Victim Specialist (Probation Counselor II) | Fairfax County Government

Victim Specialist (Probation Counselor II)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Job Number: 23-00891
Salary: $59,685.39 - $99,475.38 Annually
Closing Date: April 7, 2023


The Court Services Unit of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is seeking to fill the position of Victim Specialist. This position is located in the Fairfax County Courthouse and is under the general supervision of the Victim Services Unit Program Manager.

Provides trauma-informed supportive services to victims and witnesses of juvenile crime in the jurisdiction of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the towns of Herndon and Vienna, who are involved in the criminal justice system of Fairfax County.

Receives case assignments and investigates the nature of the offense to determine the needs of the client. Contact victims to provide crisis intervention, resource and referral, and victims’ rights information; explains the criminal justice process and provides notification of future court dates. Make appropriate referrals to other agencies or community resources. Provide courtroom advocacy to victims and witnesses, orient clients on the court process. Collaborate with stakeholders to provide consistent and thorough information and services to clients. Provide Victim Impact, Core Values and Shoplifting Prevention Classes to diverted and adjudicated offenders under the jurisdiction of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Provide restitution information to Court Services Unit Staff, victims of crime and defendants. Provide case management and facilitation of Restorative Justice Cases.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Victims Services

• Provides supportive services to victims and witnesses of crime involved in the criminal justice system including emotional support, financial assistance, counseling, and victim agency referrals;
• Maintains on-going contact/communication with victims and witnesses during investigation and judicial proceedings, and provides notifications of investigative activity or case developments as needed;
• Provides court accompaniment to crime victim and witnesses for all court proceedings in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and Circuit Courts;
• Reduces delays in bringing cases to court by assisting in determining availability of victims and witnesses;
• Responds to call-outs to crime scenes and other locations to provide immediate crisis intervention and support, refers clients to related supportive services and agencies;
• Operates a county vehicle to provide the effective delivery of services to victims and witnesses including transporting victims and witnesses to court hearings, commonwealth's attorneys meetings and other court related appointments;
• Provides assistance by administering and providing services designed to enhance coordination among agencies operating within the criminal justice system;
• Works with and assists the officers and detectives within their district station assignment or the criminal investigations bureau with the proper victim services and referrals;
• Encourage citizen awareness and participation through public information and education.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of casework supervision practices and procedures;
• Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;
• Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;
• Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work and victim services;
• Ability to interview and counsel clients;
• Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education plus two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling. A master's degree in the disciplines above may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position is considered "essential personnel" and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check and Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Three years of professional work experience working in the victim services field directly working with victims of crime.
• Ideal candidate will have extensive experience working in a court system environment.
• Must be available to work occasional evening hours to meet the needs of crime victims.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, must be able to travel to different locations, as needed. Visual acuity is required to read computer monitor and the incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Must be able to communicate clearly both in person and over the telephone. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.