JOB INFORMATION

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits
 
This non-sworn (civilian), para-professional position represents the Victim/Witness Program by serving as a link of communication between the Frederick County Sheriff's Office and victims and witnesses of crimes. Supervision is received from the Crisis Support Lead.
 

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.   For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.
 

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

 

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment

• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover

• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays

• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending

• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit

• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan

  • Vesting after 5 years of service

  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.

• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program

• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program

• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.

• Coming in 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care

 

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Assist with all FCSO victim/witness services, including referrals, liaison services, crisis intervention, training and support

• Assist Criminal Investigations personnel on victim matters

• Meet with victims on scene; provide support/crisis intervention counseling (response situations include fatality, domestic violence, child abuse, etc.); provide advocacy for victims and serve as a liaison with social service agencies/organizations to locate resources and facilitate referrals

• Meet with victims in FCSO facility to explain police and criminal justice procedures, coordinate the return of property, etc.

• As needed, take photos in domestic violence cases

• Assist victims with completion of relevant paperwork and forms

• Provide updated information and assistance to victims and witnesses on related cases

• Register victims for notification of offender release through Vinelink and the local Frederick County Adult Detention Center notification process

• Arrange for translation and interpretation services as needed

• Assist with the implementation of the Intimate Partner Violence Initiative; provide training to deputies under the Intimate Partner Violence Initiative

• Represent the Sheriff's Office on the local, state, and national level on task forces with advocacy groups, and with allied criminal justice agencies to address victim and witness issues such as the Frederick County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (FCDVF), Sexual Assault Response Team (S.A.R.T.)

• Assist the FCSO Evidence Custodian in researching criminal/civil backgrounds of citizens requesting return of a weapon

• Accompany victims to court for Protective Order/Peace Order proceedings; testify in court as needed

• Perform other related duties as required

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

 

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work or related field

• Some experience (internships may be included) working in a criminal justice system or a human services field

• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

• Possession of national certification for Crisis Intervention or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

• Possession of Victim Service Provider credentials through local and national organizations or the ability to obtain within 1 year of hire

• NOTE: A combination of relevant training, experience, and education specific to victim services or crisis intervention may be counted towards the requirements of this position

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, terminology and objectives of the local law enforcement and judicial system

• Knowledge of (or ability to learn) the organization and functions of victim/witness programs

• Interviewing and crisis intervention/counseling skills

• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills

• Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision

• Ability to work effectively under stress and to demonstrate discretion and good judgment in dealing with confidential matters and sensitive information

• Ability to effectively access and utilize automated information systems and other computerized programs

• Ability to effectively prepare and maintain case records, data, forms, reports, etc.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, judicial and law enforcement personnel and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Work experience working in victim advocacy

• Work experience working in a law enforcement environment

• Related training or certification specific to victim services or crisis intervention

 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, climb and reach; and occasionally stoop, lift up to 20 pounds, perform repetitive motions and drive

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work in indoors; occasionally work outdoors; and rarely walk on uneven ground, work in hot temperatures above 100 degrees and cold temperatures below 32 degrees, and has potential exposure to infectious diseases 

• Physical requirements include the ability to travel to crime scenes as needed and meet with victims and witnesses under whatever circumstances are present, and to transport and operate photography equipment

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

 

• Available for varied work schedule and call-out as needed

• This position is subject to random drug testing

• Secondary employment will not be approved for FCSO personnel until successful completion of the probationary period

• Candidates who were previously rejected for FCSO placement may reapply for consideration; however, those declined for reasons that assure another rejection will not be reconsidered

 
KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):
1) An evaluation of training and experience  
2) One or more interviews                                
3) A pre-employment background investigation           
4) A pre-employment polygraph test (inquiries include criminal, credit, drug use and personal history)
5) A pre-employment drug test
 
 

This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.