Job Description

The following are general descriptions of Victim/Witness Counselor positions within the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Level I (SR-20): $4,690/month. Under general supervision, this position performs a variety of specialized victim/witness counseling services for victims and witnesses of violent crimes such as assaults, sexual assaults, terroristic threatening, kidnapping, reckless endangerment, spouse/partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse, and surviving family members of homicide, manslaughter and negligent homicide to fulfill the requirements of the Hawaii Victims Bills of Rights, HRS \xc2\xa7801-D; performs other duties as assigned.

The position applies knowledge of crisis intervention, interviewing methods and techniques, court procedures, community resources and referral procedures, program-related legal documents, program-related laws, rules, and procedures; proficient ability to assess the needs of distressed and traumatized individuals, effectively communicate with others in adverse situations, establish rapport with individuals of various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals involved in the process of prosecuting criminal offenses; and proficient skills in interviewing distressed individuals, organization and maintenance of case records, problem solving to assess best options in various situations, interpersonal skills for compassion and empathy, effective verbal and written communication, and time management.

Level II (SR-22): $5,076/month. This position independently performs a variety of specialized victim/witness counseling services for victims and witnesses of violent crimes such as assaults, sexual assaults, terroristic threatening, kidnapping, reckless endangerment, spouse/partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse, and surviving family members of homicide, manslaughter and negligent homicide to fulfill the requirements of the Hawaii Victims Bills of Rights, HRS \xc2\xa7801-D; performs other duties as assigned.

The position applies comprehensive knowledge of crisis intervention, interviewing methods and techniques, court procedures, community resources and referral procedures, program-related legal documents, program-related laws, rules, and procedures; proficient ability to assess the needs of distressed and traumatized individuals, effectively communicate with others in adverse situations, establish rapport with individuals of various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals involved in the process of prosecuting criminal offenses; and proficient skills in interviewing distressed individuals, organization and maintenance of case records, problem solving to assess best options in various situations, interpersonal skills for compassion and empathy, effective verbal and written communication, and time management.

Current Vacancies:
There are three (3) vacancies with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Victim/Witness Division.

If you qualify for the position, your name will be placed on an eligible list. This list may be used to fill current and/or future vacancies in this department. Applications must be submitted online by August 26, 2023, 11:59 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time (HST) to be accepted.

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Notifications may also be sent via text message if opted into the service. Data and text messaging fees apply. At time of application, you must be a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
Level I & II: Equivalent to graduation from a regionally accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor\'s degree in social work, sociology, counseling, psychology, or a related field.

Education obtained outside of the United States must be comparable to a degree earned at a regionally-accredited college/university in the United States. In order to receive credit for the education, a foreign credential evaluation (FCE) must be provided. We also reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript.

Verification Requirement: You must submit evidence of your Bachelor\'s degree in order to be given credit. Please attach an electronic copy of your diploma and/or official transcript which shows the embossed seal or applicable FCE to your application. Or mail a photocopy of your documents by the closing date of this recruitment to the following address: Department of Human Resources, 650 South King Street, 10th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Copies will not be returned. All information on your documentation must be legible and complete in order to be given credit.
Work experience may be substituted for a bachelor\'s degree on a year-for-year basis. Such experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and analytical ability normally gained from attainment of a bachelor\'s degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:
Level I: One (1) year of professional counseling experience in a program which provided social services or mental health services, to include crisis counseling.

Level II: Two (2) years of professional counseling experience in a program which provided social services or mental health services, to include crisis counseling, one of which shall have related to the criminal justice system.

Such experience must have shown demonstrated knowledge of crisis intervention, counseling and psycho-therapeutic techniques; interviewing methods and techniques; governmental agencies and community organizations that provide pertinent social services, benefits and other human resource assistance; court procedures and pertinent legal instruments applicable to the program; laws, rules and regulations governing the State Criminal Injuries Compensation Commission; and report writing. Additionally, such experience must have demonstrated the ability to assess the biopsychosocial needs of victims/witnesses of violent crimes; utilize a wide variety of interviewing techniques, particularly as to crisis counseling; andwork effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds who are under stress.

Substitution: A Master\'s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a similar closely related degree will substitute for one year of professional counseling experience in a program which provided social services or mental health services, to include crisis counseling. There is no substitution for the criminal justice system experience (which is required at the II level and above).

Education obtained outside of the United States must be comparable to a degree earned at a regionally-accredited college/university in the United States. In order to receive credit for the education, a foreign credential evaluation (FCE) must be provided. We also reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript.

Verification Requirement: You must submit evidence of your Bachelor\'s degree in order to be given credit. Please attach an electronic copy of your diploma and/or official transcript which shows the embossed seal or applicable FCE to your application. Or mail a photocopy of your documents by the closing date of this recruitment to the following address: Department of Human Resources, 650 South King Street, 10th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Copies will not be returned. All information on your documentation must be legible and complete in order to be given credit.
LICENSE REQUIREMENT:
Possession of an appropriate valid driver\'s license (automobile/Type 3), prior to appointment, as required.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: In addition to meeting the above minimum qualifications, your application will be further evaluated. Your score will be based on the quality and quantity of your education, experience and/or other related job requirements and competencies applicable to the position. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being rejected or your receiving a lower score.

EXAMINATION WEIGHT:
Education and Experience Evaluation100%

City and County of Honolulu