Victim Support Advocate & Court Liaison

Tarrant County; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarrant County is seeking a Victim Assistance Coordinator to deliver a supportive system for crime victims, guiding them through the criminal justice process and coordinating referrals to social services. You will be the first contact for victims and maintain ongoing contact throughout the case, working within a multi-disciplinary team.

You will assist in rights and benefits, provide translation as needed, document interactions, and support prosecutors and investigators with interviews and court

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in social work, criminal justice, sociology, or a closely related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Two 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.

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.
• Independently determines course of action in responding to victims and families.
• Assists victims in achieving rights and benefits through the Victim Impact Statement and Crime Victim Compensation application.
• May provide translation services to non-English speaking victims and witnesses as requested.
• 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 to the Director as required.
• Accompanies crime victims to court proceedings and orientations of court processes.
• Networks with community service providers and attends community social service meetings focused on victim issues.
• May train and supervise interns and volunteers assigned to the unit.
• Provides crisis counseling as necessary and makes referrals for longer term counseling.

Skills

Empathy

Crisis counseling

Independent decisions

Teamwork

Communication skills

Bilingual (Spanish/English or VIET/EN)

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in social work/criminal justice/sociology

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Tarrant County is seeking a Victim Assistance Coordinator to deliver a supportive system for crime victims, guiding them through the criminal justice process and coordinating referrals to social services. You will be the first contact for victims and maintain ongoing contact throughout the case, working within a multi-disciplinary team.

You will assist in rights and benefits, provide translation as needed, document interactions, and support prosecutors and investigators with interviews and court