Victim Advocate/District Attorney

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County•Athens, GA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this job is to perform administrative work functions and to provide information, support and referral services to victims of crime. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, handling crisis calls; interviewing victims; acting as a liaison between victims, attorneys and the court system; providing referral resources, information and assistance; providing case status reports to victims; accompanying victims in court; recruiting/supervising volunteers, interns and community service workers; preparing reports, forms and other documentation; maintaining records; and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Requirements

Associates Degree in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, political science or related field with two years of victim assistance program experience (or related) required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the District Attorney's Office and the Victim-Witness Assistance Program as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Victim-Witness Advocate.
Knowledge of departmental procedures and methods as required in the performance of duties.
Knowledge of applicable Georgia laws, criminal court procedures, and county policies.
Knowledge and understanding of the physical, mental, and emotional impact of crime on victims.
Knowledge of the financial, professional, and mental health services available to victims of crime.
Knowledge of word processing, database, and/or other software programs relevant to the position.
Knowledge and ability to operate various machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy machine, and telephone.
Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
Knowledge of grant regulations and requirements.
Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and other staff members.
Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
Ability to compile, organize, prepare and maintain an assortment of records, reports and information in an effective manner and according to departmental and/or governmental regulations.
Ability to plan, organize and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
Ability to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
Ability to utilize and understand computer applications and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy machine, and telephone.
Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or materials.
walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants or supervisors.
Requires ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures.
Requires the ability to prepare letters, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.
Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, legal and professional languages including counseling and law enforcement terminology.
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; interpret graphs.
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, copy machine, and telephone.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using office equipment.
Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as a motor vehicle, automated office equipment, and secretarial supplies.
Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.
Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Responsibilities

Acts as a liaison between victims of crime, attorneys and the court system.
Communicates with victims of crime by telephone, by mail or in person; interviews victims; notifies victims of case status throughout various stages of the court process.
Provides referral information to victims for other service agencies.
Accompanies victims to court for support and information purposes.
Sets up restitution and failure to pay restitution hearings.
Assists victims with victim compensation fund applications.
Attends/coordinates/corresponds with panelists, judges, and probation departments.
Recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers, interns, and community service workers.
Prepares grant/funding proposals; prepares grant statistical reports to meet grant requirements.
Prepares and/or generates routine correspondence, letters, memoranda, forms, reports, logs and other documents via computer and/or typewriter.
Maintains logs of unit activities (e.g., incoming/outgoing calls; incoming visitors; outgoing correspondence; etc.).
Maintains computerized data file of biographical statistics on all victims assisted by the program.
Organizes, manages, and maintains victim case files.
Prepares defendant case files with appropriate victim information; obtains prior police reports for case files of current defendants.
Prepares departmental files; maintains file system of departmental records.
Receives, opens and reviews incoming mail; prepares outgoing mail; processes returned mail.
Copies and distributes correspondence, memoranda, reports and other related materials.
Answers the telephone; provides information; takes and relays messages and/or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.
Responds to routine requests for information from officials, employees, members of the staff, the public or other individuals.
Communicates with other social service agencies to exchange information.
Performs other duties as required.