Division/Unit: Witness Aid Services Unit

Job Title: Victim Services Counselor

Position Title: Counselor, Spanish Bilingual

Salary Range: $58,430 - $61,750

Position Summary :
The New York County District Attorney’s Office - Witness Aid Services Unit (WASU) has an opening for a Bi-Lingual Counselor its Witness Aid Services Unit (WASU). In this position the Counselor is responsible for providing counseling and therapeutic services to assist crime victims, witnesses, and their families. These services may include short term counseling, crisis intervention, community referrals, orientation to the criminal justice system, case status updates, and court support. Services will be provided in different office locations such as, the Main Office downtown, the Harlem Office and/or the Washington Heights Office. Spanish bilingual required.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct counseling/therapy sessions in either individual and/or group setting as well as mental health evaluation and concrete needs assessments.
• Conduct crisis intervention interviews and assist with safety planning.
• Provide victim support and court accompaniment throughout the criminal justice process. Act as a liaison between victims, families, and Assistant District Attorneys and provide case status information.
• Follow up contact with victims to monitor their connection to services.
• Ability to interact effectively with victims, witnesses, families, law enforcement officers and criminal justice personnel.
• Assist with a range of direct services such as crime victim compensation applications, emergency shelter placements; partner with DANY Advocates for additional concrete services.
• Collaborate with outside agencies to assist crime victims and facilitate referrals to appropriate agencies.
• Maintain accurate up to date case files as well as maintain statistics.
• Will rotate and sit different office locations including the Downtown Office, Harlem Office and Washington Heights when assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• New York State LMSW/LCSW or LMHC
• Experience working with domestic violence, sexual assault preferred.
• Familiarity with the crime victims and/or criminal justice system preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of confidentiality and sensitivity to victim issues a must.
• Ability to handle high caseload and set priorities.
• Excellent engagement, crisis intervention, and assessment skills required.
• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with staff in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work overtime and flexible hours including holidays, evenings, and weekends.

Educational/Licensure Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Social Work and New York State License required.
• Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and New York State License required.

Preferred Requirements

• Spanish bilingual required.
• ASL proficiency a plus.
• SIFI certified/eligible a plus.
• One (1) year commitment to the hiring bureau.
• Ability to work overtime and flexible hours including holidays, evenings, and weekends.

How to Apply:

• Apply with a Cover Letter and Resume.

Additional Information:

• As a current or prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. Please review the notice to see if you may be eligible for programs and how to apply at nyc.gov/studentloans .

The New York County District Attorney’s Office is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.