Victim/Witness Coordinator- Diversion Unit

The company name is \"The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office\".; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public service loan forgiveness

Health coverage

PTO and holidays

Wellness program

Commuter benefits

FSAs and EAP

Job summary

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office’s Diversion Unit seeks a Victim/Witness Coordinator to provide advocacy, case coordination, and support for victims and witnesses in Diversion, Mental Health Court, and Veteran's Court.

As a primary liaison between victims, prosecutors, court personnel, and community partners, you will ensure victims are informed, supported, and afforded their rights throughout the diversion process, including crisis intervention, court accompaniment, and referrals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or related field.
• Knowledge of victim rights and trauma-informed care.
• Excellent speaking, writing and listening skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide victim/witness advocacy and case coordination.
• Inform victims about their rights under applicable laws.
• Assist victims during court proceedings and investigations.
• Coordinate referrals and gather victim input for prosecutors.
• Serve as liaison between victims, witnesses, prosecutors and service agencies.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Victim rights knowledge

Excellent communication

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position: Victim/Witness Coordinator- Diversion Unit

Supervisor: Director of Victim Services Unit (and other designated supervisors)

Company Description

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is committed to delivering justice and providing vital support to victims of crime. Our Victim Services Unit plays a critical role in guiding victims through the legal process and ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources. We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of victim services and fostering a supportive environment for both victims and staff.

**Please note that effective September 1, 2021, the City of Philadelphia requires all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. **

To attain a job with the city, you must be a city of Philadelphia resident within 6 months (180 days) of hire and able to work completely in the office.

Summary of Job

The Diversion Unit, Mental Health Court & Veteran's Court Victim/Witness Coordinator provides victim advocacy, case coordination, and support services for victims and witnesses involved in cases assigned to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Diversion Unit, including Mental Health Court and Veteran's Court.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator serves as the primary liaison between victims, Assistant District Attorneys, court personnel, treatment providers, community partners, and criminal justice agencies to ensure victims are informed, supported, and afforded their rights throughout the diversion process. Responsibilities include providing crisis intervention, court accompaniment, case updates, referrals, coordinating victim input, and ensuring compliance with Pennsylvania victims' rights laws while supporting restorative justice principles.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator serves as a member of the Victim Services Unit and may be assigned or reassigned to different units, specialty teams, or areas of responsibility within the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office based on operational needs, staffing requirements, workload demands, and the needs of victims and witnesses. Employees are expected to remain flexible and perform duties as assigned in support of the mission of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

This position works collaboratively with Assistant District Attorneys, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), the Veterans Administration (VA), probation, treatment providers, community organizations, and victim service agencies. The Victim/Witness Coordinator reports to the Director of Victim Services Unit (and other designated supervisors) and works closely with the Chief and Assistant Chiefs of the Diversion Unit/Mental Health Unit Supervisor.

Diversion Unit Overview

The Diversion Unit administers specialized problem-solving court programs that provide eligible defendants with alternatives to traditional prosecution through treatment, supervision, accountability, and supportive services. The Unit promotes rehabilitation, reduces recidivism, and enhances public safety while ensuring victims remain informed, supported, and afforded their legal rights throughout the court process.

The Diversion Unit includes Mental Health Court, which serves eligible defendants living with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders by connecting participants with treatment, community-based services, and judicial supervision as an alternative to incarceration, and Veteran's Court, which serves eligible current and former military service members through judicial supervision, treatment services, mentorship, and collaboration with the Veterans Administration (VA) and community partners. Eligible participants may resolve their cases through a variety of diversion pathways, with successful completion resulting in outcomes authorized by law.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator serves as a member of the Victim Services Unit and may be assigned or reassigned to different units, specialty teams, or areas of responsibility within the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office based on operational needs, staffing requirements, workload demands, and the needs of victims and witnesses. Employees are expected to remain flexible and perform duties as assigned in support of the mission of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide personalized services to victims and witnesses of crimes through in-person meetings, phone calls, and written communication.
• Inform victims about their rights under the Crime Victims Act, the Juvenile Act, the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, and the Victims’ Bill of Rights.
• Ensure crime victims are informed of case status, including pre-trial, trial, and post-case updates, via letter, phone, or in-person meetings.
• Assist victims and witnesses during court proceedings, providing support and advocacy during trial and in the victim/witness waiting area.
• Relay critical case information to victims, including upcoming proceedings and plea offers, and gather victim input to share with the assigned prosecutor for consideration.
• Facilitate communication between crime victims, witnesses, prosecutors, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
• Provide assistance with victim compensation, including Victims' Compensation Assistance, crisis intervention, and early outreach efforts and assist with witness fee reimbursement for those subpoenaed to attend court.
• Support victims with practical needs such as transportation, arrange language interpretation, employer/creditor/school interventions, and accessing restitution or personal property held as evidence.
• Provide & refer community resources to victims based upon their need.
• Advocate on behalf of victims and witnesses, ensuring their safety, well-being, and participation throughout the legal process.
• Provide guidance and assist in preparing victim impact statements.
• Address any intimidation or harassment complaints from victims and witnesses, ensuring their protection.
• Serve as a liaison between victims, witnesses, law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service agencies.
• Collaborate with local and state agencies, coalitions, and committees focused on victim advocacy and criminal justice reform.
• Participate in the education and training of District Attorney staff and other agencies supporting crime victims.
• Ensure compliance with the Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards as mandated by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or other related degree
• 1-2 years of victim support, social work or a related field work experience
• Knowledge of victim rights, trauma-informed care, and best practices in victim support.
• Excellent speaking, writing, listening skills required
• Computer proficiency required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.

This is an exempt employee with the City of Philadelphia. Immediately upon assuming office, new hire will receive benefits similar to those of other City of Philadelphia employees, including the below benefits:

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program qualified employer
• We offer comprehensive health coverage (medical, vision, prescription and dental) for employees and their eligible dependents
• Annual paid time off (PTO) package: 10 vacation days, 15 sick leave days, 11 paid holidays, 5 annual administrative leave
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Before tax commuter program
• Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Sick leave bonuses and exchanges
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Applications will be active for one year from the date of receipt by the Office.

All exempt employees of the District Attorney’s Office are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the District Attorney. The at-will relationship shall not be modified for any employee and no agreement, oral or written, shall be entered into that changes the at-will relationship.

** The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. **