Victim Witness Program Assistant

Position Information

Are you committed to the ideals of public safety, justice, and healing? If you are, you will find a fulfilling workplace at the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office!

The Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney for Arlington County is seeking to fill an entry level grant-funded Victim Witness Program Assistant position to provide administrative support to the Victim Witness Program staff and provide guidance to victims of crime, some of whom speak Spanish and may have difficulty communicating in English.

The Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is an "at-will" office. Employees are not subject to the same employment protections as other County employees.

Specific duties include:

• Contacting victims of crimes to explain legal and courtroom procedures, assisting in filing claims with the Virginia Victims Fund, and providing pertinent information on social service agencies and resource programs;

• Serving as liaison with victims, prosecution, law enforcement, court officials, and allied professionals;

• Providing crisis intervention and referrals for supportive counseling to minimize the traumatic impact of crime and the criminal justice process;

• Using the police department's database to obtain and review police reports to assist with preparing cases for trial;

• Compiling information relevant to cases;

• Assisting victims and providing information on their rights and on the court process;

• Representing the Victim/Witness Program in community events and/or providing training on victim services;

• Learn and become conversant about restorative justice.

• Tracking cases and services provided to victims using the Virginia Services Data Collection System (VSDCS) and Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK) case management system; and

• Performing administrative functions such as preparing court dockets, composing letters and narrative reports, filing, faxing, answering phones and ordering program supplies.

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, highly organized individual with excellent time management and communication skills (oral and written) and has the ability to work with a diverse population.

The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is committed to transformative justice in the promotion of effective victim/survivor services, evidence-based diversion programs, and racial justice. Working in a major metropolitan area's prosecutor's office offers you a broad spectrum of experience and provides ample opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and comradery. The Office is responsible for both adult and juvenile prosecutions for crimes that range from DUI to aggravated assaults, complex fraud investigations, rapes, and murders. Victim Witness Assistants are an essential member of the team supporting victims/survivors, specifically centering voice, agency, and mitigating trauma throughout the criminal legal process.

Selection Criteria

Minimum:

• High school diploma or GED;

• At least one year of experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary or providing direct client informational support in a criminal justice or court system environment; and

• Completion of a paralegal certificate program recognized by the American Bar Association.

Substitution: Additional experience in a legal office performing paralegal tasks may be substituted for the paralegal certificate program requirement.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates who are able to learn, grow and adapt with flexibility, humility, and self-reflection and have the following experience:

• Case and docket management;

• Working in a restorative justice system;

• Working in a fast-paced professional environment;

• Using Prosecutor by Karpel (PBK) or a similar case management software;

• Using Microsoft Office Word and Outlook; and/or

• Bilingual ability in English/Spanish.

Special Requirements

A background check will be conducted on all candidates who are finalists for the position. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit check and may require signing a release authorizing the County to obtain this information. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record and criminal history.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is an entry level position.

Salary Information: This position is partially funded by a VA Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) grant.

Benefits Information: https://careers.arlingtonva.us/working-arlington/benefits/.

The official title for this position is Paralegal I B.

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office is an "at-will" office. Employees are not subject to the same employment protections as other County employees.

The official title for these positions is Paralegal I B.

For more information on Arlington's generous benefits, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

#LI-Onsite

Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.

The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-228-3559 (voice) or email pers@arlingtonva.us.

Eligibility for Arlington County Government employee benefits depends on your position type (permanent or temporary) and your status (full-time or part-time).

More detailed information on benefits and conditions of employment is available on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.

Permanent, Full-Time Appointments

All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:

Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of five hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases gradually until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Paid parental and family leave benefits are also offered. Leave is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays: There are eleven paid fixed holidays each year, as well as two floating holidays. Initial allotment of floating holidays may vary based on when you are hired.

Health and Dental Insurance: Four group health insurance plans are offered - a health maintenance organization, two plans with in-network only coverage, and a high-deductible plan with in and out-of-network coveerage, along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Group dental insurance is also offered, with two options for coverage. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. The County also contributes to the HSA.

Life Insurance: Basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance may be purchased for yourself, spouse, and/or children.

Retirement: The County retirement program is made up of three parts: a defined benefit (pension) plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. The County also contributes to this plan. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service.

For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)). The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to save for retirement on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your pay. A variety of investment options are available for the 401(a) and 457 plans.

Other Benefits: The County also offers health care, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other benefits.

Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:

Part-time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.

Limited Term Appointments:

Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.

Temporary Regular Appointments:

Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:

Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.

01

Please check ALL which describe your abilities as it relates to the minimum requirements. I have:

• A high school diploma or GED.

• Completed a paralegal certificate program recognized by the American Bar Association.

• One year of experience working in a criminal justice or court system environment.

• None of the above.

02

How many years of experience do you have as a paralegal, legal assistant, or legal secretary?

• None

• Less than 1 year

• 1 bur less than 2 years

• 2 years or more

03

Please check ALL which describe your additional training and experience as it relates to the desired qualifications. I have additional training and experience in:

• Case and docket management.

• Working in a restorative justice system.

• Working in a fast-paced professional environment.

• Using Prosecutor by Karpel or similar case management software.

• Using Microsoft Word and Outlook.

• None of the above.

04

Please describe your experience managing case dockets. Be sure to detail any additional duties that were involved with managing case dockets. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.

05

Please describe your experience providing direct client informational support in a legal, court, human services or related environment. Include specific details of your role and the type of information provided and how the information was obtained/maintained for accuracy. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A" in the space below.

06

Describe your proficiency in speaking and understanding Spanish by checking ONE of the answers below:

• I do not speak or understand Spanish
• I speak and understand Spanish if the conversation is slow and simple.
• I speak and understand Spanish sufficiently well to answer general, multi-part questions.
• I speak and understand Spanish fluently and can communicate on most general knowledge subjects with accuracy and precision.

Required Question

Agency Arlington County

Address 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 511

Arlington, Virginia, 22201

Phone 703-228-3500

Website https://careers.arlingtonva.us/