Department Head: Hays County District Attorney
Salary Range Minimum: $34,773.13 Annually
Job Number: 607-0505-032421
Date Open: March 24, 2021
Application Deadline: Until filled
In order to be considered for employment with Hays County submit the following documents:
• Hays County Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
Find Hays County Employment Applications at:
• Pre-printed forms at the Hays County Human Resources department
• Request PDF forms from [email protected] via email
You may submit your application documents in any of the following ways:
• Hand-deliver to 712 South Stagecoach Trail, Suite 1063, San Marcos, TX 78666
• Fax: 512-393-2227
• Email: [email protected]
Education and/or Experience
• Requires bachelor’s degree or knowledge equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science, or a closely related area.
• Requires three years victim assistance or related social work experience. Any equivalent combination of experience and training may substitute for educational requirements.
Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Requires attendance and completion of basic TLETS Course.
Responsibilities
• Translates for non-English speaking victims.
• Maintains a positive working agreement with community agencies to secure available resources for victims and their families.
• Serves as the first contact for victims of misdemeanor, felony, violent and non-violent, property, and family crimes filed with and accepted by the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s office; maintains contact with and provides information to victims throughout the complex criminal justice process; and works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to assist victims.
• Assists victims in achieving, to the most practical extent possible, all the provisions set out in the Rights of Crime Victims, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, specific to their situation; serves as an advocate for victims in ensuring that they receive eligible assistance and benefits; and assists in obtaining information and in the completion of the loss value information, Victim Impact Statement and Crime Victim Compensation Application.
• Keeps victims informed of the status of their case by mail, email and phone contact; provides emotional support by allowing victims to express their frustrations, anger, guilt, and/or fear and responding appropriately to their feelings; and independently determines course of action in responding to victims and or families.
• Enters victim information and documents all contact and attempted contact with victims in Odyssey.
• Prepares victim information packets to include pre and post indictment letters for felony cases, filed and unfiled letters for misdemeanor cases, Victim Information Packets explaining the criminal justice system and informing victims of services available, Victim Impact Statement and Crime Victim Compensation applications.
• Assists prosecutors and investigators in interviewing victims and witnesses as requested; and coordinates appointments and trial appearances as requested.
• Attends Jury Trials with victims during their testimony for emotional support
• Provides follow up on special requests from prosecutors and investigators as requested.
• Obtains restitution information from victims and provides alternate means for the victim to be compensated for damages incurred as a result of criminal behavior and process restitution orders once all documents are gathered.
• Provides ongoing support information, resource materials, and referrals for additional services to victims.
• Processes Witness Fee Claim Forms when necessary.
• Assists in making presentations to community agencies in regard to victim’s rights.
• Accompanies crime victims at, court proceedings, including jury trials and protective order hearings; and accompanies investigators and prosecutors to victim’s home, hospital, school, work, and counselor’s offices.
• Performs routine administrative assistant tasks such as filing, scanning, emailing, copying and establishing, maintaining, and organizing case files.
• Prepares daily logs of numbers and types of contacts with victims and assists with case statistical recordkeeping and prepares cover sheets for both felony and misdemeanor with victim information to keep up with intake.
• May be called upon to testify.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Summary
Under general supervision of the Lead Victims Assistance Coordinator, the Victims Assistance Coordinator provides direct services to victims of crime, and their families within Hays County. The work involves treating a variety of problems, questions, or situations in conformance with established criteria. The work product affects the operation of the County’s Victim’s Assistance Program. This position affects the well-being of Hays County victims and their families.
Individuals in this position serve at the pleasure of the current elected official.
Hays County is an EEO employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Hays County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of background checks, including reference checks, criminal history, and driver’s license checks and driving history.