Victim Services Specialist

The Office of the District Attorney has opportunities for Victim Services Specialists throughout Riverside County.  Under general supervision, provides a wide variety of trauma-informed supportive services to victims, derivative victims, and witnesses of serious violent crimes; coordinates the role of victims and witnesses through client advocacy with respect to the courts, law enforcement, and related agencies; and performs other related duties as required pursuant to PC13835 and Marsy’s Law.

Meet the Team!
The District Attorney of Riverside County, as the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the People, vigorously enforces the law, pursues the truth, protects those victimized by crime, exonerates the innocent, and safeguards the rights of all to ensure that justice is done on behalf of our community.  The office’s staff of over 700 is comprised of prosecuting attorneys, sworn investigators, victim-witness advocates, paralegals, investigative technicians, forensic analysts, and a wide range of information technology and supporting staff all committed to excellence and integrity in public service.  We are, and we seek to maintain, a diverse workforce to match a diverse county.

• Provide trauma intervention services utilizing a trauma-informed approach to victims of violent crime to reduce re-victimization.

• Serve as liaison to collateral agencies including, but not limited to, law enforcement, courts, social services, and other concerned parties to provide crisis intervention services for crime victims and witnesses of crime; identify physical and psychological barriers to safety; identify options; develop an action plan and assist with the implementation of the plan; effectively manage a load of complex cases to ensure that all client’s needs are met.
 
• Respond to client needs and facilitate client services including, but not limited to, safety planning, crime scene cleanup, protective relocation or shelter, document replacement, property repair, funeral and burial arrangements, intervention with creditors, landlords, schools and employers, and application to the California Victim Compensation Board and collection restitution; provide resources and referrals for ongoing support or services.
 
• Assist clients who have experienced poly victimization with emergency situations and assess risk, safety and bio-psycho-social welfare; develop and implement complex care plans and monitor victim progress; complete case evaluation on difficult situations for the purposes of assessing danger/risk of lethality and determining appropriate types of services needed during the life of a case.
 
• Develop and maintain trusting and professional relationships with victims/witnesses; provide counseling, crisis intervention, and case management services as needed to assist clients in healing and may include advocacy, educating, referral, counseling, mediation, crisis intervention and stabilization.
 
• Participate in the prosecution of cases and court operations; keep up to date with legislative and legal updates as it pertains to victim and witness services; provide support to victims and families impacted by legislative changes that cause reductions in sentencings or probation and registrant guidelines post-conviction.
 
• Participate in a variety of special teams such as the Mass Casualty Crisis Response Team, Crime Prevention Unit, Collaborative Courts, K-9 Team and others as needed; is an active member of the prosecution team and participates in Integrated Trial Teams, which includes prosecutors and investigators.
 
• Counsel victims and witnesses to reduce trauma; provide advocacy and support to victims during interviews with law enforcement, district attorneys, or defense attorneys; implement assessments and determine client’s needs based on assessment outcomes.
 
• Advocate on behalf of clients to help ensure that all victims and witnesses are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity; advocate on behalf of clients to help ensure that their rights are protected; accompany victims to court in order to provide support during testimony; coordinate travel arrangements and financial assistance.
 
• Provide information to victims and witnesses concerning the procedures of the criminal justice system, juvenile justice system, and justice agencies; provide information on other judicial systems as necessary to meet the needs of the client.
 
• Maintain records to meet state, federal, and internal reporting requirements; prepare complex narrative and statistical reports of case records, assessments and referrals; write case documentation as required by funding sources.
 
• Provide training to law enforcement, district attorneys, and other agencies or the public concerning the Division of Victim Services and the rights of victims and witnesses; collaborate with attorneys as a member of the prosecution team.
 
• Provide education and training to other staff members, community agencies, and other professionals on victimology and the criminal justice system; interpret public social services rules, regulations, and policies to clients and the public.
 
• Drive a County vehicle as necessary to carry out services.
 
• Assist in the orientation and training of Victim Services Advocate I staff, volunteers, and interns.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in psychology, sociology, social welfare, social/human services, criminal justice, or a closely related field to the assignment .

 

Experience: One year of paid or unpaid experience providing case management, supportive or crisis intervention counseling, and advising clients of available programs, services, and resources in a public or private social service or criminal justice agency.

 

Knowledge of: The laws and procedures of criminal justice agencies as they affect the responsibilities and rights of victims and witnesses of crimes; public agency and community resources and their functions; interviewing and counseling techniques.

 

Ability to: Lead and direct the work of volunteer staff; mentor Victim Services Specialist staff; prepare statistical and narrative reports; maintain effective working relationships with others; provide psychological and emotional support to reduce trauma associated with being a victim or witness of a crime; communicate effectively in oral and written form; promote specific program projects through the use of effective presentations.