The Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator (AVWC) performs certain statutorily mandated duties for the victims, and/or, their family, while simultaneously performing certain duties necessary to accomplish competent and effective prosecution.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Use of legal terminology, legal format, and processes.

• Standard and legal office practices, procedures, and clerical techniques.

• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

• Current office practices and procedures.

• Computer software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Preparation of Court documents in a timely and accurate manner.

• Analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.

• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

• Managing multiple projects and prioritizing multiple tasks and demands.

• Applying judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.

Ability to:

• Effectively respond to crisis situations and individuals in crisis

• Effectively observe, assess, and document victim and witness behaviors

• Use discretion and independent judgment with limited supervision

• Work in a professional manner with people of diverse social backgrounds and professional rank

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community

• Follow written and verbal instructions

• Effectively utilize technology, including Internet searches and use of email

• Accomplish the assigned workload in a timely manner and meet established performance standards and objectives

• Maintain sensitive and confidential information

• Clerical duties involving typing, filing and correspondence as necessary

• Actively and willingly assist supervisor and all staff members with job-related duties

• Comply with office policies and procedures

• Meet with attorneys and office manager on a weekly basis to review cases

• Perform any other duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a typical indoor office setting; and is mostly sedentary with periods of mobility and light physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Will spend a large amount of time viewing a computer screen.

• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.

• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.

• Work is primarily in an office setting.

• Use and normal maintenance of office machines, (copier, computer, printer, etc.).

• Frequent use of phone handset and repetitive use of hand & fingers to operate office equipment, use computer keyboard & computer mouse and to perform other office tasks.

• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.

• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (Section 1981) and 1964 (Title VI, VII,) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).

Department: District Attorney

Pay Grade: 80, Non-Exempt

Starting hourly rate: $23.97

Minimum Experience: One (1) to two (2) years of experience as a victims’ advocate or in social work or case management.

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, sociology or related field from an accredited institution preferred.

Certifications, Licenses:

• Must have dependable transportation.

• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

The Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator (AVWC) performs certain statutorily mandated duties for the victims, and/or, their family, while simultaneously performing certain duties necessary to accomplish competent and effective prosecution.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

AVWC duties to the victims:

• Advise victims, and/or, their families of the Tennessee Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.

• Establish and maintain contact with victims.

• Inform victims of case status and progress.

• Advise victims of pending court dates.

• Explain the procedural process of criminal prosecution.

• Assist in obtaining restitution for the victims.

• Assist victims in obtaining benefits from the criminal injuries' compensation program.

• Assist victims in completing a Victim Impact Statement for the court to consider.

• Issue subpoena to victim to secure court appearance.

• Arrange travel and lodging accommodations for victims for court appearances.

• Register victims with the Tennessee Department of Correction and Board of Parole for notification of release or parole hearing.

• Provide victims with support/crisis intervention/referrals to outside support services.

• Advise victims regarding collateral attacks (i.e. appeal and post-conviction process) of convictions.

• Coordinate victim services through the Tennessee Department of Correction and Board of Parole.

• Coordinate victim services through the Attorney General's Office during the appeal process.

• Other duties deemed necessary to provide victim services.

AVWC prosecution duties:

• Create a physical case file.

• Update case management computer system with relevant data.

• Issue subpoenas to necessary witnesses to secure court appearance.

• Create judgment documents after conviction.

• Attend court and update new case events/information in the case management computer system.

• Act as the liaison between law enforcement and the prosecutor.

• Assist in obtaining case materials from law enforcement agencies.

• Establish and maintain contact with witnesses.

• Arrange witness travel and lodging for court appearances.

• Schedule interviews/meetings with assistant district attorneys and victims and witnesses.

• Coordinates victim/witness testimony during motion hearings and trials.

• Other job-related duties necessary to the prosecution of each case.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no fiscal responsibilities.

COUNTY ORGANIZATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represents the Department to other County departments, elected officials, outside agencies, customers, County residents and visitors.

• Provides quality customer service to individuals needing directions or assistance.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under general supervision on some office assignments but works independently performing recurring duties in accordance with established procedures. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.