Salary
$50,930.54 - $95,360.11 Annually
Job Number
23CAO700JSS026
Closing
5/8/2023 11:59 PM Central
Description
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office (CAO) is seeking a Legal Services Specialist advocate to provide culturally specific advocacy and assistance to victims of all felony level, juvenile misdemeanor, and domestic violence cases in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, primarily with the African American community. This position will provide advocacy, support, and referrals for crime victims as their cases move through the criminal justice process. Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program. Location and hours:
This position is located at the Government Center, 300 6th South Minneapolis, MN 55487. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. About the position type: This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Legal Services Specialist. Click here to view the job classification specification. In this position, you will:
· Work on homicide, domestic violence, assault, property, and other case types with a focus on the African American communities.
· Develop and participate in community engagement, outreach, and education efforts with the African American community, with emphasis on racial disparity reduction.
· Assess client needs and develop appropriate service and safety plans with clients.
· Review case files and interview crime victims and witnesses.
· Consult with prosecuting attorneys and advocate and relay victim perspectives and wishes to ensure compliance with office policy and victims' rights.
· Provide information to victims, witnesses, and families regarding the legal system and victims' rights.
· Prepare victims and vulnerable witnesses to participate in the court process and prepare victim impact statements; attend court hearings with victims.
· Dually serve as advocate and liaison between the CAO, victims, and outside agencies.
· Provide follow up services to victims and families including short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and ongoing support; assist victims in the completion of documentation and paperwork for financial assistance including reparations and restitutions; assist clients in pursuing legal remedies through the docketing or conciliation court process; assist victims in return of property taken as evidence.
· Prepare and maintain case records, reports, correspondence, and memorandums.
· Gather and document statistical data on victim demographics.
· Assist victims in applying for Orders for Protection.
Need to have:
· One of the following:
o Bachelor's degree or higher which includes or is supplemented by forty approved upper division quarter college credits in the behavioral and social sciences (e.g., psychology, criminal justice, sociology, etc.) and one year or more of experience performing duties related to the classification.
o Forty (40) approved upper division quarter college credits in the behavioral/social sciences (e.g., psychology, criminal justice, sociology, etc.) and two years or more of related experience.
Nice to have:
· Experience:
o Advocating for individuals or a population.
o Working with victims of crime, the justice system, including juvenile and adult court, and community resources.
o Working with oppressed, underserved, or racially discriminated against communities.
o Promoting the interests of victims with attorneys, criminal justice personnel, and community agencies, while applying policies, rules, and procedures.
o Utilizing existing community and/or system resources available to crime victims and/or individuals impacted by crime.
o Providing legal advocacy services to clients from diverse cultural and/or socioeconomic backgrounds and/or communities impacted by poverty, racism, gang violence and/or distrust of police and governmental agencies.
o Working and/or volunteering with individuals and/or families impacted by trauma.
o Providing victims and/or witnesses of crimes counseling, referrals advocacy and/or trial preparation services.
· Knowledge of:
o Dynamics of victimization and the impact of traumatic incidents, such as death, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, incest, and other crimes.
o The criminal justice system.
o Counseling techniques.
o Available system and community resources.
o An understanding of institutional and systemic racism, its impact on communities and individuals, and a desire to eliminate racial disparities and address the trauma caused by institutional and systemic racism.
· Ability to:
o Display cultural competence when working with victims from all cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses, primarily with the African American community.
o Provide trauma informed services.
o Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
o Establish and maintain effective working relationships with victims, witnesses, families, criminal justice professionals, community agencies, and the public.
· If you have any questions, please contact: Jeffrey Smith-Sharp
· jeffrey.smith-sharp@hennepin.us