Under direction of a supervisor or management, performs a variety of operational, supportive, and administrative duties within assigned division of the District Attorney’s Office; provides information and services to crime victims and witnesses; provides trial support; coordinates victim and witness court appearances; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

District Attorney Services Specialist I

This is the entry-level class for District Attorney Services Specialist series. Incumbent will process reports and documents in strict adherence to State law and Department procedures. Incumbent is expected to keep current on changes in report and document processing requirements. Incumbent will operate a Departmental case management system and related systems in strict accordance with the law. This class series requires the ability to provide appropriate information and answer basic questions from the public related to the criminal justice system, both in-person and over the telephone.

District Attorney Services Specialist II

This is the journey level position within the series. In addition to the above, incumbents will be assigned to more increasingly difficult tasks within the Department, including being responsive to the needs of victims of crimes, demonstrating sensitivity to and establishing rapport with victims of crime, and exhibiting emotional stability under conditions of high stress. Incumbents will be able to assist victims in recovering their personal property held in evidence, facilitate victim compensation applications, and provide court accompaniment. Incumbent is eligible for assignment to the Victim Services division, wherein Incumbent must successfully complete required trainings and must exhibit a high level of understanding of the specific duties and prohibited activities under prevailing program restrictions, including VOCA regulations, State and Federal grantor regulations, and the Penal Code.

District Attorney Services Specialist III

This is the advanced level position within the series. In addition to the above, responsibilities require the frequent use of initiative and independent judgment in scheduling and coordination of office activities and in dealing with sensitive assignments. Incumbents are responsible for the more complex assignments, including vertical assignments to a trial team in complex and high-profile cases, and work with greater independence from close review. Incumbents can work effectively with victims, witnesses, and prosecutors with limited supervision in more serious cases and in rapidly changing situations and circumstances. Incumbents may arrange for transportation, escort, and support for witnesses and victims during court appearances in more serious cases.

District Attorney Services Specialist IV

This is the senior level position within the series. In addition to the above, incumbents will work with minimal review, may be assigned to carry out special assignments in support of the assigned division, and may be part of complex multi-disciplinary teams. Incumbents may be tasked with collecting data and preparing reports for their assigned division of the Department and may act in a lead capacity by providing training and guidance to subordinates and developing and maintaining special programs. Incumbent is able to develop or advance a comprehensive crisis response and mass victimization assistance plan structured to identify and respond to victim needs such as: safety, food, shelter, and immediate services in the aftermath of a crime-related mass victimization or terrorism incident.

(Duties vary depending on assignment)

• Operates Departmental case management system and related systems in strict accordance with the law.
• Operates a word processor, email, or other system for required public, Departmental, and external agency communications.
• Attends court and accompanies victims and witnesses to court as directed.
• Trains or assists in training of personnel.
• Prepares, maintains, and tracks proper flow of information, documents, and forms.
• Performs various operational duties, such as answering phones, processing mail, maintaining supplies, transcribing, typing, filing, etc.
• Ensures proper tracking, and prepares and processes property release forms, and assists victims in recovering personal property held in evidence.
• Prepares applications for victim compensation by obtaining necessary information and documents, completing and submitting claims to State Victims Compensation Board.
• Obtain necessary information from victims, witnesses, and others through interview and observation for matters including preparation and coordination of court appearances.
• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of case activities; provides victims, witnesses, and others with information, education regarding the criminal justice system.
• Reviews reports from law enforcement agencies and contacts victims or witnesses as directed; accurately and timely documenting contact; maintaining contact as directed.
• Responds to crime scenes, once deemed secure, as directed, to offer victim assistance or provide services.
• Performs outreach services to victims; make presentations and provide victim centered training to partner agencies, make public presentations and conduct publicity.
• If assigned to Victim Services division, prepares functional time sheets and record keeping to ensure compliance with prevailing program restrictions.

Knowledge of:

District Attorney Services Specialist I/II/III/IV

General principals of criminal law and procedures including a basic knowledge of the laws on discovery and evidence; operations, procedures, specific rules, and professional standards of the Department; effective crime victim and witness communication techniques, modern methods to maintain contact with victims and witnesses, applicable legal procedures, rules of confidentiality, and community resources for crime victims; modern office methods and practices including common software and web based applications; business English, including vocabulary, correct grammatical usage and punctuation; modem filing methods; common office machines and their operation, including use of personal computers.

Ability To: 

District Attorney Services Specialist I/II/III/IV

Understand and apply established program guidelines; effectively communicate both orally and in writing in routine and high pressure situations; prepare, maintain, and review documents, records and reports with accuracy and in an organized manner; maintain a high degree of maturity, integrity, loyalty, accountability, sound judgment, and confidentiality; establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including co-workers, court personnel, law enforcement, crime victims and witnesses, and the public; assist in the developing and implementing of goals, objectives, work sites, policies, procedures, and work standards; evaluate situations accurately and adopt or recommend solutions; carry out complex oral and written directions; read and understand legal forms; read, understand and apply legislative and administrative laws, codes and regulations as directed; and type accurately at a net rate of 60 words per minute.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training, experience and education, which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

District Attorney Services Specialist I 

Equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by college-level course work in administration or technical subjects related to the area in which assigned and two (2) years of responsible office administrative support experience.

District Attorney Services Specialist II 

One year of experience in a position comparable to a District Attorney Services Specialist I. In addition, candidates must demonstrate competency in technical work. A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field can substitute for up to two (2) years of position specific experience. Successful completion of Victim Advocate training required within one year of appointment.

District Attorney Services Specialist III 

Three years of experience in a position comparable to a District Attorney Services Specialist II. In addition, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in basic law enforcement and court procedures and in assisting victims and witnesses of crime. A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field can substitute for up to two (2) years of position specific experience. Successful completion of a POST approved law enforcement academy can substitute one (1) year of position specific experience. Successful completion of advanced Victim Advocate training required within one year of appointment.

District Attorney Services Specialist IV

Five years of experience in a position comparable to a District Attorney Services Specialist III. In addition, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in court and evidence tracking procedures, demonstrate the ability to communicate and support victims and witnesses of crime in sensitive cases, and be able to understand legislative and administrative laws, codes and regulations as directed. A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field can substitute for up to two (2) years of position specific experience. Successful completion of a POST approved law enforcement academy can substitute one (1) year of position specific experience. 

Possession of an appropriate California driver’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Must pass the California State Department of Justice Criminal History Background check.