Victim Witness Program Division Chief

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Join the County of Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office as a Victim Witness Program Division Chief and play a vital leadership role in supporting victims of crime throughout our community. In this key management position, you will provide strategic direction and oversight of the countywide Victim Witness Program, leading dedicated professionals who provide essential advocacy, assistance, and support to victims and witnesses navigating the criminal justice system. Reporting directly to the elected District Attorney, you will oversee program operations, strengthen community partnerships, manage critical funding and resources, and advance initiatives that enhance victim services across the County.

If you are an experienced leader committed to victim advocacy, effective program management, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, we invite you to bring your expertise to this important role!

The District Attorney’s Office is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Victim Witness Program Division Chief position located in Santa Barbara. This position is at-will and exempt from the Civil Service provisions.

THE POSITION: Under general direction of the elected District Attorney, plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the countywide Victim Witness Program. Provides division leadership for victim advocacy, victim compensation assistance, and witness services; establishes program priorities, policies, and service standards; directs staff through subordinate management and supervisory positions; and oversees program funding, budgets, grants, and performance. Serves as the District Attorney’s principal program representative on victim services matters, coordinates work across departmental and external agency boundaries, and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Reports to the elected District Attorney. Directly oversees one Victim Witness Program Manager and indirectly oversees two Victim Witness Program Supervisors and other program staff. Works with the District Attorney’s executive team, prosecutors, investigators, legal support, and the Business Office to integrate victim and witness services with departmental operations and priorities.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate is a highly effective and collaborative leader with extensive experience overseeing complex programs in victim services, social services, criminal justice, or a related field. This individual will demonstrate a strong understanding of government operations, grant funding, budget management, and resource allocation, along with proven success in supervising, developing, and motivating staff. An exceptional communicator with strong interpersonal skills and political awareness, the ideal candidate will have the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and other key stakeholders. This leader will bring sound judgment, a strategic approach to program management, and a demonstrated ability to leverage partnerships and resources to strengthen services and support victims of crime throughout Santa Barbara County.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Below is a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in this classification. These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual. 

Division Leadership and Service Planning: Establishes division goals, service priorities, and performance expectations for victim advocacy, crisis intervention, referrals, support during investigative and judicial proceedings, explanation of the criminal justice process, victim compensation assistance, and witness and subpoena coordination and reimbursement. Assesses service demand, access barriers, staffing capacity, and resource needs; directs operational improvements; and ensures services are coordinated across the county.

Management and Workforce Oversight: Directs a diverse staff through the Program Manager and supervisors; establishes management expectations; evaluates subordinate management performance; and oversees selection, training, work assignments, performance evaluation, and corrective action. Guides managers and supervisors in resolving personnel and workload issues and developing staff capability. Oversees volunteer and intern program coordination and ensures personnel practices comply with Civil Service Rules, labor agreements, employment laws, and applicable County requirements.

Coordination Across the District Attorney’s Office: Works with prosecutors, investigators, legal support, and administrative managers to develop consistent victim and witness service practices, resolve service and case coordination issues, and support departmental initiatives. Provides subject matter expertise on victim needs and service implications. Participates in and, as assigned, leads cross functional groups and teams; clarifies responsibilities, coordinates implementation, and brings unresolved policy or resource issues to the executive team.

Interagency and Community Partnerships: Represents the division in working relationships with local law enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the County’s emergency management office, courts, government agencies, service providers, and community-based organizations. Develops and coordinates service protocols, referral practices, and joint initiatives addressing victim needs. Works through differences in agency responsibilities and resources to improve continuity of services. Represents the District Attorney on the statewide Victim Witness Coordinating Council and associated committees and provides leadership for assigned task forces and specialized projects.

Mass Casualty Preparedness and Victim Response: Leads the division’s planning and coordination for victim assistance following mass casualty incidents and other major events affecting crime victims. Works with law enforcement, the FBI, emergency management, and community partners to establish victim service roles, communication procedures, referral arrangements, and coordinated response protocols. Directs the deployment and coordination of division victim service resources within delegated authority; identifies unmet needs; and advises the District Attorney and executive team on response priorities, resource requirements, and continuing victim assistance. Coordinates the division’s participation in preparedness activities and evaluation of victim response practices.

Public Representation and Information: Speaks on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office on victim services matters within delegated authority. Develops and delivers presentations, training, written articles, and public information for partner agencies, community groups, and other audiences. Explains program services and priorities, communicates victim assistance information, and responds to program inquiries. Coordinates sensitive public communications with the District Attorney and designated communications personnel, protecting victim confidentiality and information related to pending cases.

Policy Development and Program Compliance: Develops and implements division policies, procedures, and service standards to meet victim service mandates and program requirements. Analyzes existing and proposed legislation and grant requirements; evaluates their operational and resource effects; and recommends changes to the District Attorney. Directs implementation and monitors compliance, consistent with applicable confidentiality requirements and departmental policies. Serves as the division’s subject matter expert and applies technical and analytical expertise to findings and recommendations.

Budget Grants and Resource Management: Develops and monitors annual budget requests for victim service programs in collaboration with the Business Office. Identifies funding opportunities; directs preparation of new and continuing funding applications, grant and contract narratives, and program budgets; and administers awarded program funding. Oversees grant and contract performance and compliance with federal and state requirements. Coordinates procurement and contract processes with the Business Office, evaluates the sustainability of service commitments, and recommends resource priorities and responses to funding changes.

Performance Analysis and Executive Advising: Directs the collection, analysis, and interpretation of demographic, cost, workload, and service delivery data. Evaluates program outcomes and work processes, identifies service gaps, and uses findings to guide priorities and operational improvements. Oversees preparation of statistical and program reports for County, state, and federal agencies. Prepares reports, recommendations, and correspondence for the District Attorney and executive team; keeps leadership informed of significant issues, corrective actions, and emerging needs; and carries out assigned special projects.

Resolution of Significant Service Issues: Provides management direction on complex, sensitive, or escalated victim and witness service issues. Coordinates solutions involving multiple work units or agencies, determines appropriate program responses within delegated authority, and seeks executive direction when broader policy or resource decisions are required. Provides or coordinates direct assistance in particularly complex or urgent circumstances and ensures appropriate follow through by program staff.

Other duties may be assigned within the scope of the job classification.

Employment Standards:

Education and Experience

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in social work, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, public or business administration, or a closely related field; AND
• Four (4) years of experience in a criminal justice, social service advocacy/casework program, probation, or victim services program, preferably with experience in legal processes.

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