Administrative Div.

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Justice seeks a dedicated Victim Service Specialist (VSS) to support Sussex County. These positions are part of the Victim Witness Assistance Program within the Administrative Division and provide direct support to various units within the Department of Justice. Victim Service Specialists assist Deputy Attorneys General and work directly with victims whose cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, Family Court, or Court of Common Pleas. VSS staff provide assistance to victims of crime and their families. Specific duties include notifying victims and witnesses of criminal case status, court dates, and hearing outcomes; working with prosecutors and victims to complete restitution requests; interviewing victims and witnesses to ascertain case facts and identify individual needs; assisting with case prosecution by educating victims and witnesses about the criminal justice process and preparing them for court proceedings; and making referrals to appropriate community resources. Victim Service Specialists are also responsible for maintaining ongoing contact with victims and witnesses to ensure their availability for required court appearances and may accompany victims and witnesses to hearings and trials as needed.

Requirements

For Victim Service Specialist I: Two years of employment with the Department of Justice with demonstrated transferable skill set and ability OR Possession of an associate degree in a Behavioral or Social Science field OR Possession of a bachelor’s degree in a non-Behavioral or Social Science related field OR One year of experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
For Victim Service Specialist I: One year of experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
For Victim Service Specialist I: Knowledge of human services work such as making referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources.
For Victim Service Specialist I: Six months’ experience in record keeping.
For Victim Service Specialist I: Six months’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
For Victim Service Specialist II: Three years of employment with the Department of Justice with demonstrated transferable skill set and ability OR Possession of an associate degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field AND Two years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field OR Possession of a bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field OR Three years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
For Victim Service Specialist II: Three years’ experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
For Victim Service Specialist II: Three years’ experience in human services work such as making referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources.
For Victim Service Specialist II: Two years’ experience in record keeping.
For Victim Service Specialist II: Two years’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
Satisfactory background checks.
Direct deposit of paychecks.
Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Applies laws, agency rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in maintaining and processing agency information, particularly the Victims’ Bill of Rights.
Serves as a liaison with victims of crime and/or victim family members and witnesses to exchange information and explain agency services, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Interviews victims of crime and/or victim family members to determine assistance needed and refers them to appropriate agencies and resources.
Notifies victims and witnesses of case status, court dates, general court procedures, sentencing orders, and other information relevant to the criminal justice process.
Performs follow-up contact to victims and/or victim family members.
Documents, verifies, and records victim information.
Write reports to summarize cases and maintain files of all case contacts and to provide information, referral services or crisis intervention.
Maintains adequate records of provided services including case files and related material.
Provides victim assistance by accompanying persons to court when needed.
Manages a caseload and provides advocacy for assigned clients, which includes receiving and documenting cases; disseminating information and referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources; documenting services rendered, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency advocacy, and other related services; and/or, performing other related activities.
Serves as a liaison with victims of crime and/or victim family members and witnesses to exchange information and explain agency services, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for more complex cases.
Assists with trial preparation and informs victims of their rights.
Provides victim notification in compliance with the Victims’ Bill of Rights, which include notifications for Plea purposes, Court related events, case resolutions and others case notifications.
Research case records and data bases to locate and contact victims of crime and/or victim family members for appeals, pardons, commutations, and expungements.
Performs other duties of the same scope/complexity as assigned.