Victim Witness Assistant Coordinator

County of Roanoke Virginia; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Roanoke Virginia seeks a full-time Victim/Witness Services paraprofessional in the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. The role entails guiding victims through the criminal justice process, coordinating with prosecutors, and ensuring access to services while maintaining confidentiality.

Requires an Associates degree with experience in human services or related fields. This grant-funded position emphasizes communication, documentation, and supportive advocacy for victims and witnesses

Qualifications

• Associates degree from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for victims and witnesses, providing information and referrals.
• Explain court procedures, victim rights, and available resources.
• Coordinate communication among victims, prosecutors, law enforcement, courts, and service providers.
• Assist with completing forms, notices, and restitution documentation.
• Prepare victims for hearings and accompany them to court.
• Maintain confidential case files and accurate records.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Crisis intervention

Record keeping

Education

Associates degree

Bachelor’s preferred

Tools

Office software

Job description

General Description

Performs responsible paraprofessional and technical work providing victim and witness support services within the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney. Assists victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process by providing information, coordinating services, explaining court procedures, and facilitating communication with prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, courts, and community organizations. Ensures compliance with applicable victim rights requirements, maintains confidential records, and performs related administrative support duties. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Commonwealth's Attorney or designee. Performs other duties as assigned. Note: Full-Time Grant-Funded position in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office
Hours Required for this position: 40 hours

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as the primary point of contact for assigned victims and witnesses by providing information, support, referrals, and assistance throughout the criminal justice process.
• Explains court procedures, victim rights, protective orders, restitution, and available community resources in accordance with the Virginia Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act.
• Coordinates communication between victims, witnesses, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, courts, and service providers to ensure timely exchange of information.
• Assists victims with completing compensation applications, restitution documentation, notification requests, and other required forms.
• Provides courtroom orientation and prepares victims and witnesses for hearings, trials, and other court proceedings.
• Maintains confidential case files, enters case information into computerized records systems, and prepares correspondence and required documentation.
• Assists with scheduling meetings, interviews, and court appearances and provides notification of court dates, continuances, plea agreements, sentencing, and offender status as required.
• Refers victims to appropriate community agencies for counseling, shelter, advocacy, financial assistance, and other support services.
• Assists with outreach activities, educational materials, and public awareness events related to victim services.
• Maintains professional relationships with judges, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the public while ensuring confidentiality and professionalism.
• Works collaboratively with others, especially prosecutors and other staff in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, to accomplish program goals while demonstrating conscientiousness, integrity, fairness, respect, introspection and a positive attitude.
• Accompanies victims and witnesses to court, conducts courtroom tours, and explains judicial proceedings.
• Provides appropriate referrals to victims for crisis intervention, medical treatment, and related needs. Provides counseling and referrals to appropriate agencies for victims and witnesses
• Disseminates victim's rights information to all victims in conformity with the Victim Rights Act.
• Keeps victims and witnesses informed of significant developments in the investigation and adjudication of their cases.
• Explains victim impact statements and the restitution process to victims.
• Schedules appointments with victims and witnesses for trial preparation.
• Provides positive support to victims, recognizing and addressing their needs for emotional support and information.
• Prepares reports, produces and distributes written materials and maintains accurate records.

Education

Associates Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology or related field.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or related field.

Experience

Required: One to three years of experience in human services, victim advocacy, legal support, or a closely related field.

Preferred: Experience working within a court, Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, law enforcement agency, or victim services program.

Certifications

Must have a valid Virginia Driver’s License with a good record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including clear communication, listening, adaptability/flexibility, problem solving/conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence. Conscientiousness, diligence, organization/time management, resilience and a positive attitude. General knowledge of the local and state criminal justice systems. General knowledge of case management and crisis intervention techniques. General knowledge of legal terminology, documents and instruments. Working knowledge of the physical and mental impact of victimization. Ability to communicate and establish strong and effective working relationships with victims. Ability to maintain records and reports. Skill in the use of standard office equipment, computer hardware and software.

Additional Requirements

Subject to a complete criminal background investigation with acceptable results.

Must also be able to perform the job as described in the Physical and Environmental Demands section of this job description.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.