Champaign County
Job Description

Job Title: Victim Advocacy Program Director
Department: State's Attorney
Reports To: State's Attorney
FLSA Status: Exempt
Grade Range: H
Prepared Date: August, 2009

SUMMARY Performs tasks through providing services and information to alleviate the trauma of victims involved in crimes in Champaign County, Illinois.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provides direct services to felony and juvenile crime victims by initiating and maintaining contact with victims of felony crime committed in Champaign County.

Maintains enhanced contact with violent crime victims. Provides various services and support to crime victims during their involvement with the judicial system.

Reviews new cases daily to determine victim contact needs. Provides referrals and Crime Victim Compensation applications to qualified victims.

Accompanies victims of violent crime to court. Assists with the completion and reading of victim impact statements.

Creates and distributes printed information for use by crime victims with the approval of the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority.

May develop and present programs to groups regarding Victim Advocacy and available services (limited to 4 hours per month).

Maintains contact with outside agencies, particularly law enforcement and victim-oriented social services agencies - on behalf of individual crime victims.

Collects, maintains and complies with all laws, regulations and court requirements.

Prepares applications, quarterly reports, and closing reports for Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funding.

Provides education about victim services to Victim Advocacy Program staff and to the State's Attorney's staff.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES No direct supervisory responsibilities. Provides work direction to the Administrative Legal Secretary and Victim Advocacy Program volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university with a major in social work or counseling and previous experience in the criminal justice system and victim rights is beneficial; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as law enforcement reports, governmental or agency regulations and legal interpretations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and policy and procedure recommendations. Ability to speak effectively and courteously before individuals, public groups and employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Must have thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS As required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk; or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions. Occasionally will do home or on-site visits. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.