Victim Specialist V - Leighton Courthouse - PFA / Schedule B

Job Title: Victim Specialist V/PFA/Schedule B (#466)

Reports to: Victim Witness Administrative Supervisor

Level: Entry

Salary: $64,745

Grade/Step: 15

Location: 2650 S California/Leighton Courthouse

Bureau: Victim Services

Division/Unit: Victim Witness

Application deadline: August 7, 2026

Working Environment: Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 8am – 4pm

Off: Sunday and Monday

Primary Function:

In compliance with state and national statutes governing victims’ rights, the Victim Specialist will provide victims with services under four broad categories of: Information/Education, Emotional Support, Safety and Concrete Services. Promotes the program, engages in community outreach and assists in the identification of community resources.

Physical Requirements:

Light Work: The position requires the ability to stand or walk frequently, often for extended periods. You may need to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 20 pounds regularly, and occasionally heavier items. The job may also involve a significant amount of walking or standing relative to sedentary roles.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop partnerships/Network with community organizations.
• Speak to community and civic organizations about underserved victim populations and the criminal court system in relation to the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Develop and implement training materials for internal and external partners surrounding underserved populations.
• Serve as a liaison between the victims, witnesses, and other personnel of the State’s Attorney’s Office
• Provide victim services falling under the broad categories of: Information/Education, Emotional Support, Safety, and Concrete Services
• Educate victims of their statutory rights under Illinois law
• Intervene in crisis situations, develop safety plans, and operate in cooperation with allied partners.
• Problem solves with peers, supervisors, Assistant State’s Attorneys, and allied professionals.
• Maintain current information on cases and work daily with supervisors and team members to plan for case actions and potential emergencies.
• Maintain statistics, databases and provide monthly reports regarding activity.
• Communicate program guidelines to CCSAO personnel as well as victims and witnesses.
• Potential travel between locations and in the field for interviews and victim support.
• Attend meetings as needed.
• Work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the unit.
• Interacts regularly with victims and witnesses of crime, many of whom are in high-risk situations.
• Interacts regularly with State’s Attorney’s Office employees.
• Regular access to confidential information.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required:

• The candidate must be an empathetic listener with knowledge of the rights of victims as defined by state and national law.

• Must have the ability to multi-task and possess excellent grammar, organizational and communication skills.
• The candidate must be able to work flexible hours.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word applications.
• Assignment to specialty areas such as DV/SA, LGBT/Hate Crimes, and relocation require specialized training in these areas in addition to two years’ experience in related field.
• The candidate must be versed in writing orders of protection and have at least 1yrs working experience with Domestic Violence cases.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant program (social work, counseling or criminal justice) preferred. 5 years + experience within the Victim Witness or related program will be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.

• Knowledge of CCSAO databases and/or ability to learn is important.
• Bilingual Proficiency (especially Spanish, Polish, Arabic).

Equal Employment Opportunity

EEO Message: The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.