Victim Services Specialist II

Victim Services Specialist II

The Victim Services Specialist II plays a critical role in the post-sentencing phase by serving as a liaison between the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Department of Community Supervision, and victims, their families, and members of the community. The Specialist is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate communication, advocacy, and support for victims navigating the post-conviction process. This position will focus on community supervision-related notifications and issues, including restitution, unwanted communication complaints, and support for specialized victim outreach projects.

Core Responsibilities

• Victim Registration and Notifications
• Accurately processes victim registrations, protest investigations, and victim notifications.
• Conducts notifications to registered crime victims in compliance with statutory requirements of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Department of Corrections, or Department of Community Supervision.
• Logs assess and investigate correspondence, protests, and complaints from victims, families, and community members.
• Crisis Intervention and Advocacy
• Provides crisis intervention and communication services to support crime victims in urgent or complex situations.
• Coordinates and performs outreach initiatives relevant to victims and their families, ensuring their concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately.
• Liaison and Collaboration
• Acts as a liaison between victims, agency staff, and external service providers to facilitate clear and effective communication.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery and victim support.
• Specialized Responsibilities
• Complete Probation Termination Notifications in compliance with agency protocols and statutory requirements.
• Manage restitution-related issues, including victim outreach, coordination with external agencies, and documentation updates.
• Participate in the Restitution Project, ensuring timely reviews and entries that support victims' rights and access to restitution.
• Respond to unwanted communication complaints involving offenders under the supervision of the Department of Community Supervision (DCS).
• Process Probation Detention Center (PDC) Notifications and ensure timely, trauma-informed communication with victims.
• Process Probation-Only registrations, ensuring accurate entry and victim notification by agency procedure.
• Review and process Pardon notification cases by agency policy and statutory timelines.
• Review and process cases under consideration for the M.O.R.E. (Max Out for ReEntry) Program, ensuring timely victim notification and proper documentation.
• Review and process cases under consideration for placement at the Governor's Mansion.
• Other Duties and Assignments
• Completes additional duties, assignments, and projects as directed by division management.
• Adapts to shifting priorities and provides support where most needed.

Technical Competencies

• Advocacy Expertise: Strong understanding of victim advocacy principles and practices.
• Data Privacy: Comprehensive knowledge of best practices to protect sensitive data and ensure confidentiality.
• Problem Solving: Skilled in using data to analyze issues and inform business processes.
• Technical Proficiency: Intermediate skills in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) and Adobe software.
• Communication: Excellent written, oral, and organizational communication skills.
• Cultural Competency: Sensitivity to and experience working with diverse communities and cultural groups.
• Technical Efficiency: Ability to efficiently navigate multiple computer systems and visual displays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish).
• Credentialed Advocate (state or national certification).
• Experience working as a victim advocate or in victim services with the District Attorney's Office, State Board of Pardons and Paroles (PAP), Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), Department of Community Supervision (DCS), or the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).

The Department of Community Supervision is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other related statuses, protected by applicable state and federal statutes. Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation, when needed during the application or screening processes, by contacting the Office of Human Resources at human.resources@dcs.ga.gov.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you are an individual with a disability and wish to acquire this job announcements in an alternative format, or if you require assistance or other reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the selection process, you may contact the Office of Human Resources at ada.request@dcs.ga.gov.

Associate degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of job-related experience; or one (1) year of experience at the lower level Advocate 1 (SSP080) or position equivalent. Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.