Victim Witness Program Division Chief

County of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The County of Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office is hiring one full-time, at-will, exempt Victim Witness Program Division Chief in Santa Barbara. Reporting to the elected District Attorney, the Division Chief plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the countywide Victim Witness Program. The position provides leadership for victim advocacy, victim compensation assistance, and witness services; establishes program priorities, policies, and service standards; directs staff through subordinate managers and supervisors; and oversees funding, budgets, grants, and program performance. The Division Chief represents the District Attorney’s Office on victim services matters, coordinates operations across departmental and external agency boundaries, and leads partnerships with law enforcement, courts, government agencies, service providers, and community organizations. The role also leads planning for victim assistance following mass casualty incidents and other major events, develops policies and service protocols, evaluates program data and outcomes, and advises the District Attorney and executive team on significant issues and resource needs. The position directly oversees one Victim Witness Program Manager and indirectly oversees two Victim Witness Program Supervisors and other program staff. The Victim-Witness Assistance Program makes the criminal justice system more accessible by providing comprehensive advocacy and support intended to help victims address the physical, financial, and emotional effects of crime. The division also develops and conducts training for service agencies, community-based programs, and criminal justice personnel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in social work, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, public or business administration, or a closely related field.
Four years of experience in a criminal justice, social service advocacy or casework program, probation, or victim services program.
For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license and the ability to meet County automobile insurability requirements, or the ability to provide suitable transportation as a condition of continued employment.
Successfully complete an in-depth background investigation after a conditional offer of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with legal processes is preferred.
Experience overseeing complex programs in victim services, social services, criminal justice, or a related field.
Understanding of government operations, grant funding, budget management, and resource allocation.
Proven success supervising, developing, and motivating staff.
Strong communication, interpersonal, relationship-building, political awareness, judgment, and strategic program management skills.

Responsibilities

Establish division goals, service priorities, and performance expectations for victim advocacy, crisis intervention, referrals, support during investigative and judicial proceedings, criminal justice process explanations, victim compensation assistance, and witness and subpoena coordination and reimbursement.
Assess service demand, access barriers, staffing capacity, and resource needs; direct operational improvements; and coordinate services across the county.
Direct staff through the Program Manager and supervisors; establish management expectations; evaluate subordinate managers; and oversee selection, training, work assignments, performance evaluations, and corrective action.
Guide managers and supervisors in resolving personnel and workload issues and developing staff capability; oversee volunteer and intern program coordination; and ensure personnel practices comply with applicable requirements.
Coordinate with prosecutors, investigators, legal support, and administrative managers to develop consistent service practices, resolve case coordination issues, and support departmental initiatives.
Represent the division with law enforcement, the FBI, emergency management, courts, government agencies, service providers, and community-based organizations; develop service protocols, referral practices, and joint initiatives.
Represent the District Attorney on the statewide Victim Witness Coordinating Council and associated committees, and lead assigned task forces and specialized projects.
Lead planning and coordination for victim assistance following mass casualty incidents and other major events, including response protocols, resource coordination, identification of unmet needs, and evaluation of response practices.
Speak on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office on victim services matters within delegated authority; develop and deliver presentations, training, articles, and public information; and coordinate sensitive communications while protecting confidentiality and pending-case information.
Develop and implement division policies, procedures, and service standards; analyze legislation and grant requirements; recommend changes; and monitor compliance.
Develop and monitor annual budget requests; identify funding opportunities; oversee funding applications, grant and contract budgets, awarded funding, performance, and compliance; and coordinate procurement and contracts with the Business Office.
Direct collection and analysis of demographic, cost, workload, and service delivery data; evaluate outcomes and processes; identify service gaps; and oversee required statistical and program reports.
Prepare reports, recommendations, and correspondence for the District Attorney and executive team; advise leadership on significant issues, corrective actions, and emerging needs; and carry out assigned special projects.
Provide management direction on complex, sensitive, or escalated victim and witness service issues, coordinating solutions and ensuring appropriate follow-through.
Perform other duties assigned within the scope of the job classification.

Benefits

Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public sector employment.
Annual bank of 40 hours of management leave.
12 holidays per year.
12 days of sick leave per year, with unlimited accumulation; one year may be converted to service credit upon retirement.
Choice of medical plans, including vision care, and dental plan options; the County contributes 100% of the least expensive EPO employee-only premium.
Flexible spending plans and other voluntary options.
Onsite employee health clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria for eligible employees and dependents.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
County contribution of 0.24% of base salary to a 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan.
Voluntary participation in a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan.
Public-sector applicants may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit toward an advanced vacation accrual rate.