VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE

About the position Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is seeking a highly motivated person to join the Victim Services Division as a Victim Witness Advocate. Members of the Victim Services Division (VSD) are the primary liaisons for victims and witnesses in cases, investigations, and post-conviction federal habeas matters handled by the Attorney General’s Office. The primary goals of the VSD are: (1) to provide crisis assessment and intervention to crime victims and witnesses; (2) to reduce the level of secondary victimization associated with victims’ and witnesses’ involvement in the criminal justice system and other collateral systems; (3) to assist in the investigation and prosecution of crimes by fostering an effective, supportive, and positive relationship with victims and witnesses; and (4) to ensure that crime victims and witnesses are provided with the rights and services mandated by M.G.L. c. 258B. The Victim Witness Advocates (VWA’s) aid in investigations, prosecutions, and post-conviction hearings by working closely with victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. VSD works with all the divisions within the Criminal Bureau, as well as other select divisions across the Office. The Victim Witness Advocate is responsible for providing information, support, and advocacy services to victims, witnesses, and their families throughout the criminal justice process at the District Court level. The ability to work with victims and witnesses on criminal cases.

Responsibilities

• Working with Assistant Attorneys General, investigators, law enforcement partners, support service providers, and Trial Court personnel in the district court to ensure that victims receive rights they are entitled to as established in the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights (M.G.L. c. 258B).
• Providing daily in-court support during all hearings and trials. This includes providing daily information, updates, and advocacy services to victims, witnesses, and their families throughout the criminal justice process at the district court level.
• Reading daily ASCISS reports in anticipation of arraignments that may be coming into the district court for the day. Reach out to victims and witnesses prior to arraignments.
• Assisting victims with filling out 209A/258E restraining/harassment order applications and providing in court support through those processes.
• Placing victims on Bail Notification when necessary.
• Providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and support service referrals for victims to other state and community agencies.
• Responding to victim/witness inquiries, assess needs, and determine necessary support resources.
• Coordinating interpreter services for victim and witnesses.
• Providing victims and witnesses with post disposition services such as notification of release, CORI certification, SORB registration, and Probation information.
• Maintaining an assigned caseload, physical case files, and updates in OnBase with victim/witness information.
• Communicating with Superior Court Advocates on cases that will be considered for indictment.

Requirements

• Minimum of one to three years of experience in victim witness advocacy within the criminal justice system or other related work, such as experience in crisis intervention or human support services.
• Specialized experience working with multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement, prosecutors, investigators, and community victim service providers is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform duties in the district court in person Monday through Friday.

Nice-to-haves

• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply
• The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a connection to the people and communities we serve and an interest in supporting a respectful, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.

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