Victim Services Coordinator

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY Candidates for this position may be Offered a Merit or Timelimited Position

Assists Managers, Forensic Interviewers, Case Workers, Detectives, and other involved agencies in providing services to child victims of crime and family members during the investigative process. Provides direct services to child victims of crime and their parents or guardians using victim centered and trauma informed methods. Tracks and monitors cases through the investigative and criminal justice process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, Family Studies, or other closely related field, plus one (1) year experience working with children; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience. Required to complete 40 hours of Victim Advocacy Training upon hire.

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must successfully pass an initial criminal background check as well as every two years thereafter and continuously meet the requirements of the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the work performed by the incumbent(s) in this position and are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific duties and responsibilities will not preclude it from the position. Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Using victim centered and trauma informed methods, provides crisis services, advocacy, needs assessments, emergency fund distribution, community referral services, and follow-up support as long as needed to clients.

• Coordinates language translation services, transportation, and understanding of Crime Victim Reparation program and process, and assists families with completion of application submittals.

• Conducts child victim trauma and suicide assessments and refers clients to community based mental health providers and keeps caseworker informed. Provides crisis intervention and emotional support.

• Coordinates and schedules forensic medical examinations for child victims with the Center for Safe and Healthy Families at onsite or off-site clinics and educates parents about the need and process for conducting a forensic medical exam. 

• Coordinates and schedules the involvement of caseworkers, detectives, and interpreters to implement onsite forensic interviews with victims and witnesses according to interagency protocols, accreditation requirements and state statutes.

• Provides data entry and maintains records. 

• Operates digital recording system to collect victim and witness statements during the forensic interview session as evidence for the investigative and criminal justice process.

• Conducts need assessment with parent or caregivers and provide appropriate resources and community referrals.

• Engages in team staffing case review and provides pertinent case information to advocate for the child(ren) and family needs. Ensures protection, confidentiality, privacy, and security is maintained during distribution of recorded statements to allied agency partners according to statutory requirements.

• Conducts NCA OMS feedback surveys, client intakes, data entry, and data reports. Tracks case progress and collects case outcome data from child protection, law enforcement and prosecution agencies.

• Supports the Victim Services Division in covering other duties as necessary

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• Victim centered and trauma informed methods

• Social casework principles, including understanding of child development.

• Databases and computer software and programs related to job-specific duties

• Interviewing and assessment methods and techniques to determine client needs and services.

• Basic crisis intervention strategies and techniques

• Mental health and social service community agencies, organizations & resources

• Criminal justice system and victim rights

Skills and Abilities to: 

• Accurately assess social, mental, emotional, and environmental status of clients

• Function effectively within a multi-disciplinary team

• Communicate effectively with individuals from a variety of social, economic and ethnic backgrounds.

• Work with individuals from various economic and social backgrounds

• Respond quickly, appropriately, and effectively to crisis situations

• Build collaboration among and between agencies using the center

• Function independently • Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Maintain confidential materials and protect client privacy

• Ability to multitask and shift priorities under high pressure situations

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily performed in a typical office environment, child abuse investigation settings, and in other community-based organizations as needed to coordinate services. CJC staff work regularly with clients in crisis situations and who have experienced significant trauma and abuse.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

Candidates for this position may be Offered a Merit or Timelimited Position

Work is primarily performed in a typical office environment. Work hours are traditional office hours (8:00-5:00) but may occasionally extend outside of those hours to accommodate victims, urgent child abuse investigations, and to participate in community outreach, awareness, and education activities. Must be able to work one or more late shifts per month. Able to respond to calls after hours or weekends for urgent child abuse cases. 

Additional Information

Candidates for this position may be Offered a Merit or Timelimited Position