Paralegal/Victim Coordinator, Juvenile Division, Attorney's Office

Stearns County MN•St. Cloud, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides professional legal support to attorneys by assisting with the preparation, evaluation, and resolution of adult criminal, civil, juvenile delinquency, and child protection cases. The Paralegal/Victim Coordinator works both independently and collaboratively to handle all professional support aspects of a case from its inception through resolution. Responsibilities include obtaining evidence, drafting legal documents, communicating with victims and witnesses, preparing witnesses for court, and providing materials for litigation, case management, grant funding, and data practices requests. This role is also responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of juvenile and adult diversion programs, delivering intervention programming, providing offenders with an alternative to court, and promoting the collection of restitution for victims.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Two years of professional work experience in criminology/criminal justice/juvenile justice, law offices (including as a paralegal and/or victim/witness coordinator), law enforcement, probation, victim/witness advocacy or services, social work, state, local, or federal government, or related field
Reliable means of transportation and the ability to travel to multiple locations around Stearns County, some of which may not be accessible by public transportation
Ability to comply with Bureau of Criminal Apprehension security requirements
Experience using a personal computer and Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

Working in a city, county or state's attorney's office in Minnesota
Working with criminal, civil, or juvenile laws and court procedures
Working with the public in difficult situations
Locating, collecting, analyzing, and documenting evidence
Interviewing and communicating with victims and witnesses (including providing information and emotional support)
Paralegal experience (including drafting legal documents)
Researching, assembling, organizing, analyzing and presenting statistical, financial, and factual information derived from verbal and written sources
Reviewing, assembling, organizing, and presenting verbal and written summaries of evidence and documents regarding legal matters
Timely management of a high-volume workload requiring assignments from multiple sources in a fast-paced work environment with minimal daily direction

Responsibilities

Conducts records searches, reviews law enforcement and victim reports, gathers victim input, and determines diversion eligibility.
Notifies clients of diversion intake meetings, conducts individual and group conferences as part of the alternative court process, and informs prosecuting agencies when clients are ineligible or decline to participate.
Establishes case plans for clients and secures a written agreement; maintains contact with clients and victims to hold offenders accountable and promote their rehabilitation.
Conducts classes or programs required for diversion and maintains attendance records.
Monitors completion of all required diversion conditions; follows up with non‑compliant individuals, and reviews client compliance for discharge or revocation decisions, including notifying prosecutors when necessary.
Assesses, collects, and processes restitution and diversion fees and prepares required financial reports.
Conducts program referrals to outside agencies, reviews incoming assignments and forwards to appropriate agencies.
Maintains database, collects and reports statistical data as required by statute and office procedures, and assists in preparing recidivism reports and program effectiveness studies.
Responds to public inquiries related to diversion.
Collects and secures documents and other case materials for case evaluations, charging, workflow monitoring, and trial preparation.
Drafts legal documents for court filing (such as complaints, petitions, memoranda) and prepares discovery materials including evidence summaries and supplemental reports.
Maintains professional support staff-level legal understanding of applicable court rules, statutes, and case law to assist attorneys in evaluating evidence and preparing for court.
Prepares and delivers training and presentations to law enforcement, legal, human services, and the public regarding case charging, complex investigations, and crime victim and witness issues.
Interviews and establishes initial personal lines of communication with victims and witnesses, including conducting appropriate danger assessments, referring victims/witnesses to various community resources by assessing needs, locating options, proposing available choices, and encouraging them to utilize services.
Serves as liaison between victims/witnesses/members of the public and assistant county attorneys, law enforcement, corrections, medical, social work and court personnel to convey information and assist in resolving problems related to victims' or witnesses' strong emotional reactions to circumstances, specific treatment plans for offenders, violations of no-contact orders, and court security.
Assists in trial preparation by gathering facts and evidence, participating in case analysis interviews, preparing trial exhibits and notebooks, coordinating witness appearances, and supporting litigation from charging through trial, including assisting with logistics such as work leave, travel, lodging, and childcare for victims and witnesses.
Prepares and submits applications and reports for local, state, and federal grants; proposes and implements workload efficiencies in a manner preserving high level of customer service; proposes recommendations to enhance programs administered by the County Attorney's Office.
Attends work regularly and in a timely manner.
Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.