Kankakee Times

The County of Iroquois

Job Description

Job Title: Victim/Witness Coordinator          

Department: State’s Attorney’s Office

Reports To: Office Manager

SUMMARY

The Victim/Witness Coordinator provides direct services to victims and witnesses who become involved in the Criminal Justice System.  The Coordinator acts as a liaison between the victim/witness and State Attorney’s Office where the charges are investigated and/or prosecuted by this agency.   The Coordinator is responsible for effectively responding to victims/witnesses regarding the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of victimization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Exhibit honesty and integrity while adhering to State’s Attorney’s Office and County policies.

Display a high standard of ethical conduct.

Maintain confidential matters.

Communicate with people of varied educational and occupational backgrounds.

Possess good judgment, tact, compassion, and courtesy.

Serve as the contact point for the victim/witness and provide support, assistance, and advocacy.

Establish rapport and provide optimal direct services to crime victims, witnesses, and their families.

Orient the victim/witness to the criminal justice process,

Keep the victim/witness informed about changes in court dates, procedures, and reasons for postponements and delays.

Assess the service needs of the victim/witness and make the appropriate social service referrals.

Assess individual needs of a victim/witness needing to testify in court and arrange to meet/coordinate those needs.

Coordinate transportation, housing and child care assistance.

Assess financial loss of a victim and provide information and assistance regarding restitution and Illinois Crime Victims Compensation. 

Provide referrals for counseling and financial assistance.

Provide referrals and resources for legal and medical support.

Provide intervention with employers, academic institutions, landlords and creditors.

Provide referrals for victims and coordinate with community victim service providers.

Accompany victim/witness into the courtroom as requested.

Prepare and mail necessary documents upon receipt of notices from the Prisoner Review Board.

Maintain statistics on all victims/witnesses (e.g., crime, age, race, etc.) and prepare grant quarterly data reports.

Provide information regarding Crime Victim’s Rights.

Prepare Criminal Orders of Protection.

Assist victim with their Victim Impact Statement for the sentencing hearing at the attorney’s request.

Confirm arrangements for translators in the courtrooms needed to assist victims/witnesses.

Operate computer, using Windows and/or DOS environment and/or such other manual or electronic equipment as required.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Other duties (allowable with VCVA funds) may be assigned as necessary for the effective operation of the department.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable any individual with disabilities to perform his essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associate’s degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; with six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions, some complex, furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

none

COMMUNICATION / PERSONAL CONTACTS

With whom contacts are maintained and frequency:

General public, persons typically at middle levels of outside organization units but usually within the department; most contacts require some degree of responsibility.  Furnishes, seeks out, generates, or obtains information on office matters.

Original source can be found here.