Program Coordinator, Victim Services Aitkin County

Position: Program Coordinator, Victim Services Aitkin County

Position Description: This position works to assist clients to gain understanding in relation to Support Within Reach services and issues related to healing or overcoming trauma from incidents of sexual violence in the court process.

Reports to: County Supervisor

Hours: 26 Hours Part-Time

Starting Salary: 15.00/Hr

Office Location: Primary workspace is located in Aitkin

Areas of Responsibility

Ethical & Professional Behavior
Represent agency’s mission and values with those you interact with in your professional role.
Maintain a respectful, non-judgmental demeanor towards employees, clients, and community members.
Maintain client confidentiality, when client/case requires sharing of client/case information obtain and continually monitor appropriate signed releases for each case.
Provide compassionate and empathetic services while maintaining clear professional relationship boundaries.
Comply with mandatory reporting and client confidentiality criteria as defined by law.
Participate in goal setting for the agency and exhibit open communication and teamwork with other staff members.
Attend all relevant staff meetings, administrative meetings, case consultations, strategic planning sessions, and participate in group decision-making process. Attend board meetings and other meetings as requested.
Maintain accurate records of client contacts and presentation forms, and complete necessary paperwork in a timely manner.
Share in & support other staff in general office duties as needed, such as answering phones, filing, photocopying, clean-up, etc.
Participate in projects and special assignments as approved by Executive Director/Supervisor.

Primary Responsibility
Provide crisis intervention and direct services to primary and secondary victims/survivors of sexual violence, including support, information, referrals, systems advocacy, arranging transportation, and emergency services as needed.
Provide criminal court/legal advocacy services, including assistance with filing of OFP/HRO’s, attending court hearings with clients, and supporting clients during law enforcement interviews.
Assist in coordinating sexual violence client services with staff advocates and volunteers, including the coordination of schedules and staff crisis line coverage to ensure client access to services.
Become proficient in the various reporting tool CAP60 to appropriately document and update client and program updates in the various reporting tools.
Inform immediate supervisor of programming issues, trends, needs, and concerns related to agency’s overall functioning in the county.
Ensure that statistics/reports are maintained and completed in a timely manner for monthly board meetings; quarterly, mid-year, and annual reports for grant writing.
Take crisis line/back-up responsibilities on a rotating basis.
Coordinate with staff to ensure agency participation in special events, such as county/health fairs, Mexican Fiesta, Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Night Out, Community Connect, Crime Victim Rights Week, etc.
Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director/County Supervisor.

Community Relations
Network with the various systems with which advocacy takes place and represent Support Within Reach at various interagency meetings.
Coordinate and/or assist with adult community education and professional training, including distributing posters, brochures, cards, and other publicity as needed (monthly).
Network with community agencies to inform them of services and to encourage referrals.
Complete speaking engagements and assist with the process of evaluating the agencies educational series.
Attend statewide networking meetings as appropriate.

Professional Development
Stay current with legislative changes and policies affecting agency service areas.
Continuing education – maintain a minimum of 10 hours per year. Up to 5 hours per year can be by personal education (videos, books, and consultations).
Participate in staff in-services – annual training update and special topics as relevant.

Criminal Court Component Duties:
Purpose: Empowering those impacted by sexual violence through navigating the complex criminal legal system with advocacy, support, information, options, referrals, and networking with criminal justice professionals on behalf of clients needs and rights.

Attend adult/juvenile criminal court hearings on Support Within Reach cases, track cases – report back information to appropriate staff, and build rapport with prosecutors.
Train staff and volunteers related to criminal court advocacy.
Provide supportive services to crime victims and make appropriate referrals to Support Within Reach programs and other community resources.
Assist in crime victims’ understanding and knowledge of the adult criminal and juvenile process through the development of program materials and working individually with victims and family members to ensure they understand each step of the process.
Maintain open communication with the attorneys who are handling criminal sexual misconduct cases through in-person/over the phone conversations, email, and case notes.
Be familiar with client confidentiality and case data privacy practices. Obtain appropriate signed releases for each case with the County Attorney’s office, the investigating law enforcement agency, and probation agency.
Maintain client files with specific up-to-date case information/progress, victims’ concerns, and communication with all parties. In addition, utilize Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) in cases where the offender is in the jail system.
Comply with statutorily mandated victim’s rights such as notification, participation, reparations, and restitution.
Assist prosecuting Attorney’s in processing of victim and witness data relevant to legal actions: court accompaniment, case monitoring, inform victims of plea agreement and sentencing, restitution filing assistance, reparation filing assistance, victim impact statement and compliance with other victims’ rights statutes.
Make personal or telephone contact with victim prior to defendant’s first appearance in court and discuss issues relating to arrest, bail/conditions of release and court schedule.
Make personal contact with attorney prior to all court appearances by defendant and update attorney regarding victim information.
Be present at all court appearances and provide all case-relevant information to victim, including assigned prosecutor, charged, bail/conditions of release, court scheduling, nature/purpose of present and future court appearances, prosecutor correspondence and referrals regarding civil remedies or available services.
Facilitate and be present at meetings between victim and assigned prosecutor.
Assist the victim to reporting new memories to investigating officer.
Provide the date, time, and location of all court hearings; to provide timely notice of these hearings to the victim; and to accompany victims to the hearings when requested.
Provide the victim notice of the outcomes from all court hearings within twenty-four hours of the outcome or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Explain plea offer and advantages/disadvantages of possible plea agreement.
Take such further action as may be mutually agreed to by the parties. Provide supportive services to crime victims and make appropriate referrals to Support Within Reach programs and other community resources.
Assist in crime victims’ understanding and knowledge of the adult criminal and juvenile process through the development of program materials and working individually with victims and family members to ensure they understand each step of the process.
Maintain open communication with the attorneys who are handling our cases through in-person/over the phone conversations, email, and case notes.
Be familiar with client confidentiality and case data privacy practices. Obtain appropriate signed releases for each case with the County Attorney’s office, the investigating law enforcement agency, and probation agency.
Maintain client files with specific up-to-date case information/progress, victims’ concerns, and communication with all parties. In addition, utilize Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) in cases where the offender is in the jail system.
Comply with statutorily mandated victim’s rights such as notification, participation, reparations, and restitution.
Assist prosecuting Attorney’s in processing of victim and witness data relevant to legal actions: court accompaniment, case monitoring, inform victims of plea agreement and sentencing, restitution filing assistance, reparation filing assistance, victim impact statement and compliance with other victims’ rights statutes.

Specific Duties:
Make personal or telephone contact with victim prior to defendant’s first appearance in court and discuss issues relating to arrest, bail/conditions of release and court schedule.
Make personal contact with attorney prior to all court appearances by defendant and update attorney regarding victim information.
Be present at all court appearances and provide all case-relevant information to victim, including assigned prosecutor, charged, bail/conditions of release, court scheduling, nature/purpose of present and future court appearances, prosecutor correspondence and referrals regarding civil remedies or available services.
Facilitate and be present at meetings between victim and assigned prosecutor.
Assist the victim to reporting new memories to investigating officer.
Provide the date, time, and location of all court hearings; to provide timely notice of these hearings to the victim; and to accompany victims to the hearings when requested.
Provide the victim notice of the outcomes from all court hearings within twenty-four hours of the outcome or as soon as practicable thereafter.
Explain plea offer and advantages/disadvantages of possible plea agreement.
Take such further action as may be mutually agreed to by the parties.

Qualifications
Prefer B.A. in psychology, human services, criminal justice or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience totaling 4 years may be substituted. Minimum required A.A. in psychology, human services, criminal justice or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience totaling 2 years may be substituted.
Must demonstrate competency in the completion of the above noted job responsibilities.
Comprehensive knowledge base and be comfortable in working with issues related to sexual violence on an individual and community level.
A philosophy of non-violence and non-discrimination. The ability to deal with people of different economic and cultural backgrounds; respect for and sensitivity to the needs and rights of others, including those with differing cultural, racial, religious, age, ability, and affectional differences between people.
The ability to follow strict guidelines to maintaining client confidentiality.
Strong advocacy skills, including:
The ability to identify client’s strengths and needs;
The ability to connect client to appropriate community resources;
The ability to respond to clients in crisis with appropriate interpersonal communication and intervention skills;
Knowledge of and skills with legal &medical advocacy.
Being assertive, while maintaining ethical & professional behavior when advocating for victims’ rights.
The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Economical and careful with property, resources, supplies and use of time.
Ability to react calmly and efficiently to new or stressful situations.
Demonstrates understanding and support of management by communicating information to management, demonstrates support of management to staff, clients and the community.
Public speaking and group facilitation skills.
Successfully pass background check.
The ability to work effectively with the staff, volunteers, board, community agencies, and media, utilizing teamwork where appropriate.
The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to seek supervision as needed, and to work as a team member.
Good organizational skills amidst stressful situations.
The ability to work flexible hours when necessary and be able to be on-call as needed for the position.
Must possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license and own working vehicle. Must have and maintain a clean driving record.
Proficient computer skills, especially in word processing and spreadsheets.
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of SWR.

Work Environment: Office setting with some travel required. Clients may have occasional verbal outbursts. Share 5-8 days on-call duties with other staff and volunteers.