Victim Witness Specialist

Dakota County • Hastings, MN

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Victim Witness Specialists provide crime victims with information about their statutorily mandated rights and refer them to community resources when appropriate. They help victims understand criminal and juvenile justice processes and serve as a resource to Assistant County Attorneys, law enforcement, social services, corrections, and the Court on victims’ rights. The role coordinates witness management support for cases prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office and provides supervision to the Victim/Witness intern when the supervisor is unavailable.

The position is in Dakota County’s County Attorney’s Office and is performed in a county office building, with some travel required. The role supports victims and witnesses, provides information about legal and community resources, helps victims access financial compensation, and assists prosecutors and the Victim/Witness Program. The position requires regular attendance according to the management-approved work schedule. The listed full salary range is $65,638–$102,560.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, human services, or a closely related field and one year of related experience in criminal justice, crime victim services, or human services; or an associate’s degree or two-year technical certificate in criminal justice, legal assistant/paralegal, or human services and three years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling five years.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of crime victims’ rights, laws, and issues; civil, criminal, and juvenile court systems and procedures; rules of professional conduct; and data practices rules and laws.
• Ability to use good judgment and make sound, independent decisions.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, including word processing and database applications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks, and adapt to frequently changing work demands.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultural, social, and educational backgrounds, internally and externally.
• Knowledge of human reactions to trauma and ability to assess and work with individuals experiencing trauma and crisis.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm and respond professionally during high-pressure situations or crisis calls.
• Ability to use active listening skills and remain non-judgmental.
• Knowledge of grief, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other trauma-related conditions or diagnoses.
• Regular attendance according to the position’s management-approved work schedule.
• Ability to travel as required and lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of the Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy or the national equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and community resource information to crime victims.
• Provide professional support to crime victims and witnesses.
• Assist crime victims in obtaining financial compensation through state and local resources.
• Provide assistance to prosecutors.
• Provide Victim/Witness Program support to further County Attorney’s Office goals.
• Facilitate crime victims’ understanding of criminal and juvenile justice processes.
• Act as a resource to Assistant County Attorneys, law enforcement, social services, corrections, and the Court regarding crime victims’ rights.
• Coordinate witness management support on cases prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office.
• Supervise the Victim/Witness intern when the supervisor is unavailable.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Paid time off accruing at a rate that starts at four weeks per year.
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday.
• Pension with a generous employer contribution.
• Ability to work from home some of the time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time