Performs counseling and case management services for moderately difficult criminal cases; provides information, counsel, advice, and assistance to victims/witnesses of criminal acts; acts as liaison between the victims/witnesses and the criminal justice system agencies; and performs other related duties as required.
There is one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 06/30/2025 with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney - Victim/Witness Unit in Kailua-Kona.
NOTE: Extension of position beyond June 30, 2025 will depend on available funding. Grant funded positions are considered "temporary" and have a specific end date noted. Funding for these grants have continued for years, and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney anticipates no changes in receiving this funding. Because grants are not guaranteed, positions must be defined as temporary.
(Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.)
This Victim/Witness Counselor I, SR-20 position is a career ladder position. The next level in the series is Victim/Witness Counselor II, SR-22, $5,258 - $6,399/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualifications for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.
The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.
- Interviews victims/witnesses of crimes to determine the nature and degree of immediate and long term assistance, such as medical, psychological, financial, or other needs.
- Provides immediate crisis counseling to victims traumatized by their experience.
- Informs victims of and makes referrals to appropriate governmental or community agencies for support services.
- Acts as liaison between the victims/witnesses and criminal justice system agencies.
- Counsels the victims and/or witnesses as to their role in prosecution and the role of the prosecutor.
- Arranges witnesses' schedules and testimony times, and prepares them for the rigors of court proceedings.
- Arranges for transportation, hotel, and other travel accommodations.
- Works with deputy prosecutors to provide assessment of clients' ability and strength as witnesses in a courtroom setting.
- Advocates on behalf of victims/witnesses in concurrence with attorneys, judges, and probation officers.
- Collects and compiles information concerning cases; assists with obtaining restitution information and determines eligibility.
- Prepares correspondence, case records, reports, and other documents.
- Works with community organizations to establish aid to victims.
- Operates vehicle to meet victims and/or witnesses at various locations.
- May assist other Victim/Witness Counselors as needed.
Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:
- graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in social work, sociology, counseling, psychology, or a related field (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
- one (1) year of professional counseling or case management experience in a social services program that shall have included work related to the criminal justice system and crisis counseling such as experience with trauma informed care, direct therapeutic assistance with victims of crime, etc., and
- possession of a valid State of Hawai`i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)
Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.
Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.
Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.
Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.
Knowledge of: Public and private community resources providing services, benefits, and other human resources assistance; common characteristic traits of victims and witnesses; crisis counseling, and interviewing techniques and methods; and court procedures.
Ability to: collect, analyze, and evaluate facts; utilize a wide variety of interviewing techniques in dealing with individuals of varying backgrounds who are under stress; interpret and apply the regulations and provisions of the law to the specific problem; speak and write clearly; advocate for the victim and/or witnesses; multi-task and effectively manage large caseloads; work effectively in a team environment; be flexible and adapt to constantly changing work environment; use standard office equipment including computer programs; and establish and maintain an effective working relationship with victim/witnesses and public and private agency representatives.
Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Light
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include telecommuting, alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
- Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
- Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
- Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
- Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
- County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
- Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
- Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
- Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
- Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
- Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
- Credit Union Membership
- Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.
All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.
Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:- an official college transcript,
- a valid driver's license,
- a temporary assignment verification,
- professional licenses, and/or
- certificates,
Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.
Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don't receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.
You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.
