The Role
Provides trauma-informed advocacy and case support to crime victims in felony and juvenile cases. Coordinates statutory notifications, victim impact statements, restitution, compensation applications, crisis intervention, safety planning, courtroom accompaniment, referrals, and community partnerships. Manages Victim Rights grant reporting, program documentation, case records, and operational updates while serving as a resource to prosecutors, court staff, and justice-system partners.
Summary Generated by Built In
GRADE: Unified R7 ($28.99 - $35.33)
JOB SUMMARY:
Provides comprehensive, trauma-informed advocacy and case support to crime victims in accordance with the Crime Victim Rights Act (CVRA), with primary responsibility for felony cases and juvenile criminal sexual conduct cases. Coordinates Victim Rights Unit grant reporting and program requirements, assists with unit coverage and operational changes, and serves as a resource to prosecutors, court staff, and community partners on victim rights matters.
ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:
PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, social behavior or related field. OR graduation from high school, two (2) years work in criminal justice, law enforcement, social sciences, or related field and two (2) years’ experience in the legal system or progressively responsible community service agency, and two (2) years as a Victim Advocate II, and one (1) year of supervisory experience with crime victim related agency. OR and satisfactory equivalent combination of experience or training
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen. Applicant must complete County application form.
Attend applicable PAAC/PAAM training’s and Michigan Victim Assistance Academy
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the general direction of the Prosecutor.
WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is primarily conducted in an office setting. Courtroom appearances may be required. Some travel may be required to courts, trainings, and victim/witness forum meetings.
Works under the direct supervision of the Prosecuting Attorney who outlines duties and reviews work for conformance with the Victim Rights Act and department standards. May be required to write grants.
JOB SUMMARY:
Provides comprehensive, trauma-informed advocacy and case support to crime victims in accordance with the Crime Victim Rights Act (CVRA), with primary responsibility for felony cases and juvenile criminal sexual conduct cases. Coordinates Victim Rights Unit grant reporting and program requirements, assists with unit coverage and operational changes, and serves as a resource to prosecutors, court staff, and community partners on victim rights matters.
ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:
- Working knowledge of the Crime Victim Rights Act (CVRA), criminal justice system, court proceedings, legal terminology, and Prosecuting Attorney Office procedures.
- Ability to provide trauma-informed, victim-centered crisis intervention, safety planning, education, referrals, and courtroom support.
- Ability to manage complex victim cases, statutory notification requirements, grant deadlines, program reporting, and detailed case records with accuracy and confidentiality.
- Ability to prepare reports, grant materials, correspondence, presentations, and other program documentation.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with victims, prosecutors, probation and court staff, law enforcement, service providers, and community partners.
- Familiarity with community resources and victim-service programs, including Crime Victim Compensation, MI VINE, the Address Confidentiality Program, and Michigan Department of Corrections victim services.
- Ability to independently solve problems, adapt to program and procedural changes, exercise sound judgment, and coordinate work and information across the Victim Rights Unit.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Manage assigned felony and juvenile criminal sexual conduct cases and provide coverage throughout the County as needed in coordination with the Victim Rights Advocate.
- Provide notices and information to crime victims as required by the CVRA, including initial victim rights information within applicable statutory timeframes and notifications regarding scheduled court proceedings, conviction, the right to make a statement, disease testing when applicable, final disposition, and available MDOC victim services.
- Collect and process Victim Impact Statements (VIS); assist victims with completing statements; and obtain victim input for sentencing, disposition, restitution, and other case-related matters.
- Provide trauma-informed, victim-centered education, referrals, crisis intervention, safety planning, bond-condition support, and other direct services to crime victims throughout the criminal and juvenile court process.
- Assist victims with restitution by gathering and calculating documented losses when appropriate, obtaining needed information, and communicating with probation or court staff on the victim’s behalf.
- Administer direct victim-needs assistance using available 5% funding in accordance with State guidelines and office policy.
- Provide courtroom accompaniment and advocacy for victims at hearings they choose to attend and provide advocacy during victim meetings with prosecutors.
- Assist victims with Crime Victim Compensation (CVC), including applications, State submissions and follow-up, filing applicable notices, and explaining the distinction between CVC and restitution to victims and justice-system partners.
- Assist victims with MI VINE, the Address Confidentiality Program, Michigan Department of Corrections victim services, jail information, and other appropriate victim-service resources.
- Assist victims in juvenile cases with post-disposition questions and concerns, including coordination with probation regarding restitution, apology letters, and other follow-up matters.
- Attend monthly Domestic Violence Task Force meetings and Child Advocacy Center case-review meetings; provide case or court updates as appropriate; and support County Victim Team topics, presentations, and agency communication.
- Manage Victim Rights grant requirements, including monthly Financial Status Reports, quarterly work plans, the annual application, annual end-of-year report, annual program narrative, and other required grant documentation and deadlines.
- Review and adjust PBK letters and codes to support accurate grant reporting and provide the Victim Rights Advocate with updated information regarding grant reporting and PBK changes.
- Serve as a resource for Victim Rights Unit changes, questions, and assistance for prosecutors and other court staff; coordinate with the Office Manager and Victim Rights Advocate to implement and communicate applicable program or office updates.
- Maintain accurate records of victim contacts, correspondence, notices, services, court activity, grant-related information, and other required program documentation.
QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, social behavior or related field. OR graduation from high school, two (2) years work in criminal justice, law enforcement, social sciences, or related field and two (2) years’ experience in the legal system or progressively responsible community service agency, and two (2) years as a Victim Advocate II, and one (1) year of supervisory experience with crime victim related agency. OR and satisfactory equivalent combination of experience or training
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Employment is dependent on background check, criminal history, and drug screen. Applicant must complete County application form.
Attend applicable PAAC/PAAM training’s and Michigan Victim Assistance Academy
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the general direction of the Prosecutor.
WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is primarily conducted in an office setting. Courtroom appearances may be required. Some travel may be required to courts, trainings, and victim/witness forum meetings.
Works under the direct supervision of the Prosecuting Attorney who outlines duties and reviews work for conformance with the Victim Rights Act and department standards. May be required to write grants.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, social behavior, or a related field
- Alternative qualification: high school graduation, two years of criminal justice, law enforcement, social sciences, or related work, two years of legal-system or progressively responsible community-service agency experience, two years as a Victim Advocate II, and one year of supervisory experience with a crime victim-related agency
- Satisfactory equivalent combination of experience or training
- Completion of applicable PAAC or PAAM training and Michigan Victim Assistance Academy training
- Completion of at least 16 hours of continuing education annually
- Successful background check, criminal history review, and drug screen
- Completion of the County application form
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The Company
What We Do
The Van Buren County Public Defender's Office's mission is to protect the constitutional rights of people accused of crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney, serving as advocates and defending individual freedom.
