The essential function of a Solicitor-General’s Victim Witness Advocate is to provide assistance and support to crime victims through the criminal justice process. The position is responsible for educating crime victims on the criminal justice system and the Victim Witness Assistance Program, keeping victims apprised of case status, assisting with application for monetary compensation/assistance, providing counseling, making referrals to other agencies/resources for assistance, communicating with other professionals involved in cases, escorting victims to court, and performing related clerical tasks. The position works under general supervision independently developing work methods and sequences.

PRIMARY DUTIES: This list represents the essential tasks performed by the position. Employees may be assigned additional duties by management as required.

• Makes initial contact with crime victims to provide education on the criminal justice system and the Victim Witness Assistance Program; informs victims of their rights.
• Sets up victim records and keeps clients apprised of case status and upcoming court dates; ensures victims attend necessary court hearings.
• Provides crisis counseling and escorts victims to court to provide routine legal and emotional support; makes referrals to other agencies/resources for assistance/support as appropriate; visits clients at home as necessary.
• Provides assistance to victims in applying for and receiving compensation for expenses such as medical bills, counseling expenses, lost wages or funeral expenses; assists in filing for restitution, including civil remedies; obtains restitution information to facilitate the prosecutor pursuing it for a plea.
• Maintains detailed contact records and logs for statistical grants and expenditure reports; compiles required documentation and submits reports to the Coordinator in a timely manner.
• Assists in recruiting, training and supervising volunteers and interns; and provides assistance to other departmental personnel as needed to facilitate completion of tasks/projects.
• Plans and participates in community awareness events/meetings; designs and distributes brochures and informational materials; networks with local, state and community service providers to serve as resource and referral service for crime victims.
• Serves as liaison between the District Attorney’s office and crime victims and witnesses; communicates with attorneys, investigators and detectives regarding victims’ cases as required; keeps prosecutor apprised of victim’s current situation.
• Serves as interpreter/translator for non-English speaking victims; assists clients with completion of paperwork, such as Victim Impact Statements.
• Registers victims with the Department of Corrections and with Pardons and Paroles for notification of parole hearing/release dates of criminals.
• Performs clerical tasks such as preparing correspondence, e-mailing, performing data entry, faxing or telephoning.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

DATA RESPONSIBILITY: “Data Responsibility” refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation, interpretation, visualization, and mental creation. Data are intangible and include numbers, words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalization.

• Compiles, examines, or evaluates data or information and possibly recommends action based on results.

PEOPLE RESPONSIBILITY: “People Responsibility” refers to individuals who have contact with or are influenced by the position.

• Provides assistance to people to achieve task completion; may instruct or assign duties to coworkers.

ASSETS RESPONSIBILITY: “Assets Responsibility” refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the organization.

• Requires some responsibility for achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials, supplies or small amounts of money.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS: “Mathematics” deals with quantities, magnitudes, and forms and their relationships and attributes by the use of numbers and symbols.

• Uses addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; may compute ratios, rates, and percents.

COMMUNICATIONS REQUIREMENTS: “Communications” involves the ability to read, write, and speak.

• Reads journals and manuals; composes specialized reports and business letters using proper format and grammar; speaks to groups of coworkers and people outside the organization.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK: “Complexity of Work” addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, creativity, and concentration required by the position and the presence of any unusual pressures.

• Performs coordinating work involving guidelines and rules with constant problem solving; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressure.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS: “Impact of Decisions” refers to consequences such as damage to property, loss of data or property, exposure of the organization to legal liability, or injury or death to individuals.

• Makes decisions with serious impact – affects most units in organization, and affects citizens; probability of loss of life and/or damage are likely.

EQUIPMENT USAGE: “Equipment Usage” refers to inanimate objects such as substances, materials, machines, tools, equipment, work aids, or products. A thing is tangible and has shape, form, and other physical characteristics.

• Handles machines, tools, equipment, or work aids involving some latitude for judgment regarding attainment of standard or in selecting appropriate items, such as vehicle, computer, peripherals, or software programs such as word processing

SAFETY OF OTHERS: “Safety of Others” refers to the responsibility for other people’s safety, either inherent in the job or to assure the safety of the general public.

• Requires considerable responsibility for the safety and health of others and/or continuous enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: “Education Requirements” refers to job specific training and education required for entry into the position.

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in human services, sociology, criminal justice, social work or a closely related field.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED: “Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations” refers to professional, state, or federal licenses, certifications, or registrations required to enter the position.

• Requires a valid State of Georgia Driver’s License and satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: “Experience Requirements” refers to the amount of work experience that is required for entry into the position that would result in reasonable expectation that the person can perform the tasks required by the position.

• Requires two years of related experience.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: “Physical Demands” refers to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Requires sedentary work involving standing or walking for brief periods, exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular basis, and moderate dexterity in operating machines or office equipment.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS: “Unavoidable Hazards” refers to unusual conditions in the work environment that may cause illness or injury.

• The position is exposed to extreme heat/cold, wet or humid conditions, bright/dim lights, dust or pollen and traffic.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: “Sensory Requirements” refers to hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell necessary to perform the tasks required by the position efficiently.

• The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, speaking and sense of smell.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

Cherokee County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.