The District Attorney's Office is responsible for attending court and conducting all local criminal prosecutions. The District Attorney is a State Constitutional Officer when prosecuting crimes defined under State Law. The Office additionally provides legal advice to all law enforcement agencies and provides training programs for their personnel; thus, increasing the probability of successful prosecutions. The mission of the Office is to promote justice, ensure that the rights of victims are upheld by treating them with dignity, respect and compassion, and aggressively and fairly prosecute those who violate the law.

The District Attorney's Office seeks a Victim/Witness Assistance Program Manager to manage the Victim/Witness Assistance Unit, an autonomous unit that delivers services to victims and witnesses of violent crime, while ensuring excellence in client services and service delivery. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program Manager manages teams of professional, technical and volunteer staff, and coordinates the delivery of a full range of services to victims and witnesses of violent crime.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, designs, organizes and coordinates services provided by subordinate staff to victims and witnesses of crime, such as crisis intervention, emergency assistance, direct counseling, victim of crime claims, court escort/support; develops policies, procedures and operations for the program; oversees the coordination and implementation as appropriate.
• Represents the rights of the victim, balancing the District Attorney's desire to prosecute the criminal with the victim's needs and rights (to healing services, etc.); acts as buffer between law enforcement, prosecutors and the victim; may be called upon to diffuse angry clients and/or confrontational situations.
• Prepares annual applications for Office of Emergency Service (OES) grants, and quarterly progress reports; monitors performance and funding to insure programs are in compliance with OES standards; researches, identifies, prepares, monitors and appropriates grants to fund victim and witness programs; procures funding from state agencies; obtains data/information from internal and external departments and agencies in regard to funding sources, interdepartmental activities and programs relating to victim/witness issues.
• Provides crisis intervention and assistance to victims and witnesses in sensitive or high-profile cases.
• Reviews, interprets and complies with changing victim and witness legislation; researches and remains current with “best practices” in the field of victim and witness assistance programs.
• Acts as subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance to District Attorney staff, Judges and others, regarding victim and witness laws, regulations and services.
• Recruits, interviews and hires new staff and volunteers; plans, monitors, reviews, evaluates and manages the work of staff to ensure timely delivery of effective programs; recommends and implements disciplinary action as appropriate.
• Develops, negotiates and monitors contracts and agreements related to victim and witness programs.
• Speaks in public forums, representing the District Attorney’s Office to legislators, committees, community forums, and commissions and at conferences regarding victim of crime issues; prepares scripts, speeches, programs, brochures and press releases for conferences and ceremonies promoting victim issues; plans, develops, conducts and evaluates presentations and trainings for criminal justice system and community agencies regarding victim issues.
• Designs and conducts public outreach and education; plans, develops, conducts and evaluates training programs for staff and the public regarding victim/witness issues.
• Researches, analyzes, interprets and complies with local, state and federal codes, regulations, laws, policies, procedures and guidelines pertaining to victims of crime; analyzes and monitors departmental compliance with existing and proposed legislation and regulations; ensures legislative mandates are met.
• Compiles, analyzes and presents data in the form of written, graphic or oral reports for use before boards, commissions and the public.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website:
Victim/Witness Assistance Program Manager (Download PDF reader)
Thorough Knowledge of:

• The laws, regulations, policies and typical processes and procedures related to the Victim/Witness Assistance Program, including Section 13835 of the California Penal Code.
• Legal terminology and documents used to provide assistance to victims and witnesses of crime.
• The criminal justice system, criminal proceedings, and the functions and operations of a District Attorney’s Office as they pertain to Victim/Witness Assistance activities.
• The functions and roles of law enforcement agencies, probation departments, health and emergency departments, and judicial entities, in relation to violent criminals and the victims and witnesses of violent crime.
• The principles and techniques of interviewing and referral counseling.
• Community resource agencies as pertains to victim and witness assistance.

• Methods used to identify and secure private, non-profit, Federal, state and local sources of funding for victim/witness assistance programs.
• Principles and practices of public administration, grantsmanship, program management and planning, fiscal management, personnel management, customer service and leadership.
• Principles and practices of contract and grant preparation, negotiation, development and administration.
• Methods used in researching and developing grant applications, grant funds management and project cost estimating.

• Establish and maintain effective working and diplomatic relationships with a variety of groups including elected officials, a culturally diverse general public, and representatives of the government, media and outside agencies, with a focus on quality service to internal and external customers.
• Provide support and victim assistance in the most complex and sensitive cases and make appropriate referrals to community assistance resources.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally; make presentations before groups, boards, commissions and others in a clear and articulate manner and appropriate to a variety of audiences.
• Work independently while exercising initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment in solving difficult and complex administrative and technical problems and while performing effectively as a team leader.
• Identify sensitive and/or political issues and potential problems, options and projected outcomes and make recommendations. Efficiently and effectively resolve problems.
• Work effectively amid changing and potentially conflicting priorities. Meet deadlines, organize and coordinate numerous activities and programs.
• Analyze and interpret complex data and information. Prepare clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Interpret and apply codes, regulations, laws, policies, procedures and guidelines pertinent to victim services programs.
• Recruit, hire, manage, train and evaluate the work of subordinate staff and volunteers.
• Prepare program budget and monitor resources and expenditures.
• Use personal computers in the workplace with knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
• Provide excellent and courteous customer service.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Education:
Coursework leading to a Bachelor’s degree in public administration, social services, business administration, education or a related field.
Experience:
Three years of experience performing duties equivalent to Victim Assistance Coordinator for the County of Monterey.

Additional Information

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting and Department of Motor Vehicle report.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Incumbent will be required to obtain an Advanced Victim Assistance Advocate Certificate, pursuant to Penal Code Section 13835.10, within one year of appointment.

Application and Selection Procedures

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions