Victim Witness Specialist

Dakota County, Minnesota; Hastings (MN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Pension plan

Work from home some of the time

Job summary

Dakota County seeks a Victim Witness Specialist to inform crime victims about their rights and resources while coordinating witness management for cases prosecuted by the County Attorney's Office. This role supervises interns when needed and collaborates with law enforcement and social services.

We value integrity, service, and community focus; the position offers an inclusive workplace and opportunities to work with diverse populations.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of victims' rights laws and court processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and community resource information to crime victims.
• Provide professional support to crime victims and witnesses.
• Assist crime victims in obtaining financial compensation through state and local resources.
• Provide assistance to prosecutors.
• Provide Victim/Witness Program support to further County Attorney's Office goals.

Skills

Communication skills

Victims' rights knowledge

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, human services, or related field

Associate's degree or two-year certificate in criminal justice, legal assistant/paralegal, or human services

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.

OR

• 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.

OR

• 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.

1. Provide legal and community resource information to crime victims.
2. Provide professional support to crime victims and witnesses.
3. Assist crime victims in obtaining financial compensation through state and local resources.
4. Provide assistance to prosecutors.
5. Provide Victim/Witness Program support to further County Attorney's Office goals.

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

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year).
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday.
• Pension with a generous employer contribution.
• Ability to work from home some of the time.

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions.
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications.
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration.
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer.
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks.