Victim/Witness Coordinator/Facility Dog Handler

Victim/Witness Coordinator and Facility Dog Handler

Under general supervision, provides criminal justice system information, case status updates, restitution assistance, victim advocacy, witness support, crisis intervention, and referral services to victims and witnesses involved in criminal proceedings. The position monitors cases throughout the judicial process, verifies and processes claims for payment, coordinates travel, lodging, and property return arrangements, performs office support functions, and maintains case documentation.

Serves as the primary handler and caretaker of the District Attorney's Office Facility Dog, including responsibility for transportation, daily care, training maintenance, welfare, deployment, and after-hours care consistent with Facility Dog Program requirements.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator and Facility Dog Handler provides trauma-informed, victim-centered, and child-centered support services to victims, witnesses, and children participating in criminal, juvenile, child welfare, and related proceedings.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator Facility Dog Handler position is funded in whole or in part by grant funds and not by Humboldt County appropriations and may terminate when funding is no longer available. Continued employment beyond this time will be contingent upon satisfactory performance, compliance with Humboldt County policies and procedures, the continued availability of funds, and the needs of the department.

Examples of Duties

The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by an employee in this class. An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties which are not listed below.

1. Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the District Attorney's Office through teamwork, collaboration, and active participation.
2. Performs various office support duties including data entry, records management, filing, scheduling, and document preparation.
3. Operates standard office equipment, computers, software systems, and related technology.
4. Operates a motor vehicle to attend meetings, transport clients, transport the Facility Dog, attend training, and perform other assigned duties.
5. Demonstrates courteous, professional, and cooperative behavior when interacting with victims, witnesses, staff, attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, service providers, and members of the public.
6. Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office.

Victim and Witness Services

1. Provides information regarding the criminal justice system, restitution procedures, court processes, victims' rights, and case status to victims and witnesses in person, electronically, and by telephone.
2. Provides crisis intervention and emotional support services to victims and witnesses to assist in reducing trauma and facilitating adjustment.
3. Assists victims and witnesses with various criminal justice processes, including completion of forms, return of property, scheduling interviews, and communication with law enforcement and prosecutorial staff.
4. Provides referrals to community agencies and service providers for counseling, medical care, dental care, protective services, mental health services, childcare, housing, food, clothing, transportation, and related assistance.
5. Assists victims in obtaining compensation and restitution by assessing eligibility, assisting with claim preparation, and coordinating documentation.
6. Prepares correspondence, reports, victim impact statements, assessments, case records, and related documentation.
7. Maintains accurate records and documentation regarding victim and witness services.
8. Engages in community outreach and partners with governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, law enforcement agencies, advocacy organizations, and service providers.
9. Provides public education regarding victims' rights, victim services, and available resources.
10. Attends hearings, meetings, court proceedings, multidisciplinary team meetings, trainings, and related events.
11. Notifies victims of court appearances, case outcomes, legal status changes, sentencing hearings, parole proceedings, and release dates.
12. Assists with implementation of victims' rights requirements under applicable federal and state law.
13. Maintains strict confidentiality of victim information, case information, and restricted records.
14. Maintains and provides compliance with grant administration.
15. Other duties as assigned.

Facility Dog Program

Program Operations:

1. Serves as the designated primary handler of the District Attorney's Office Facility Dog.
2. Provides for the care, supervision, welfare, and control of the Facility Dog on a twenty-four (24) hour per day, seven (7) days per week basis unless alternative arrangements have been approved.
3. Ensures compliance with all Facility Dog Program policies, procedures, certification requirements, and applicable laws.
4. Coordinates Facility Dog scheduling, deployments, and program activities.
5. Maintains responsibility for the safe transportation, handling, supervision, and deployment of the Facility Dog.
6. Represents the District Attorney's Office on matters relating to the Facility Dog Program.

Victim and Witness Support Through Facility Dog Services:

1. Utilizes the Facility Dog to provide trauma-informed support to child victims, child witnesses, and other approved participants.
2. Assists children during interviews, court preparation, court proceedings, multidisciplinary team meetings, child welfare proceedings, juvenile proceedings, victim meetings, and other approved activities.
3. Evaluates requests for Facility Dog services and assists with scheduling and coordination of approved deployments.
4. Coordinates with prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, law enforcement personnel, Children's Advocacy Centers, social service agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and court personnel regarding Facility Dog services.
5. Ensures that Facility Dog services are administered in a neutral, trauma-informed, child-centered, and victim-centered manner.
6. Assists with implementation of accommodations involving allergies, asthma, disabilities, phobias, or other concerns related to the presence of the Facility Dog.

Animal Welfare:

1. Continually monitors the health, safety, and welfare of the Facility Dog.
2. Schedules and attends veterinary appointments, vaccinations, preventative care, and treatment as necessary.
3. Provides daily feeding, hydration, exercise, grooming, enrichment, transportation, supervision, and care.
4. Ensures the Facility Dog receives adequate rest, exercise, socialization, and opportunities to engage in normal canine behavior.
5. Notification to Supervisor of the need to suspend, postpone, modify or terminate Facility Dog activities when necessary to protect the health, safety or welfare of the Facility Dog or program participants.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Ability: KSAs are the attributes required to perform a job; generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or training.

Knowledge of :

• Criminal justice system practices and procedures.
• Victims' rights laws and victim services programs.
• Court operations and legal terminology.
• Crisis intervention and trauma-informed practices.
• Child development and child witness support techniques.
• Facility Dog Program operations and best practices.
• Animal behavior, handling, and safety practices.
• Recordkeeping principles and practices.
• Business English, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Computer software and applications related to the work.
• Applicable confidentiality requirements and ethical standards.

Skill in :

• Assisting victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process.
• Providing trauma-informed and victim-centered services.
• Working effectively with children and vulnerable populations.
• Safely handling and controlling a Facility Dog in a variety of environments.
• Evaluating and prioritizing multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and records.
• Maintaining accurate files and documentation.
• Communicating effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Operate standard office equipment, computers, software systems, and related technology.
• Recordkeeping

Ability to :

• Work independently and safely.
• Manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion.
• House, transport, supervise, and care for the Facility Dog in accordance with program requirements.
• Serve as the primary caretaker of the Facility Dog on a continuous basis as a condition