Victim Assistance Coordinator

EMPLOYER: Aransas County

Location: Rockport, TX

Effective Date: July 26, 2021

Salary: $40,921.02

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

The Aransas County Attorney is accepting applications for a Victim Assistance Coordinator. Interested applicants may submit a resume through the online portal or at the Human Resources office located at 2840 Hwy 35 N., Rockport, TX

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC) has a duty to ensure that a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim is afforded his/her statutory rights. Some of these victim rights include receiving information and assistance when applying for crime victims’ compensation or restitution, being informed and notified of court proceedings, bail procedures, and parole procedures, and assistance with victim impact statements. In addition to victim specific duties, the VAC will answer incoming calls and transfer them to the appropriate employee as needed, greet and assist visitors, provide information to the public, and perform general clerical duties.

This position affects the wellbeing of Aransas County victims and their families. This position requires the employee be available to communicate and meet with victims and witnesses outside of normal business hours.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

  1. Reports to: The County Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys
  2. Directs:  This is a non-supervisory position        
  3. Other:  Has contact with other departmental employees, crime victims, families of crime victims, witnesses, local law enforcement agencies, defendants, attorneys, merchants, County Clerk’s Office and general public;

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

  • Making initial contact with victims when charges have been filed with the County Attorney’s Office, as well as follow up visits with victims by phone or in person;
  • Serving as liaison between victims, the County Attorney’s Office, and the courts;
  • Providing case updates and court dates to the victim, victim’s families, and witnesses;
  • Answering questions about the legal process and courtroom procedures;
  • Assisting victims when applying for crime victims’ compensation, including assistance with Texas SAVNS (Statewide Automated Victim Notification System);
  • Assisting victims with restitution requests and, when restitution has already been paid to or on behalf of the victim, assist the OAG with ensuring that restitution is ordered in the appropriate amount and paid back to crime victims’ compensation fund;
  • Assisting victims with victim impact statements and testimony;
  • Accompanying victims to law enforcement offices, courts, and prosecutors’ offices, when necessary;
  • Providing information to victims and connecting them to local social service agencies that provide treatment for the mental, emotional, and physical needs of the victim;
  • Refers victims to counseling, social services, shelters and other agencies for assistance;
  • Provide information and proper paperwork to victims of domestic violence to request protective orders;
  • Reviews applications for protective orders for and relays information to Assistant County Attorney(s);
  • Maintains a positive working agreement with community agencies to secure available resources for victims and their families;
  • Making lodging and transportation arrangements for the victim, victim’s family, or witnesses, when appropriate;
  • Enters information and documents all contact and attempted contact with victims, victim’s family, and witnessed in County software (Odyssey);
  • Attends job-related ongoing education in person or online;
  • Answers the phone and assists visitors to the office;
  • Accurately and timely relays information;
  • Performs general clerical duties as required, including—but not limited to—filing, scanning, copying, faxing, shredding, data entry, and recording information;
  • Readily complies with departmental and County-wide policies and procedures; and
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Ability to establish good rapport with individuals often under difficult circumstances.
  • Ability to be pleasant and respectful to others who may be upset.
  • Ability to maintain strict office privacy and confidentiality.
  • Ability to handle stressful situations in a professional manner.
  • Working knowledge of specific job-related technology and equipment. 
  • Ability to work effectively with co-workers, employees, and management in a pleasant, professional manner. 
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Spanish preferred

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

  1. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. 

2.   Bachelor’s degree or knowledge equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science, or a closely related area OR three years victim assistance or related social work experience is preferred.

3.   Must submit to and pass a background check, pre-employment physical, and drug screening

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIROMENT

Physical Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Regularly required to sit, bend, kneel, walk, stand, reach, and move objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
  • Mainly indoor activity.
  • For the purpose of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendment Act, this job description does not take into account potential reasonable accommodations.                               

Please send resume, cover letter and references to [email protected] or Aransas County, HR Department, 2840 Hwy 35 N., Rockport, TX 78382. For more information, call Human Resources at 361-790-0135.