Victim Witness Assistant

Dunn County District Attorney's Office is currently looking for a full time Victim Witness Assistant to join their team! The Victim Witness Assistant is responsible for coordinating compliance with victim/witness rights under Wisconsin State Statutes; provides information to victims and witnesses concerning their rights in criminal justice procedures and various resources available within the community; advises the prosecuting attorney and the court regarding victim notification and input; briefs victim/witness on court proceedings and legal procedures.
 

• Monday, August 25th
• Wednesday, August 27th
• Thursday, August 28th
• Friday, August 29th

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and which are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assists in sending out notices or making personal contact with victims and witnesses of juvenile offenses regarding court dates, cancellations, etc.; assists in providing notification services and maintaining alert system as provided in the program plan, assists in contacting witnesses to provide information regarding case status and to resolve problems to ensure that the witness will appear in court. 
• Assists in the development and implementation of a volunteer program to provide services to victims and witnesses as required.
• Assists in the development and implementation of a crisis intervention/response program.
• Schedules and attends meetings with victims and attorneys; attends meetings with victims before, after, and during court hearings. 
• Assists in providing information and assistance to victims and witnesses regarding their rights, criminal justice procedures, and community and governmental resources available to them.
• Assist in the development and distribution of information, materials and brochures.
• Assists in acting as a victim and witness advocate and liaison with various court and police agencies in such areas as arranging for the return of property to victims, assisting victims in obtaining restitution and assisting witnesses in applying for witness fees; makes travel and hotel arrangements for out-of-town witnesses, and modifying bonds.
• Assists in maintaining contact with prosecutors regarding case status and witness problems.
• Assists in recording subpoenas and maintaining current court calendar.
• Assists in maintaining current listing of referral services and referral requirements; assists in follow-up referrals to other agencies to ensure that the needs of victims and witnesses are met.
• Assists in providing transportation to victims and witnesses as required.
• Travels to various locations to attend forensic interviews, take notes, and provide support. 
• Assists in preparing and typing reports, letters and other correspondence as required.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level/type, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s Degree in Legal Studies, Criminal Justice or related field. 

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
• Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of practices and principles of the Criminal Justice System.
• Knowledge of Marsy’s Law and WI statutes pertaining to the rights of victims.
• Knowledge of WI statutes pertaining to the rights of victims/witnesses of crime, criminal and juvenile statutes.
• Knowledge of sentencing guidelines, rules of criminal procedure, courtroom procedure and victims’ laws and rights.
• Knowledge of victim resources and community agencies for referral and/or funding.
• Skill in proofreading for correct grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
• Skill in using and operating computers and business productivity software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internet, presentational software, etc.).  
• Ability to learn, interpret, understand and explain statutes, court processes, procedures, rights and resources available to victims and witnesses of crimes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, law enforcement officers, victims, witnesses in cases, volunteers, professional and para-professional staff in and outside of the agency.
• Ability to act as a liaison between victims and attorneys, explaining concerns to both sides.
• Ability to act independently with limited supervision and maintaining confidentiality within the policies and procedures of the department.
• Ability to prepare and maintain numerical and narrative reports.
• Ability to establish a rapport and advocacy relationship with victims and witnesses.
• Ability to apply department and/or county specific procedures, policies, and operational routines pertaining to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ability to prioritize job assignments and perform work assignments requiring attention to detail, precision and accuracy.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and community members in written and verbal form. 
• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds and/or infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous speaking, hearing, sitting and using fingers to handle/feel; work occasionally requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms.  
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

• Job duties may involve contact with the public that may become hostile, irate or verbally abusive.