Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinator

Title: Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinator

Pay Grade: Management

Starting Pay: $91,356.20 - $134,792.32

Departmental Mission Statement: The Executive Office of the Trial Court is led by the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator and oversees judicial and court operations, including the Office of Court Management. The Executive Office works collaboratively with the Trial Court’s seven Departments and Commissioners of Probation and Jury to develop and implement policies and initiatives that promote an environment of continuous improvement and ensure the most effective use of resources to support and enhance the delivery of justice in the Trial Court. The Executive Office also oversees the development and implementation of strategic planning for the Trial Court.


ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/admin/judicialinstitute.html

Notes:

• This position is designated Management and is covered by the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Position Summary: This position involves working and coordinating with the Chair of the Trial Court Domestic Violence Education Task Force, the Executive Office of the Trial Court through the Director of Legal Policy, and the domestic violence committees of the relevant Trial Court departments. The Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinator is responsible for development of comprehensive training curricula and advanced programs to ensure baseline system-wide knowledge on domestic and sexual violence issues across all Trial Court departments. The Coordinator manages the implementation of training and related materials for all personnel involved in Domestic and Sexual Violence matters, including judges, clerks, probation officers, court officers, and other court staff. The Coordinator serves as a staff resource to the domestic violence committees of the relevant Trial Court Departments, the Trial Court Domestic Violence Education Task Force and judges, court staff, attorneys, advocates and community-based agencies. The Coordinator will assist in the identification of best practices and help implement standardized operating practices, and procedures for response to domestic violence issues in all courts within the Trial Court.

The Coordinator, at the direction of the Trial Court Domestic Violence Education Task Force, is responsible for the revisions to court guidelines and forms related to abuse prevention and harassment prevention proceedings, and for implementation thereof.

The Coordinator will help to ensure that data is regularly collected and utilized for metrics that promote evidence-based practices, and work to identify best practices and areas for improvement in practices and procedures. The Coordinator will provide implementation support to the courts and seek to ensure consistency of practice across all court departments, as appropriate.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinator acts as a liaison to the Executive Office of Public Safety with respect to the implementation and management of the VAWA Act directives, and coordinates with other Executive branch departments and the Legislature as appropriate.

Supervision Received: Receives direction from and reports to the Director of Legal Policy in performing duties in accordance with the goals and objectives established by the Executive Office of the Trial Court. Also receives general direction from the Chair of the Trial Court Domestic Violence Education Task Force.

Duties: Assists in development of a strategic plan for the Trial Court on the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence;

Assists in development of training curricula, standards and training modules to ensure a consistent baseline level of knowledge and to provide additional advanced programs on specific topics related to domestic and sexual violence and related issues;

Assists with identification of best practices to inform training and helps to coordinate the implementation of standardized operating practices and procedures across the Trial Court for response to domestic and sexual violence issues;

Identifies training faculty and instructors and coordinates the selection of training locations, development of training materials and other program details;

Facilitates communication across court departments on domestic and sexual violence issues and serves as a resource to attorneys, advocates, and judges on issues of domestic and sexual violence;

Supports the work of the Domestic Violence Education Task Force; the 209A Inter-departmental Working Group, and the individual departmental Domestic Violence Committees

Strengthens communication with domestic violence and sexual violence service providers and law enforcement groups across the state.

Serves as liaison on domestic and sexual violence to the Executive Office of Public Safety and other Executive Branch departments and the state legislature, as appropriate;

Provides support to the Judicial Response Manager on issues related to emergency abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders.


Engages with Judicial Information Services Department and the Department of Research and Planning to identify key data elements on domestic and sexual violence cases and ensures that data is regularly collected and utilized for metrics that promote and develop evidence-based practices;

Creates and revises forms, self-help materials, and accompanying documents related to abuse prevention and harassment prevention court proceedings, using various software applications and in compliance with Trial Court forms guidelines.

Coordinates Trial Court projects funded by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA);

Works with the Trial Court’s Grant Manager and with Judicial Institute staff with to administer the Trial Court’s VAWA grant, including:

working with the Grant Manager throughout the planning, application and implementation process;

communicating relevant grant information regarding funding, emerging trends/issues, and needs, when necessary;

working with the Fiscal Department to manage funds in accordance with the grant requirements;

preparing progress reports and evaluations and providing them to the Grant Manager when filed with the funding agency;

tracking the VAWA funding budget;

working with the Judicial Institute staff to prepare fiscal backup for expenditures;

tracking match portion of grant and preparing backup documentation for the match;

preparing budgets for carryover or cost extension applications; and

Performs related duties, as required.

Job Competencies: All applicants must be able, through the interview process, to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.
Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court missions.
Applied Knowledge Understands research, information services operations, specialized tools, applications, and software, with some understanding of the various court departments and divisions.
Problem Solving Ability to successfully address data issues, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.
Performance Measurement Understands the value and importance of performance measures as a basis for both individual and departmental assessments.
Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied economic and cultural backgrounds.
Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.
Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving himself or herself through professional development.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Domestic and Sexual Violence Coordinator:

A bachelor’s degree in related field and five (5) years of relevant work experience, such as case related experience within a Trial Court division and/or with legal service providers, social service agencies, and related allied service resources. A graduate degree in law or social sciences is preferred.

Equivalent combinations of education and/or applicable experience may be substituted for satisfying the required minimum requirements.

Considerable knowledge of relevant state statues, court rules and case law that prescribe the authority of the court related to domestic violence and an ability to interpret and apply them;

Experience with domestic violence and sexual violence -related litigation and/or with domestic and sexual violence-related social services agencies.

Knowledge of court procedures, legal documents, and laws pertaining to the court;

Demonstrated experience in the field of adult education and training, curriculum development and program evaluation; experience with creating and managing online training preferred

An understanding of the role and application of technology in education and professional development;

Strong writing skills and a comfort level with public speaking;

Experience with grant administration preferred;

Knowledge of personal computers and software used to support continuing education programs, including PowerPoint;

Demonstrated experience in formulating and implementing new organizational policies and procedures;

Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with all levels of Trial Court employees, officials, and judges, funding agency personnel and others in the course of developing, coordinating and implementing new or ongoing processes or programs around Domestic and Sexual Violence;

Ability to perform analysis, exercise sound judgment, make recommendations, and defend positions;

Considerable knowledge of the organization, functions, jurisdiction and authority of the court;

Considerable knowledge of the work and role of legal service providers, social service state agencies, and related community resources;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with judges, court officials, attorneys, court employees and the general public;

Ability to design and use data bases, analyze data and clearly present findings;

Demonstrated ability to independently initiate action, complete assignments and to handle multiple assignments simultaneously;

Ability to identify and pursue grant opportunities in the area of domestic and sexual violence;

Considerable knowledge of local state agency and community resources; and

Ability to travel throughout the Commonwealth.