Victim Rights Coordinator

Van Buren County; Paw Paw (MI); On-site; USD 83,173,000 - 101,069,000; Full time

Job summary

Van Buren County is seeking a Victim Advocate II to provide trauma-informed advocacy and case support for felony and juvenile cases under the CVRA. You will coordinate grant reporting, assist with court proceedings, and serve as a resource to prosecutors, court staff, and community partners.

Responsibilities include notifying victims, collecting VIS, guiding sentencing input, and coordinating with MI VINE and the Address Confidentiality Program.

Qualifications

• CVRA knowledge and familiarity with the criminal justice system.
• Trauma-informed, victim-centered crisis intervention and safety planning.
• Ability to manage complex victim cases with confidentiality and accuracy.
• Experience in reports, grant materials, and program documentation.
• Strong communication with victims, prosecutors, probation and court staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage felony and juvenile cases and provide county-wide coverage.
• Provide victim rights information within statutory timeframes and notify court proceedings.
• Collect VIS and assist victims with sentencing and restitution inputs.
• Deliver education, referrals, crisis intervention, and safety planning.
• Assist with restitution, grant reporting, and PBK/document updates.
• Provide courtroom accompaniment and advocacy at hearings chosen by victims.
• Assist victims with CVC, MI VINE, and Address Confidentiality resources.
• Coordinate with probation, attend meetings, and support grant reporting timelines.
• Maintain accurate records of contacts, services, court activity, and grants.

Skills

CVRA knowledge

trauma-informed practice

victim-centered advocacy

case management

courtroom support

grant reporting

interagency coordination

professional communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice or related field

High school diploma + 2 years related experience

Job description

GRADE:

Unified R7 ($28.99 - $35.33)

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides comprehensive, trauma-informed advocacy and case support to crime victims in accordance with the Crime Victim Rights Act (CVRA), with primary responsibility for felony cases and juvenile criminal sexual conduct cases. Coordinates Victim Rights Unit grant reporting and program requirements, assists with unit coverage and operational changes, and serves as a resource to prosecutors, court staff, and community partners on victim rights matters.

ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of the Crime Victim Rights Act (CVRA), criminal justice system, court proceedings, legal terminology, and Prosecuting Attorney Office procedures.
• Ability to provide trauma-informed, victim-centered crisis intervention, safety planning, education, referrals, and courtroom support.
• Ability to manage complex victim cases, statutory notification requirements, grant deadlines, program reporting, and detailed case records with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare reports, grant materials, correspondence, presentations, and other program documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with victims, prosecutors, probation and court staff, law enforcement, service providers, and community partners.
• Familiarity with community resources and victim-service programs, including Crime Victim Compensation, MI VINE, the Address Confidentiality Program, and Michigan Department of Corrections victim services.
• Ability to independently solve problems, adapt to program and procedural changes, exercise sound judgment, and coordinate work and information across the Victim Rights Unit.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Manage assigned felony and juvenile criminal sexual conduct cases and provide coverage throughout the County as needed in coordination with the Victim Rights Advocate.
2. Provide notices and information to crime victims as required by the CVRA, including initial victim rights information within applicable statutory timeframes and notifications regarding scheduled court proceedings, conviction, the right to make a statement, disease testing when applicable, final disposition, and available MDOC victim services.
3. Collect and process Victim Impact Statements (VIS); assist victims with completing statements; and obtain victim input for sentencing, disposition, restitution, and other case-related matters.
4. Provide trauma-informed, victim-centered education, referrals, crisis intervention, safety planning, bond-condition support, and other direct services to crime victims throughout the criminal and juvenile court process.
5. Assist victims with restitution by gathering and calculating documented losses when appropriate, obtaining needed information, and communicating with probation or court staff on the victim’s behalf.
6. Administer direct victim-needs assistance using available 5% funding in accordance with State guidelines and office policy.
7. Provide courtroom accompaniment and advocacy for victims at hearings they choose to attend and provide advocacy during victim meetings with prosecutors.
8. Assist victims with Crime Victim Compensation (CVC), including applications, State submissions and follow-up, filing applicable notices, and explaining the distinction between CVC and restitution to victims and justice-system partners.
9. Assist victims with MI VINE, the Address Confidentiality Program, Michigan Department of Corrections victim services, jail information, and other appropriate victim-service resources.
10. Assist victims in juvenile cases with post-disposition questions and concerns, including coordination with probation regarding restitution, apology letters, and other follow-up matters.
11. Attend monthly Domestic Violence Task Force meetings and Child Advocacy Center case-review meetings; provide case or court updates as appropriate; and support County Victim Team topics, presentations, and agency communication.
12. Manage Victim Rights grant requirements, including monthly Financial Status Reports, quarterly work plans, the annual application, annual end-of-year report, annual program narrative, and other required grant documentation and deadlines.
13. Review and adjust PBK letters and codes to support accurate grant reporting and provide the Victim Rights Advocate with updated information regarding grant reporting and PBK changes.
14. Serve as a resource for Victim Rights Unit changes, questions, and assistance for prosecutors and other court staff; coordinate with the Office Manager and Victim Rights Advocate to implement and communicate applicable program or office updates.
15. Maintain accurate records of victim contacts, correspondence, notices, services, court activity, grant-related information, and other required program documentation.

Complete a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education each year and attend applicable victim-rights training as required

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, social behavior or related field. OR graduation from high school, two (2) years work in criminal justice, law enforcement, social sciences, or related field and two (2) years’ experience in the legal system or progressively responsible community service agency, and two (2) years as a Victim Advocate II, and one (1) year of supervisory experience with crime victim related agency. OR and satisfactory equivalent combination of experience or training

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen. Applicant must complete County application form.

Attend applicable PAAC/PAAM training’s and Michigan Victim Assistance Academy

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Work is performed under the general direction of the Prosecutor.

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily conducted in an office setting. Courtroom appearances may be required. Some travel may be required to courts, trainings, and victim/witness forum meetings.

Works under the direct supervision of the Prosecuting Attorney who outlines duties and reviews work for conformance with the Victim Rights Act and department standards. May be required to write grants.