Victim Support Specialist

El Paso County; Colorado Springs (CO); Sur place; USD 42 000 - 68 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

El Paso County is seeking a Victim Advocate to support victims of violent crime in Colorado Springs. You will initiate contact, provide information on emergency services, and assist with compensation applications.

You will also coordinate with legal professionals to ensure a smooth court experience and maintain confidential records. The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus experience with victims and strong data-entry skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and processes.
• Knowledge of victim compensation and rights.
• Experience with data entry and report generation.

Responsabilités

• Initiates contact with victims of violent crime and arranges follow-up meetings.
• Provides information on emergency assistance and ongoing social services.
• Assists victims with applying for compensation and completing statements.
• Offers court orientation and accompaniment services as needed.
• Coordinates with attorneys and investigators to ensure a positive experience for victims.

Connaissances

Criminal justice knowledge

Victim services knowledge

Community resources

MS Office & data entry

Customer service

Communication under stress

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Verbal & written communication

English fluency

Formation

High school diploma

Associates degree substitute for 1 year experience

Bachelor's degree substitute for 2 years experience

Bachelor's degree in related field preferred

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice/psychology/sociology preferred

Outils

Microsoft Office

Description du poste

• Initiates contact with victims of violent crime soon after the occurrence of the crime; arranges for necessary follow-up meetings. All contact with victims and the family will be conducted with compassion and professionalism.
• Provides crime victims and families with information on the availability of emergency assistance and ongoing social services. Must maintain a thorough knowledge of services available in the area that could assist victims; referrals will be made based on this knowledge and after assessing the victim’s needs.
• Assists victims in applying for victim compensation, completing victim impact statements, and understanding the Victims’ Rights Amendment. Meets with walk‑in clients when possible or assists in scheduling an appointment.
• Provides ongoing support to victims until their court case is closed, including court orientation, court accompaniment, and hearing notification, if requested. Must maintain a thorough knowledge of the court process and proceedings; informs victim of proceedings as often as necessary.
• Coordinates with attorneys, paralegals, and investigators assigned to the case to ensure the victim has a positive experience with the criminal justice system. Documents significant victim contact and conversations with the victim, family, or service providers.
• Provides witness coordination for trials and hearings; monitors witness lists provided by attorneys and paralegals to ensure cases have all witnesses necessary for trial and hearings; keeps attorneys and paralegals informed of witness status and potential conflicts; provides basic investigative assistance to locate victims and/or witnesses who have moved or whose addresses are incorrect.
• Obtains victim information for the Department of Corrections, Parole Board, Attorney General’s Office, and other agencies as requested.
• Collects and maintains accurate statistics on the number of victims, contacts, and crime data. Enters data into the victim database accurately and in a timely manner. Compiles data and produces statistical reports.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised:

This classification does not have supervisory authority; however, may be required to provide expertise or limited guidance or direction to employees, such as overseeing work quality, training, and guidance. Typically serves as a subject matter expert on the scope of functional area.

Supervision Received:

Receives general supervision. This classification typically performs job duties by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. Regular direction, guidance, and coaching from supervisor may be expected. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and processes. Knowledge of the laws and board guidelines covering victim compensation, victim’s rights, victim impact statements and restitution.
• Knowledge of the psychological nature of victimization, particularly in the field of domestic violence.
• Knowledge of community resources and services.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to perform data entry.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills.
• Skill in communicating both written and orally with individuals under stressful conditions.
• Must be detail‑oriented and ensure accuracy in work. Ability to enter data in applicable databases timely and accurately. Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to speak, read and write English clearly and fluently; secondary language beneficial; ability to read, analyze, and interpret charges, legal documents, statutes and professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, victims, law enforcement, legal professionals, and the general public.
• Ability to interact with victims, family members, leadership, government officials, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages and volume; ability to collect and compile basic statistics.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment, including telephone, computer, copier, and calculator.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Three years of experience working with victims.
  • Associate’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or related field.
• Experience working with victims in a legal or law enforcement environment.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Victim Advocacy certificate preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation and reference check.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, type or feel; employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job-related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the department or office's needs and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.