Victim Witness Assistant

POSTING TYPE: Open-competitive
DEPARTMENT: County Attorney
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $50,194 - $62,742/year
SALARY RANGE: $50,194 - $78,428/year (105 Grade Level)
LOCATION: Judicial Center, Hastings
UNION: Non-union
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 09/23/2025

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellent public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

The Victim Witness Assistant is responsible to assist and support witnesses and victims by providing explanation of the court processes, victim's rights and case dispositions. Additionally, they coordinate legal support services for prosecutors with trial preparation and witness management.

• Three years office support experience, one year of which must be from a legal or law enforcement office.
  OR

• One-year technical degree plus two-year office support experience within a legal or law enforcement office.
  OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience to total three years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working directly with crime victims and witnesses.

• Experience with adult and juvenile justice systems.

• Experience with court rules, practices, and procedures.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Prepare letters to crime victims advising them of the prosecution, their rights as victims and explaining the criminal and juvenile justice system.
2. Prepare witness lists, subpoenas and letters for court hearings, grand juries, conflict cases from other counties, and any other hearings requiring witness testimony.
3. Responding to inquiries from victims, witnesses, public, community agencies, and criminal justice system personnel; retrieve information from county prosecutor's database system, courts, corrections, other county departments or community agencies and follow-up on research done in case files to respond to the caller; and assist victims and witnesses with the completion of forms to request restitution.
4. Assist witnesses during trials or other hearings to include arranging transportation to court; complete witness certificates for fees and other reimbursements; explain courtroom procedures; provide general instructions on testifying; monitor court progress to bring witnesses to the courtroom when needed; monitor sequestration orders; consult with prosecutors regarding daily schedule and special instructions to be relayed to witnesses; accompany witnesses to court for support if needed; and resolve witnesses' concerns
5. Complete and file forms on behalf of victims and witnesses such as Notice of Release, Requests for Police Reports, portions of Reparations Claims, Reimbursements, and Witness Fees.
6. Contact victims and witnesses by phone to advise of court dates and changes in court dates; draft letters to victims and witnesses regarding court dates when they cannot be reached by phone.
7. Screen Request for Restitution forms for sufficiency, supporting documentation, and applicability to charged offense(s), contact victims when necessary to revise or provide additional information.
8. Update office database to ensure accuracy of victim and witness information.
9. Perform other administrative tasks as assigned.
10. Attend and participate in staff meetings.

• Knowledge of adult and juvenile justice systems.
• Knowledge of court rules, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of subpoenas and service of process.
• Knowledge of Data Practices Act.
• Knowledge of and ability to operate computer equipment and software to effectively complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to apply crisis intervention skills using compassion, patience and diplomacy.
• Ability to engage in independent decision-making and problem solving.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks