Victim Assistant

Hamilton County•Noblesville, IN

17h•Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Victim Assistant for the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, responsible for assisting victims/survivors of violent crimes, providing referrals for victims/survivor needs, explaining and notifying of court proceedings and providing clerical and legal support to Department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field preferred, with at least one (1) year of experience in providing direct victim/survivor services preferred. Individuals working toward a degree or with prior related experience may be considered.
Working knowledge of basic criminal justice system policies, procedures and legal terminology.
Working knowledge of standard office policies and procedures with computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, email, internet, and Department-specific software systems, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.
Working knowledge of standard filing systems and ability to create and maintain accurate and organized files and records, with organizational skills and ability to multi-task and be flexible.
Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare and process legal documents, correspondence, and detailed reports as required.
Knowledge of victims’ rights laws.
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, law enforcement, community service agencies, crime victims/survivors, parents of juveniles, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, victims/survivors, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, including computer, printer, telephone, switchboard, fax machine, calculator, transcriber/dictaphone, and copier.
Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions, present findings in oral or written form, and appropriately respond to constructive criticism.
Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements and ethical conduct.
Shall comply with all employer and Department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
Ability to occasionally work extended and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for training, but not overnight.

Responsibilities

Ensures victims’ rights are enforced and each victim/survivor is heard, prior to plea offer being made and during sentencing and/or post-conviction release proceedings.
Keeps victims/survivors informed of court dates and potential resolutions to each criminal case and explains the legal process clearly.
Performs routine administrative duties, including preparing mailings and correspondence to victims/survivors, documenting case activities, tracking demographic data, typing wide variety of documents, copying, filing, mailing, faxing, delivering, and retrieving documents/files to/from other County departments, locating, pulling, organizing, and replacing files, entering data on computer, printing lists and reports, and opening, distributing, and filing department mail.
Confers with law enforcement and other external agencies on status of cases and providing referrals as necessary based on victim/survivor needs.
Serves as liaison between Deputy Prosecuting attorneys and victims/survivors.
Accompanies victims/survivors to court and provides updates regarding ongoing status of criminal proceedings in instance when victim/survivor cannot attend.
Ensures each victim/survivor is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect by providing friendly and welcoming “survivor first” environment.
Makes referrals to appropriate agencies and public services within local community.
Answers telephone and greets office visitors, including determining purpose of call/visit, researching and providing information and assistance, answering questions, and directing to appropriate personnel.
Prepares and mails victim notifications as needed, including recording damage estimates and restitution requests, and forwarding to Clerk for processing.
Compiles and prepares statistical reports as assigned.
Destroys files as ordered, including other obsolete files according to state requirements as assigned.
Performs duties of other office personnel in their absence or as needed and assists in training new clerical personnel as assigned.
Attends training seminars as assigned.
Performs related duties as assigned.