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NEOGOV · 2 months ago

Advocate - Victim Witness Specialist

St. Clair County, IL

Full-time

Onsite

New Grad, Entry Level

$45K/yr - $45K/yr

NEOGOV is seeking an Advocate - Victim Witness Specialist to provide essential services to victims and witnesses involved in the Criminal Justice System. The role includes coordinating assessments, offering support, and ensuring victims are informed about their rights and the legal process.

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Responsibilities

Provide crime victims with information regarding crime victims' rights as identified by Illinois Statue, such as notification, participation, reparations, and restitution

Offer assistance from the time of the charging decision, which may include crisis intervention, and maintain communication with victims to provide accurate and timely information on cases

Facilitate crime victims' understanding and acceptance of the criminal justice process

Makes direct contact with victims and witnesses of domestic violence and other crimes to provide support, referral, and comprehensive information regarding victim's rights, available options, community resources and the legal system. Maintains ongoing contact with victims and witnesses in order to provide information. Assists in planning for their attendance at court hearings and assists in their preparation as witnesses. Explains process of criminal prosecution to victims. Attends court as necessary

Conducts victim assessment interviews to collect and analyze the information involving the immediate crime and any prior history of domestic violence. Effectively documents observations and recommendations for further reference, preparing and maintaining intake forms and activity logs. Makes recommendations that are reviewed and utilized by prosecutors when assessing the ability of victims and witnesses to assist in the prosecution

Assist victims with restitution paperwork, victim impact statements and other forms of filings as needed

Assist victims in participating in court hearings for requested Orders of Protection (OP) and Stalking/No Contact Orders

Prepares correspondence and/or reports, tracks cases and uses a computer database to obtain, collect and evaluate information

Engages in ongoing reading, research and professional networking to keep up with legal developments and available community resources pertinent to area of assignment

Prepares subpoenas for trial, forwards subpoenas to St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Deputies for service, notifies witnesses of change or cancellation of court date

Prepare all required VAWA grant reports and correspondence and submit to appropriate State and Federal agencies on a timely basis

Participate in monthly Multi-Discipline Team (MDT) meetings and projects to partner with other community agencies in sponsored events

Attend community meetings and events with the purpose of educating the public and providing information about available services. Coordinates activities of the State’s Attorney's Office related to domestic violence identification and prevention and serves on committees to combat domestic violence and sexual assault within the community

Attend trainings on law updates and keep up to date on best practices in services provided for victims

Coordinates felony case file reviews with assigned prosecutors and applicable law enforcement agencies

Utilizes computer software and applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and have familiarity with case management systems, to prepare letters, documents and graphics to revise drafts and charts into business quality formats; and to compose letters

Work regular and reliable scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary

Maintain positive professional working relationships with all staff levels, other jurisdictions and outside agencies, and the general public

Perform essential position duties and responsibilities under the working conditions and physical demands described herein

Provide effective and respectful communication and interaction with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers

Perform other related functions as needed or assigned

Qualification

Victim support servicesCrisis interventionLegal process knowledgeCommunity resource knowledgeCase management systemsEmpathyProfessional networkingCommunication skillsTeam collaboration