Summary

FLSA: Exempt

DEFINITION

Under direction, plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the County’s Victim Assistance Bureau and programs in accordance with state mandated guidelines, County regulations and grant funding requirements; directs the work of staff which provide direct services to the County’s violent crime victims (victims); responsibilities include implementing and administering program services to be offered; recommends and implements program goals and objectives; performs the most complex case management and/or victim compensation related tasks; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the District Attorney or designee. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical program staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This single position classification has full administrative responsibility for coordination and management of operations in the Victim Assistance Bureau and the program, which provides victim services and support to the community. Program responsibilities include, but are not limited to, program planning, implementation, and management, supervising the work of program staff, managing daily operations, grant administration and budgeting, assessing programmatic effectiveness and recommending changes, preparing a variety of program reports and documents, evaluation and provision of direct services and assistance and referral to victims in a variety of sensitive and complex cases.

Essential Job Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Plans, organizes, and manages the Victim Assistance Bureau and the work of staff supporting programs which provide direct services to victims of violent crimes, and assistance to District Attorney prosecutors and staff as appropriate.
• Ensures that the program is staffed with qualified individuals by resolving performance problems, documenting performance according to policy; training and developing staff; and assisting in the selection, hiring, and promotion of staff.
• Develops and implements procedures to meet state mandates, grant and agreement requirements, or at the direction of the department.
• Coordinates with Court personnel, law enforcement agency staff, service providers, governmental agencies, non-profit services and community groups to develop protocols and enhance services that address the needs of victims.
• Provides crisis intervention, victim service referrals and support and explanations to victims of crime during the judicial process.
• Manages the program’s daily work activities and operations, by establishing performance levels, communicating goals and performance expectations, and monitoring and reviewing work to ensure conformance to established policies and procedures, and standards for quality and timeliness.
• Prepares grant applications and administers funding, providing all necessary documentation for compliance.
• Assesses service delivery to communicate findings to upper management; implements changes to improve efficiency and service quality; maximizes effectiveness of program operations and ensures alignment with the department’s mission.
• Interprets laws and regulations, including new laws and proposed legislation, to determine relevancy to program operations and services; affirms program compliance, or takes measures to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Provides legal opinions to prosecution teams pertaining to victim rights and restitution issues.
• Develops and implements education and information programs and case management methods and standards; trains staff to ensure they perform work consistent with established standards.
• Prepares a variety of administrative and technical reports, business correspondence and presentations; presents reports to internal and external stakeholders; arranges or conducts outreach presentations to community and advocacy groups.
• Conducts the full range of Victim case management duties on more complex cases.
• Serves as a staff resource by providing consultation and guidance to staff or other County management and employees with respect to service delivery or operational effectiveness issues.
• Works with internal County staff and external agencies, community groups, and other public and private organizations on program services.
• Ensures information regarding services and policies is provided accurately and thoroughly to interested parties and responds to the most sensitive complaints from the community and staff.
• Attends and participates in interagency meetings, professional group meetings, trainings and conferences; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in providing services to crime victims.
• Responds to incidents of mass violence/casualties as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services provided within a comprehensive victim program, including the California Victim Compensation Program.
• County, department and program-specific policies and procedures.
• Laws, processes and procedures of the criminal justice system and rules and regulations as they affect the responsibilities and rights of victims of crime.
• Principles and practices of program implementation and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including planning and assigning work, performance review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of case management.
• Basic principles and practices of grant development, administration, and compliance.
• Methods and techniques of working with individuals who have been traumatized by crime.
• Basic psychology and sociology principles as they relate to crime victims.
• Methods and techniques of assessing community needs for victim program support.
• Resources within the community to supplement program services.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of complex recordkeeping and documentation.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Effectively manage and administer program operations and activities.
• Provide emotional support to reduce trauma experienced by victims.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Adapt to changes in priorities or resources that impact pre-established timelines and courses of action.
• Delegate work assignments and appropriate level of responsibility to employees in order to ensure the completion of work assignments and projects.
• Perform the more complex case management tasks.
• Apply knowledge of current laws, regulations, and policies to identify solutions and courses of action that are most appropriate or effective.
• Ensure the maintenance and retention of complex records, files, reports and other documents.
• Generate a variety of business documents including letters, memoranda, reports and other written materials.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate ideas and legal issues clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, social services or a related field, with a Master’s degree desired; and

Five (5) years of experience in paraprofessional crisis intervention counseling, including two (2) years of lead or supervisor experience.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
• Mobility to travel and attend mandatory trainings and meetings.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and exposure to allergens and biologic/infectious agents.
• Interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes a motor vehicle, personal computer, and standard office equipment.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.