Title:  Victim Compensation / VALE Board Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Victim Compensation Specialist acts as an advocate for victims by performing a variety of limited investigative and clerical functions to assist with the processing of victim compensation applications.

DUTIES:

• Solicits, organizes, and reviews information pertaining to Victim Compensation for the effective disposition of claims applications; retrieves information from Action on case status and charges; determines eligibility of victim compensation claims; enforces board policies and procedures; assures compliance of claims with statute regulations; verifies accuracy of bills and calculates claims reviewed by the Victim Comp Board.
• Performs clerical functions necessary to expedite the Victim Compensation process; routine telephone and/or personal contact with crime victims and service providers to provide accurate and up-to-date information, to answer questions regarding the criminal justice system, or to refer to other agencies if appropriate; organizes and opens new claims, closes files upon case completion; prepares restitution requests for repayment to the Fund, enforces subrogation agreements between victim and board; composes correspondence regarding compensation status and additional information requests, and mails out checks awarded to victims.
• Acts as an advocate for victims to minimize the negative impact of the Criminal Justice System and to educate them with court processes, (e.g. administrative hearings and restitution hearings). May testify at court restitution hearings to represent Victim Compensation to receive restitution. Sets agenda for Victim Compensation Board meetings; summarizes and presents victim claim reports to the board members at monthly meetings.
• Oversees the entire invoicing process, to include; reviews, verifies, and processes invoices submitted by victim services providers to ensure accuracy, enters invoice details into the financial system and maintain up-to-date records, reconciles invoice discrepancies and resolve issues, maintains comprehensive documentation of all invoice transactions and correspondence and ensures that all invoicing practices adhere to organizational policies, legal requirements, and funding regulations.

Victim Compensation / VALE Board Specialist

Victim Compensation and VALE Program Management:

• Review, screen, and process Victim Compensation applications, including obtaining necessary documentation, verifying information, and preparing concise summaries for review.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Open Caseware, including data entry, file management, and closure of cases.
• Liaise with law enforcement, service providers, and other stakeholders to gather information, verify claims, and ensure proper billing and payment processing.
• Prepare and distribute reports, meeting agendas, and minutes for VC and VALE Board meetings, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Assist in compiling and analyzing statistical and financial data for reporting, audits, and grant proposals.

Administrative and Clerical Support:

• Provide clerical support for National, State, and Local Victim Compensation audits, as well as routine office management duties such as maintaining supplies and handling correspondence.
• Manage and update contact information for staff, board members, and other stakeholders.
• Screen and respond to visitor inquiries and telephone calls, directing them to the appropriate department or individual.
• Perform word processing, data entry, and general administrative tasks as required, including drafting correspondence and compiling summaries.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Ability to gain considerable knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, standard legal/court procedures and terminology, federal and state legislation pertaining to victims of crime, and other victimization issues; ability to discuss same with victims and witnesses of crimes.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer programs, e.g. personal computer, scanner, copier; Outlook, Excel, Word, PDF, etc., ability to gain working knowledge of internal data base programs, e.g. CCVC and Action. ; Ability to gather and record relevant data. Ability to organize and plan aspects of work to handle considerable detail and volume.
• Ability to be sensitive to the needs of victims while advocating in support of the criminal justice system; ability to work independently as well as within a team; and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, fellow workers, victims of crime, police agencies, medical personnel to include therapists and doctors, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• Associate's Degree in Victim Services, Business, or related field.
• 1+ years general office experience with considerable public contact work, preferably in a claims related setting (e.g. Worker’s Compensation, Social Security, insurance).
• Experience working with victims of crime highly desirable.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which may include an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check. (other options: Physical capabilities examination, drug screen, polygraph).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Spends 90% of the time sitting and 10% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.