Victim and Witness Services Specialist

Department
 

DSS Police: Patrol Services

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago campus is part of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, which contains a significant amount of off-campus housing for undergraduate and graduate students. More than a third of the University's staff resides in areas surrounding the campus, and more than 50% of the University's faculty live in the Hyde Park area. The Department of Safety and Security includes the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD), Transportation and Parking Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management/Business Continuity, and the Campus Safety Division which includes the UC Charter School and UC Laboratory Schools Security. The Department mission is to provide professional and best in class safety and transportation services to members of the University and surrounding communities.

Job Summary
 

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) is seeking Victim and Witness Services Specialists for its newly created Victim and Witness Services Unit. Reporting to the Director of the Victim and Witness Services Unit, the Victim and Witness Services Specialist provides a continuum of victim and witness support from crisis through investigation and judicial processes ensuring the rights and needs of crime victims and witnesses in UCPD’s primary and extended jurisdictions are served. The Victim and Witness Services Specialist provides crisis intervention, medical and legal advocacy, emotional support and victim’s rights education to victims and witnesses who report crimes to the UCPD, regardless of whether or not UPCD is the primary investigating agency. The Victim and Witness Services Specialist will work closely with other University departments, including Campus and Student Life’s Dean on Call program, the University of Chicago Medical Center, as well as outside agencies such as the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Responsibilities

• Assists victims and witnesses by referring them to community and local support resources including professional counseling and support groups. 
• Provides emotional, physical, and practical support to victims and witnesses of crime.  Identifies and informs victims of crimes of their rights according to the law and acts as a liaison between victims/witnesses, police officers/detectives, county attorneys, city and county victim advocates, and community-based agencies. 
• Maintains contact and communication with victims and witnesses during the investigation, prosecution, and judicial proceedings to provide information regarding status of criminal and/or civil cases. 
• Responds to call outs, when needed, in order to provide crisis intervention, support and advocacy services. 
• Maintains accurate records and case management reports. 
• Enters all cases assigned to the Victim and Witness Services Unit in the UCPD case management system.  Coordinates procedures for police notification of witnesses and victims participating in the judicial process, ensuring effective exchange of information as necessary. 
• Assists the Director with providing training to new employees assigned to the Victim and Witness Services Unit.  Provides additional administrative duties, as assigned, to assist the Director and/or other unit personnel.
• Presents to University and community groups regarding the Unit’s services and programs and serves as a department subject-matter expert for victim/witness services. 
• Provides victim and witness assistance training and consultation to University departments, community groups and outside agencies. 
• Provides public information to various agencies, departments and/or University groups as requested to enhance the public’s awareness of the program.
• Provides operational support, including security monitoring and identification checks at designated entrances and areas, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures.
• Completes incident reports and makes appropriate notifications to the proper parties, completing work with a moderate degree of supervision.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as counseling, social work, or criminal justice.
• Obtain specialized training or advanced education related to victim/witness servi