Victim Witness Specialist

Dakota County

Hastings (MN)

On-site

USD 66,000 - 103,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Work from home part of the time

Pension with employer contribution

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Dakota County is seeking a Victim Witness Specialist for the County Attorney's Office in Hastings. This full-time role supports crime victims by providing information, referrals, and coordination of witness management for cases prosecuted by the County Attorney's Office.

Minimum qualifications include a relevant degree (or equivalent combination with 5 years experience). The office offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities to work from home part of the time.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, human services, or closely related field AND one-year related experience in criminal justice, crime victim services or human services.
Associate's degree or two-year technical certificate in criminal justice, legal assistant/paralegal, or human services AND three years of related experience in criminal justice, crime victim services or human services.
An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 5 years
Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy or the national equivalent (preferred)

Responsibilities

Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Knowledge of crime victims' rights, laws and issues; civil, criminal and juvenile court systems and procedures; rules of professional conduct; and data practices rules and laws.
Ability to use good judgment and make sound, independent decisions.
Operate a personal computer, including word processing and database applications.
Work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks, and adapt to changing work demands.
Work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Support victims through the justice process and coordinate witness management for cases.
Provide supervision to interns when the supervisor is unavailable.

Skills

Effective communication

Knowledge of victims' rights

Good judgment

Independent decision making

Computer literacy

Multitasking

Working with diverse communities

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

Associate's degree or 2-year certificate in related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience (5 years)

Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy (preferred)

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive

DEPARTMENT: County Attorney

HOURS: Full-time

FULL SALARY RANGE: $65,638 - $102,560 (107 grade)

LOCATION: Judicial Center, Hastings

UNION: None

CLOSE DATE: Monday, November 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

What You'll Do

Victim Witness Specialists

provide crime victims with information in accordance with statutorily mandated victims' rights and makes referrals to other community resources when appropriate. Facilitates crime victims' understanding of the criminal and juvenile justice processes. Acts as a resource to Assistant County Attorneys, law enforcement, social services, corrections, and the Court regarding crime victims' rights. Coordinates witness management support on cases prosecuted by the County Attorney's Office. Provides supervision to the Victim/Witness intern when the supervisor is unavailable.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third most populous county, home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The Office aims to reflect the community and clients it serves and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, human services, or closely related field AND one-year related experience in criminal justice, crime victim services or human services.

Associate's degree or two-year technical certificate in criminal justice, legal assistant/paralegal, or human services AND three years of related experience in criminal justice, crime victim services or human services.

An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 5 years

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS BEYOND MINIMUM REQUIRED

Completion of the Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy or the national equivalent.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1 through 5

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Knowledge of crime victims' rights, laws and issues; civil, criminal and juvenile court systems and procedures; rules of professional conduct; and data practices rules and laws.
Ability to use good judgment.
Ability to make sound and independent decisions.
Ability to operate a personal computer, including word processing and database applications.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks at one time, and adapt to frequently changing work demands.
Ability to work effectively with people, both internally and externally, from diverse, cultural, social, and educational backgrounds.
Knowledge of human reactions to trauma and ability to assess and work with individuals experiencing trauma and crisis.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to remain calm and respond professionally during high-pressure situations or crisis calls.
Ability to utilize active listening skills.
Ability to remain non-judgmental.
Knowledge of grief, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma related conditions/diagnoses.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a county office building. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, printer, Microsoft Office, state court databases, the office’s case management system, telephone, scanner, and copy/fax machines.

Benefits