Victim Witness Advocate Lead - Unclassified

The Victim Witness Advocate – Lead (VWA – Lead) coordinates complex or sensitive victim and witness matters associated with multiple divisions within the Office of the Attorney General, including criminal prosecution, investigations, Medicaid fraud control, post-conviction, and victim-services functions. The VWA – Lead assists victims and witnesses with interviews, case-status information, forms and documentation, property-return issues, trial preparation, court attendance, and other needs arising during the prosecution and resolution of a case.

In addition to carrying a caseload, the incumbent serves as a lead resource for victim-service coordination; helps establish and facilitate multidisciplinary teams; supports consistent documentation and service practices; and provides lead-level guidance, coaching, and work coordination to other advocates, volunteers, and interns as assigned. The incumbent also serves as the site supervisor for Social Work practicum students. The position prepares correspondence, assessment reports, impact statements, case records, and other reports;

maintains accurate documentation; connects victims and witnesses with appropriate community resources and support services; and helps resolve complex service-delivery issues involving internal and external partners.

Graduation from high school or equivalent, supplemented by relevant formal education, specialized training, certification, or professional development in social work, health, public safety, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, ethnic or disability studies, teaching, or a closely related field. A bachelor’s degree in social work or a closely related field is preferred. Applicants should have four years of full-time progressively responsible experience working for a government agency, nonprofit organization, or other organization providing direct services to people in crisis, including substantial experience in victim advocacy, complex case coordination, or a closely related criminal-justice or human-services setting.

An equivalent combination of relevant education, specialized training, professional development, and experience may be considered in meeting these requirements. A valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment. Bilingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

The successful applicant should demonstrate substantial experience providing trauma-informed services to victims or other individuals experiencing crisis and the ability to independently coordinate complex or sensitive matters involving multiple stakeholders. The applicant should possess strong judgment, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish effective working relationships with victims, witnesses, prosecutors, investigators, agency leadership, and community partners. Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, mentoring or providing work direction to others, developing consistent service practices, and resolving complex victim-service issues is highly desirable.

The Victim Witness Advocate – Lead (VWA – Lead) must possess and apply advanced knowledge of criminal justice processes; victims’ rights and services; trauma-informed advocacy and culturally competent practices; restorative justice principles; crisis intervention; interviewing techniques; records management and documentation practices; and community resources. The VWA – Lead must demonstrate strong judgment, initiative, confidentiality, emotional composure, and organizational skills, and communicate clearly and effectively with people experiencing trauma or crisis.

The VWA – Lead must be able to manage competing priorities and deadlines; maintain consistent progress on assigned matters; and demonstrate professionalism, accountability, ethical conduct, and the ability to remain focused and composed in adversarial, high-pressure, or time-sensitive situations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, electronic case-reporting systems, and recordkeeping is required.