Victim Rights Coordinator

Van Buren County; Paw Paw Township (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Van Buren County is seeking a unified Victim Rights Advocate to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed advocacy for crime victims, primarily in felony and juvenile sexual conduct cases. You will coordinate grant reporting, assist prosecutors, court staff and community partners on victim rights matters, and support operations of the Victim Rights Unit.

You will maintain case records, deliver crisis intervention, and help victims with court procedures, compensation, and programs while ensuring

Qualifications

• Requires a relevant degree or equivalent experience in criminal justice or social services.
• Must understand CVRA and criminal justice processes and terminology.
• Demonstrates trauma-informed, victim-centered practice and confidentiality.
• Experience with grant reporting, program documentation, and meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage felony and juvenile cases and provide county-wide coverage as needed.
• Provide victim rights information within statutory timeframes and court updates.
• Collect Victim Impact Statements and assist with sentencing input.
• Deliver trauma-informed education, referrals, crisis intervention and safety planning.
• Assist with restitution processes and communicate with probation or court staff.
• Administer direct victim-needs using available funding per state guidelines.
• Provide courtroom advocacy and support at hearings chosen by victims.
• Assist with Crime Victim Compensation applications and related processes.
• Assist victims with MI VINE and Address Confidentiality Program resources.
• Coordinate with probation on post-disposition questions for juveniles.
• Attend Domestic Violence Task Force and Child Advocacy Center meetings as needed.
• Manage Victim Rights grant requirements and reporting deadlines.
• Review PBK letters for grant reporting accuracy and updates.
• Serve as a resource for Victim Rights Unit changes and office updates.
• Maintain accurate records of contacts, services, and grant information; complete CE annually.

Skills

CVRA knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Case management

Stakeholder communication

Resource familiarity

Judgment & coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

HS diploma with 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.