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 traumainformed 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 Marsys 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 offices staff of over 700 is comprised of prosecuting attorneys sworn investigators victimwitness 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.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

Provide trauma intervention services utilizing a traumainformed approach to victims of violent crime to reduce revictimization.

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 clients 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 biopsychosocial 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 postconviction.

Participate in a variety of special teams such as the Mass Casualty Crisis Response Team Crime Prevention Unit Collaborative Courts K9 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 clients 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 Bachelors 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.