VICTIM WITNESS SERVICES WORKER

Are you a highly dedicated bilingual individual wishing to make a difference in the lives of victims and witnesses of crime? If so, consider this challenging position with the Ontario Victim Services Secretariat in providing a full range of services to victims and witnesses of crime, including needs assessment, crisis intervention, emotional support and referrals, and participation in stakeholder networks and public education.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this position, you will:

• manage and coordinate a high volume of assigned cases
• provide information, support and assistance to clients
• act as a liaison and maintain networks to advocate the needs and interests of clients
• participate in projects, committees and public education activities
• prepare statistical reports
• supervise and train students and volunteers

How do I qualify?

Mandatory requirements:

• You are proficient in English and possess advanced level oral French language skills.
• You must possess a valid driver's licence class of G or equivalent as recognized by the province of Ontario in order to travel to various locations.
• The successful candidate will be required to complete a criminal reference check (CPIC) prior to the commencement of employment.

Technical knowledge:

• experience working with victims' issues (e.g. child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide, etc.)
• proficiency with computer operations to work with program database systems and MS Office.

Analytical and problem solving skills:

• demonstrated crisis response and intervention skills, needs assessment and risk assessment skills and ability in providing services that meet the needs of clients (e.g., victims of crime and/or marginalized/vulnerable clients)
• ability to acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program and related legislation (e.g. Victims' Bill of Rights), policies and procedures
• ability to apply effective organizational and planning skills to manage a large caseload independently and prioritize work in an environment of demanding multiple deadlines

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• ability to provide emotional support, crisis response and intervention, advocacy and empowerment to victims and witnesses of crime
• proven ability to write reports, correspondence and case file summaries
• ability to prepare presentations and participate in public speaking engagements
• ability to build and maintain effective relationships with clients and service providers

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 22, 2013 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.