Job Specification
Position Title:
TEAM LEAD, VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Job Code:
03523 - Executive Officer 2
Purpose of Position :
To provide technical expertise and group leadership to staff in assessing the needs of victim/witnesses of crime and providing a full range of services, including needs assessment, crisis intervention, information, emotional support and/or referrals, during their involvement in the criminal justice system up to disposition of criminal court proceedings.
Duties / Responsibilities :
In the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (V/WAP), the position provides leadership to local area operational and administrative activities; supports the operations of the programs and provides information, support and assistance to victims/witnesses of crimes and advocates on their behalf.
Oversees the activities of the staff, students and volunteers of the V/WAP Office by providing orientation, technical guidance and direction, tracking staff attendance, determining and recommending training and technical and development needs to the manager, determining work priorities and assigning work to staff (regular caseload, daily assignments/scheduled) and providing input to the V/WAP Manager regarding performance standards and performance management of staff.
As requested by the Manager, assists in responding to requests for information from Corporate Office, Regional Office, and the local Crown Attorneys Office by preparing comprehensive statistical reports and collecting data for assessment.
Identifies gaps in services/procedures for all clients and stakeholders and provides input, suggestions and ideas on improvements to protocols, procedures and processes respecting effective operation and administration of the Program and alerts manager to critical issues impacting on program operations. On the direction of the Manager, implements protocols with a broad range of judicial partners and community stakeholders.
Represents V/WAP at committee meetings in the community to provide, support and advice regarding the program. Facilitates issue resolution, response to complaints and concerns regarding service delivery and program effectiveness, escalating issues to manager where appropriate.
Develops and delivers information, training and public education programs and resources (e.g., literature, published materials, lists of resources) regarding the criminal justice system, victim issues and the V/WAP to the police, Crown attorneys and judiciary to community stakeholders.
Monitors and reports to the Manager any concerns or issues related to facilities, office furniture and equipment, I.T. and communication equipment, and health and safety concerns.
Plans and coordinates the development and implementation of the local volunteer program which support the provisions of assistance to victims and witnesses in response to their needs.
Ensures policy and procedure manual is up-to-date, and develops new internal processes/procedures as needed and/or as directed by the manager.
Manages and coordinates assigned caseload by: reviewing Crown files and referrals from police and community agencies; establishing and maintaining contact with clients from inception to disposition of criminal cases, assessing and evaluating client service needs, preparing a service plan and providing appropriate services.
Acts as liaison between clients and community agency personnel, government organizations, Crown Counsel, and police to advocate for the needs/interests of clients, to provide information on services and assistance, to improve clients understanding of and participation in the criminal justice process, and to facilitate the provision of services to support clients individual needs.
Discusses safety concerns and options with clients. Provides emotional support, and crisis intervention to traumatized and high-risk clients according to V/WAP Policy and Procedure Manual.
Assesses needs and abilities of clients to determine requirements and provide appropriate services (e.g. conducting courtroom preparation, advocating for and arranging use of testimonial aids, etc.) and accompanies most vulnerable clients during court proceedings, as approved by the Manager.
Provides assistance to clients regarding purpose and intent of documentation such as Victim Impact Statements and Criminal Injuries Compensation Board applications.
Maintains assigned caseload according to the timelines and procedures established by the V/WAP Program Policy and Procedure Manual; prepares and maintains confidential case files and keeps detailed case notes; prepares a range of correspondence, reports and forms (such as Victim Input Forms) related to client services and updates information as required.
Acts in Managers absence.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Staffing and Licencing :
n/a
Knowledge :
Knowledge and understanding of the V/WAP, its goals, objectives and related policies, procedures and processes to provide leadership of operational and administrative activities of the local program and to identify gaps in services/procedures, recommending suggestions for improvement.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system, court operations, procedures and protocols, issues pertaining to victims of crime (such as wife assault, child abuse, sexual assault, homicide, etc.) and relevant legislation (e.g. CFSA, Victims Bill of Rights, FIPPA) in order to provide relevant information, assistance and guidance to clients and team members regarding legal proceedings, ensuring effective advocacy, advice and assistance to victims and witnesses.
Knowledge of risk assessment and safety planning to assist clients to identify safety concerns and develop plans to access service.
Knowledge of crisis response and intervention, to respond appropriately to clients in crisis who may have been traumatized by crime, including responding to situations escalated by staff.
Knowledge of services provided by community agencies to arrange appropriate referrals for clients, to foster cooperation in service provision and to build effective partnerships and educational networks.
Knowledge of stakeholder/relationship management methods and techniques to develop and implement plans to promote the program to meet local requirements for program delivery.
Knowledge of public education methods and techniques to develop and implement services and strategies for public education and training on program and relevant issues.
Knowledge of program database systems to input, locate, update and retrieve information and to maintain comprehensive case records.
Knowledge of computer software to develop correspondence, reports and presentations
Skills :
Crisis response/intervention skills, needs assessment skills, analytical and problem solving skills to apply program policies, relevant legislation and guidelines in analysing clients needs, to assess clients immediate risks and determine the level of crisis intervention/service needs/safety plans, to consider various alternatives and to select and apply the best plan of action to meet unique needs; to provide leadership and advice to staff in the provision of such services.
Organizational and planning skills to manage and oversee a large caseload, and to prioritize, schedule and track own and staff members work in an environment of demanding multiple deadlines.
Problem solving skills to resolve issues relating to clients services and recommend resolution of contentious issues to the Manager.
Interpersonal skills, issue management skills, judgement, initiative, tact and diplomacy to work independently with community agency representatives, court administration, Crown Counsel and to share information with Crown based on personal observations/information provided by clients, to raise breaches or resolve service problems with appropriate personnel while maintaining effective and productive relationships with clients and service providers.
Analytical and reasoning skills to recommend service improvements and to foster co-operation of service providers in implementing new or enhanced services and to compile information and statistics at managers request.
Consultation and communications skills to provide information to clients, and to testify during court proceedings when required.
Judgment, communication skills and empathy, to deal with clients in crisis, to communicate and advocate with members of the Justice Sector and community agencies on behalf of the clients while maintaining clients privacy interests and disclosure parameters.
Written communication and presentation skills to write reports, correspondence and case file summaries and to prepare presentations and participate in public speaking engagements and in the development of educational and promotional Program information.
Interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively within a team environment.
Freedom of Action :
Works in a team environment under general direction of the Manager, V/WAP, and in accordance with established policies, procedures and internal V/WAP Program Policy and Procedural Manual and Ministry/Government guidelines and directives. The position has latitude for independent decision making in co-ordinating and conducting activities related to assigned client cases and to provide technical advise and expertise to client cases assigned to staff. Advice and guidance is provided by the Manager in the event of critical or contentious issues.
The position exercises judgment in:
Determining priorities and assigning cases to staff.
Recommending training and development needs to staff and providing into to the V/WAP Manager regarding performance standards and performance management of staff.
Providing technical guidance to Victim/Witness Services Workers and Administrative Assistants; Planning and directing the activities of volunteers; Assisting in training of new staff and training and supervision of students and volunteer workers and for provision of accurate and timely guidance to Program staff.
Managing own assigned cases, assessing clients individual needs, providing relevant guidance and information, selecting and initiating contact with appropriate community agencies, government organizations and services for referral purposes.
Preparing victims/witnesses for court proceedings and in advocating and liaising with Justice Sector personnel and community agencies from inception of the criminal case to final disposition;
Recording accurate and factual information in client case files;Accurately representing V/WAP at informational/educational presentations and for accurate and relevant communication with clients and Justice sector contacts;
Developing/implementing local strategies for public education, community outreach and training.
Advising/alerting/referring critical issues, breaches and other information as raised/provided by clients to Manager, police, Crown Counsel, community agencies and government organizations. Matters not covered by policy, protocol or highly contentious/publicized issues are discussed with and or referred to the Manager and or Crown Counsel. Work is reviewed for progress and results by regular caseload review of statistical information or through complaints from the clients, Crown Counsel, police or agencies.
Ineffective support and leadership of the V/WAP at the local level would have a critical impact on effective service delivery to victims/witnesses of crime and could result in adverse publicity to the ministry and criticism of the Minister, ministry and the OPS and affect the administration of justice due to victims/witnesses not being properly prepared to deal with the trial process.
Errors in provision of effective guidance, referral and safety planning to clients and staff, in selection of community resources, and/or inability to recognize situations that place the client in crisis or at risk have direct impact on the safety and well being of clients and their families, especially children, and may create service interruption and crisis situations and may result in clients unwillingness to participate in and delays in criminal proceedings and negatively impact the credibility of the Program and government services.
Errors in neglecting to convey safety information to the Crown via victim input may result in information not being included on bail and/or probation conditions which could jeopardize victim safety and/or safety of their children.
Errors in courtroom orientation, documentation and legislative interpretation could result in misinformed clients and potentially jeopardize the outcome of criminal proceedings.
Errors in consultations with staff, Crown Counsel, police and delays in notification of relevant information/breaches and inaccurate case assignment, tracking and input into case tracking systems could negatively impact criminal proceedings and the disposition of multiple cases.