Victim Service Spec I-IV Criminal Division

Victim Witness Assistance Program/Sussex County

Recruitment #031224-MUDD23-150100

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Introduction

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights & Public Trust Divisions. Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion. Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

Summary Statement

The Department of Justice is seeking a Victim Service Specialist (VSS) to join the Victim Witness Assistance Program.  This VSS will be assigned to the Criminal Division within the Sussex County office and will assist Deputy Attorneys General, working directly with victims whose cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, Family Court, or the Court of Common Pleas.

This VSS will provide assistance to the victims of crime and to their families.  Specific duties include notifying victims and witnesses of the criminal case status, court dates and results of hearings; working with prosecutors and victims to complete requests for restitution; interviewing victims/witnesses to ascertain case facts and identify individual needs; assisting with the prosecution of cases by educating the victims/witnesses about the criminal justice process and preparing them for trial; and making referrals through the use of community resources.  The VSS is also responsible for staying engaged with victims and witnesses to ensure they will be present for required court appearances and may accompany the witnesses and victims to hearings and trials.  

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

  • Applies laws, agency rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in maintaining and processing agency information, particularly the Victims’ Bill of Rights.
  • Serves as a liaison with victims of crime and/or victim family members and witnesses to exchange information and explain agency services, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Interviews victims of crime and/or victim family members to determine assistance needed and refers them to appropriate agencies and resources.
  •  Notifies victims and witnesses of case status, court dates, general court procedures, sentencing orders, and other information relevant to the criminal justice process.
  • Performs follow-up contact to victims and/or victim family members.
  • Documents, verifies, and records victim information. Write reports to summarize cases and maintain files of all case contacts and to provide information, referral services or crisis intervention.
  • Maintains adequate records of provided services including case files and related material. 
  • Provides victim assistance by accompanying persons to court when needed.
  • Manages a caseload and provides advocacy for assigned clients, which includes receiving and documenting cases; disseminating information and referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources; documenting services rendered, including crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency advocacy, and other related services; and/or, performing other related activities.
  • Serves as a liaison with victims of crime and/or victim family members and witnesses to exchange information and explain agency services, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for more complex cases.
  • Assists with trial preparation and informs victims of their rights.
  • Provides victim notification in compliance with the Victims’ Bill of Rights, which include notifications for Plea purposes, Court related events, case resolutions and others case notifications.
  • Researches case records and data bases to locate and contact victims of crime and/or victim family members for appeals, pardons, commutations, and expungements.
  • Performs other duties of the same scope/complexity as assigned.

Job Requirement Series

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Victim Service Specialist I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Two years of employment with the Department of Justice with demonstrated transferable skill set and ability.
OR

1. Possession of an Associate’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science field.

OR 
1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in a non-Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR

1. One year of experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. One year of experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
3. Knowledge of human services work such as making referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources. 
4. Six months’ experience in record keeping. 
5. Six months’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Victim Service Specialist II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Three years of employment with the Department of Justice with demonstrated transferable skill set and ability.

OR

1. Possession of an Associate’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Two years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR 

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR

1. Three years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Three years’ experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
3. Three years’ experience in human services work such as making referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources. 
4. Two years’ experience in record keeping.
5. Two years’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Victim Service Specialist III
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Five years’ experience with the Department of Justice. with demonstrated transferable skill set and ability.

OR

1. Possession of an Associate’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Four years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR 

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Two years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR

1. Six years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Six years’ experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
3. Six years’ experience in human services work such as making referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources. 
4. Five years’ experience in record keeping.
5. Five years’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.


JOB REQUIREMENTS for Victim Service Specialist IV
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of an Associate’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Six years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR 

1. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
2. Four years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.

OR

1. Eight years’ experience in a Behavioral or Social Science related field.
2. Eight years’ experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
3. Eight years’ experience in human services work such as making referrals to community resources for counseling, medical care, legal assistance, emergency funding, and/or other applicable resources. 
4. Seven years’ experience in record keeping.
5. Seven years’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.

Additional Posting Information

  • Please be sure to upload a recent copy of your resume, as you complete the application process for this posting.
  • This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System.  
  • This posting may close before 4/4/2024 upon filling the vacant position.

Conditions of Hire

  • Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. 
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Benefits

  • May be eligible Loan forgiveness (State and Federal)
  • State of Delaware healthcare plan
  • State of Delaware pension plan
  • Over 4 weeks of vacation per year
  • 3 weeks of paid sick leave per year
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave


To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.