Job Specifications

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Under direction, to plan, organize and manage the Countywide Victim/ Witness Assistance Program and staff; and to do other work as required.

This single position class is responsible for managing and implementing a comprehensive assistance program for crime victims and witnesses. This program, in compliance with legislative mandates, provides financial and human services, facilitates a faster and more complete recovery from the effects of crime, and sensitizes criminal justice system personnel and the community to the special needs of victims and witnesses. This position represents the District Attorney's Office in contacts with public officials and other organizations. The incumbent is responsible for recruiting, training and motivating volunteers as a part of program staff. The incumbent manages the victim services crisis program, which provides intervention on a 24 hour, 7-day per week basis. This class is distinguished from that of Victim Services Representative by having on-going program and staff supervision responsibility.

Plans, organizes, and manages the services and staff of the Victim/ Witness Assistance Program; plans, assigns and reviews the work of program staff; monitors and evaluates work performance; selects and trains new staff and volunteers; recommends and implements policies and procedures for the program; monitors compliance with all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure legislative mandates are achieved; coordinates program activities with public and private human services and criminal justice system agencies; manages victim services crisis program which provides intervention on a 24 hour, 7 day per week basis; coordinates night time response among law enforcement and community agencies; negotiates agreements between law enforcement and community agencies; prepares and monitors grants and budgets; analyzes existing and proposed legislation, laws and regulations and prepares reports and recommendations; manages claims processing for victims of violent crimes; evaluates program effectiveness and recommends changes; develops and maintains on-going inservice training for staff; develops and implements victim/witness education and information programs; prepares scripts, speeches, programs, brochures and press releases; speaks before law enforcement and community groups and legislative bodies advocating the Victim/Witness Assistance Program; develops presentation and training for criminal justice system and community agencies to sensitize them to the effects and emotional trauma experienced by a victim of crime; provides direct crisis intervention and assistance services for victims under severe emotional stress; inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer; attends meetings and in-service training as required; prepares reports and correspondence.

• Working knowledge of the criminal justice system;
• Working knowledge of grant proposal preparation, budgeting techniques, and contract negotiations;
• Working knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision and training;
• Working knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviewing and counseling;
• Some knowledge of community resource agencies;
• Some knowledge of the application of data processing to office operations.

• Plan, organize and manage a countywide service program;
• Plan, assign and evaluate the work of staff;
• Assess the needs of clients under emotional stress and refer to appropriate assistance resource;
• Prepare and monitor grant proposals, contract and budgets;
• Recommend and implement policies and procedures in compliance with legislated mandates;
• Design, present and evaluate training;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with victims, public agencies, law enforcement and community resource personnel, the press and others contacted in the course of work;
• Speak effectively before groups;
• Read, interpret, explain and apply laws, regulations and policies pertinent to victim service programs;
• Prepare reports, brochures and correspondence;
• Input, access and analyze data using a computer.

Training and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Completion of the core courses required for a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university, with emphasis in public or business administration, social or behavioral sciences or related field and two years of increasingly responsible experience in a criminal justice or human service agency providing direct services to clients with some experience as a supervisor.

OR

Three years of experience supervising direct services within criminal justice system or human services program.

Possess a valid California Class C Driver's License or the employee must be able to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.

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