Victim Specialist (Probation Counselor II)

Salary : $64,190.88 - $106,984.59 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (FJ16), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 24-02567
Department: Juv & Domestic Relations Court
Opening Date: 10/26/2024
Closing Date: 11/8/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S23
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
This position works as a part of the Court Services Unit. This position is located in the Fairfax County Courthouse and is under the general supervision of the Victim Services Unit Program Manager. Provides trauma-informed supportive services to victims and witnesses of juvenile crime in the jurisdiction of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the towns of Herndon and Vienna, who are involved in the criminal justice system of Fairfax County.
Receives case assignments and investigates the nature of the offense to determine the needs of the client. Contacts victims to provide crisis intervention, resource and referral, safety planning, and victims' rights information. Explains the criminal justice process and provides notification of future court dates. Makes appropriate referrals to other agencies or community resources. Provides courtroom advocacy to victims and witnesses, and orients clients on the court process. Collaborates with stakeholders to provide consistent and thorough information and services to clients. Provides victim impact and shoplifting prevention classes to diverted and adjudicated offenders under the jurisdiction of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Provides restitution information to Court Services Unit Staff, victims of crime and defendants. Provides case management and conducts community outreach, as needed.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)
Victims Services

• Provides supportive services to victims and witnesses of crime involved in the criminal justice system including emotional support, financial assistance, counseling, and victim agency referrals;
• Maintains on-going contact/communication with victims and witnesses during investigation and judicial proceedings, and provides notifications of investigative activity or case developments as needed;
• Provides court accompaniment to crime victim and witnesses for all court proceedings in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and Circuit Courts;
• Reduces delays in bringing cases to court by assisting in determining availability of victims and witnesses;
• Responds to call-outs to crime scenes and other locations to provide immediate crisis intervention and support, refers clients to related supportive services and agencies;
• Operates a county vehicle to provide the effective delivery of services to victims and witnesses including transporting victims and witnesses to court hearings, commonwealth's attorneys meetings and other court related appointments;
• Provides assistance by administering and providing services designed to enhance coordination among agencies operating within the criminal justice system;
• Works with and assists the officers and detectives within their district station assignment or the criminal investigations bureau with the proper victim services and referrals;
• Encourage citizen awareness and participation through public information and education.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Knowledge of casework supervision practices and procedures;
Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;
Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;
Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;
Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work and victim services;
Ability to interview and counsel clients;
Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;
Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education plus two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling. A master's degree in the disciplines above may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:

• Criminal Background Investigation
• Child Protective Services Registry Check
• Driving Record Check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Three years of professional work experience working in the victim services field directly working with victims of crime.
• Ideal candidate will have extensive experience working in a court system environment.
• Must be available to work occasional evening hours to meet the needs of crime victims.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, must be able to travel to different offices.
• Must be able to communicate clearly both in person and over the telephone.
• Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor and the incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-AL1
Requisition 24-02567
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02
Please indicate your major(s) or minor(s) towards a degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Criminal justice
• Social work
• Counseling
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Education
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

03
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
04
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

05
How many years of full-time equivalent professional experience do you have working in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

06
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working in counseling and with victims of crime?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

07
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working in a court system environment?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

08
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have directly working with victims and/or witnesses of crime in a Victim Witness Program?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

09
How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have directly working with victims of crime in a NON-Victim Witness Program, such as a Domestic Violence Shelter, non-profit program, etc.?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six or more years

Required Question