emotional coping skills.
• Have high moral and ethical standards.
• Must be able to work well in an interdisciplinary team setting.
• Must be able to make independent and sound decisions based on each individual situation following the policies established by the unit and the responsibilities that are dictated by statute.
• Writing, computer and communication skills.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English or Vietnamese/English) skills preferred.

Physical Demands And Work Environment & Other Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to bend, carry, climb stairs, grasp/squeeze, hear, keyboard, kneel, lift below the waist, lift between waist and shoulder, lift overhead, lift to the side/twist, tolerate noise, pull, push, reach, reach overhead, perform repetitive tasks, see color, see near, sit, stand, stoop, talk, twist, use his/her hands, walk, work alone and with others, and work overtime.