Victim Witness Human Services (Human Services Specialist I) - State's Attorney's Office

Howard County • Full-time • Ellicott City, Maryland, United States • $27 / hour • 4d ago

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

To assist crime victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system by answering their questions and concerns, making referrals to agencies that would provide additional assistance, and provide courtroom accompaniment. Assist the prosecutors by contacting victims and witnesses, scheduling appointments, and coordinating victims' and witnesses' courtroom appearance. Supervision is received from the Chief of the Victim Witness Unit.

**This is a State Authorized Exempt position and is ineligible for membership in a collective bargaining unit.**

STARTING SALARY IS $56,925/Annually/$27.37/Hourly

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes human service, administrative, and counseling work; providing counseling and programmatic services to the special populations; and providing assistance in identifying the population at risk, its needs and how to meet those needs. Organizes and publicizes large events for citizens or special groups. Work also includes providing services needed to carry out human service programs or the operation of a medium sized center with extensive regional responsibility and concurrent programming.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as a primary liaison between the State's Attorney's Office and victims, witnesses, law enforcement officers, experts, and other involved parties in Circuit Court cases handled. Provide information, support, referrals, and assistance to victims and witnesses; coordinates communications and court appearances; assist prosecutors with victim and witness-related matters.

Victim and Witness Support:

Serve as a primary liaison between the State’s Attorney’s office and victims and witnesses assigned to the coordinator’s caseload.
Maintain regular communication with victims and witnesses, providing timely and accurate information regarding case status, court proceedings, and other relevant developments.
Explain the criminal justice process, court procedures, courtroom expectations, and victims’ rights; provide support and assistance to victims and witnesses throughout their involvement in the criminal justice system.
Coordinate victim and witness appearances for hearings, trials, and other court proceedings; provide courtroom accompaniment and arrange transportation or other assistance when necessary.
Communicate relevant developments, concerns, and needs identified through contact with victims and witnesses to assigned prosecutors, and coordinate meetings between prosecutors and victims and witnesses as needed.
Assist prosecutors with victim and witness-related matters associated with court proceedings, daily dockets, trials, hearings, and assigned cases.
Provide information and assistance regarding available victim services and resources, including Protective/Peace Orders, VINE, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) claims, restitution, and Victim Impact Statements.
Make appropriate referrals to social service agencies, community organizations, and other resources that provide counseling, financial assistance, temporary housing, and other supportive services.
Conduct or compile case-related research and information relevant to victim and witness services and assigned cases, as appropriate to the coordinator’s assignment.
Prepare and maintain necessary correspondence, documentation, and case-related records for victims, witnesses, prosecutors, and other involved parties.
Coordinate with law enforcement, court personnel, prosecutors, service providers, and other public and private agencies to address victim and witness needs.
Provide backup coverage for other caseloads, court divisions, and prosecutorial units and perform other related duties as assigned.
Assist with the planning and coordination of annual victim-related memorial services and other victim service events hosted or supported by the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Court Coordination and Trial Support:

Coordinate victim and witness appearances for Circuit Court trials and other court proceedings.
Assist prosecutors during trials and daily dockets to support efficient court operations.

Communication and Collaboration with Prosecutors:

Communicate relevant developments, concerns, and needs identified through contact with victims and witnesses.
Coordinate and participate in meetings between prosecutors and victims/witnesses as needed.

Administrative and Correspondence Duties:

Prepare and mail letters, notices, and other necessary correspondence to victims and witnesses.

Program and Event Support:

Assist with planning and coordinating victim-services–related events hosted by the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Cross-Unit Support:

Serve as a back-up advocate for other units and provide coverage as operational needs arise.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this position.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a Social Science/Human Services related field plus experience working directly with the public in a legal, social service, or customer service setting.
One (1) year of experience working directly with the public in a legal, social service, or customer service setting.
Thorough knowledge of victims’ rights.
Experience working directly with victims and victim representatives in felony cases.
Bilingual Spanish Speaking.
Thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system, laws, regulations and procedures related to this position.
Ability to exercise good judgment in deciding when to act independently and when to refer situations to a higher authority.
Ability to work in a cooperative, courteous and effective basis with associates, officials and representatives from other public and private agencies.
Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Ability to pass a background check.
Possess a valid Driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of victims, witnesses or employees of organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.

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