Address
Form of workPosition: Victim Witness Coordinator
Unit: Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit
Vacancies: 1
Company Description
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. Our Assistant District Attorneys are dedicated to public service, public safety, and justice for all involved in the criminal justice system.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in particular is committed to several citywide collaborations aimed at reducing Philadelphia’s jail population and improving the criminal justice system overall.
**Please note that effective September 1, 2021, the City of Philadelphia requires all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. **
To attain a job with the city, you must be a city of Philadelphia resident within 6 months (180 days) of hire and able to work completely in the office.
Summary of Job
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is seeking a Family Violence and Sexual Assault (FVSA) Unit Victim/Witness Coordinator to provide services to and advocacy for victims and witnesses of crime. The Victim/Witness coordinator will work in the FVSA Unit. The Coordinator is required to be familiar with, understand and implement the rights of crime victims as outlined in the Crime Victims Act, the Victims’ Bill of Rights, as well as those activities outlined in the Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards as directed by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. In addition, all program staff are required to complete professional development training each calendar year. This position is an onsite, full-time position.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provide victim outreach in preparation for Court, including court accompaniment and prep accompaniment.
- Work with the assigned ADA and identify victims and witnesses specific needs.
- Inform victims of their rights and services.
- Provide services by responding to walk-in clients, incoming telephone inquiries, written correspondence and other requests. Services may include counseling referrals, transportation to and from court, retrieval of personal property held as evidence, assistance with restitution, language interpretation, relocation assistance, etc.
- Provide case status updates pre/during/post case disposition by letter/telephone/in-person communication.
- Work with Assistant District Attorneys to insure victims are aware of upcoming proceedings and any plea offers.
- Work with Assistant District Attorneys to obtain comment from the victims to incorporate in decision making.
- Collaborate with community and other criminal justice agencies.
- Document all correspondence in DAOCMS.
Education
- All qualified applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university; degrees in criminal justice, psychology, social work, counseling, or related degrees are preferred but not required.
Qualifications
- A minimum of 1 year of experience as a Victim Witness Coordinator in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, is preferred. Experience working with child victim or domestic violence victims is also preferred.
- Candidates must be organized, flexible and capable of working under pressure.
- Excellent speaking, writing, and listening skills are a must; ability to converse and/or write in multiple languages is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is desirable.
- The ability to develop and cultivate effective internal/external working relationships is essential, as is an understanding of the uniquely sensitive and confidential nature of the professional services provided by the Office.
Rewards/Benefits
This is an exempt employee with the City of Philadelphia. Immediately upon assuming office, new hire will receive benefits similar to those of other City of Philadelphia employees, including the benefits noted below:
- Generous retirement savings options available (pension plan and etc.)
- We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PFLF) Program qualified employer
- We offer comprehensive health coverage (medical, vision, prescription and dental) for employees and their eligible dependents
- Annual paid time off (PTO) package: 10 vacation days, 15 sick leave days, 11 paid holidays, 5 annual administrative leave
- Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
- Before tax commuter program
- Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Sick leave bonuses and exchanges
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Applications will be active for one year from the date of receipt by the Office.
All exempt employees of the District Attorney’s Office are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the District Attorney. The at-will relationship shall not be modified for any employee and no agreement, oral or written, shall be entered into that changes the at-will relationship.
** The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. **
