Victim Witness Specialist

Overview

Job . Agency:
Public Safety.

Location:

Aberdeen, Watertown or Brookings (This position would be located in Northeast South Dakota.). Salary: $29.23 Hourly. Pay Grade: J. Closing Date: 02/05/2026.

This is a Full-Time position with the Department of Public Safety. For more information on Public Safety, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

SD Highway Patrol is hiring a Victim Witness Specialist to help guide victims and their families through the time after a fatal or serious injury crash. This position will work as a liaison with victims and their families between the SD Highway Patrol Troopers who investigate the crashes and the Office of Accident Records within the Department of Public Safety.

• Act in cooperation with the activities of other agencies that provide victim services.
• Act as a liaison between a victim/victim’s family and other agencies (SD Highway Patrol, other Law Enforcement, prosecuting Attorneys, and other available programs).
• Provide reasonable assistance to victims and families by answering questions, gathering and sending requested information, or answering questions about the specific case.
• Advise the victims of legal proceedings and their legal rights and responsibilities.
• Accompany the victims in criminal proceedings as requested and as feasible.
• Assist in determining the amount of monetary damage suffered by the victim.
• Participates in the training of law enforcement and the general public of the process and victim needs and issues.
• Follow-up with victim/victim’s family during the court process and aftermath of a fatal crash to keep them informed on appropriate updates with the fatal crash investigation.
• Assist in providing the status of crash and case information.
• Assist in finding resources and services for specific needs of the victim or the victim's family.
• Provide direct services to the victims of fatal or serious injury crashes.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Previous victim service experience is preferred, whether direct or as a service provider. An example of this would be victim advocate or specialist, or service provider such as SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) or Nursing.

Knowledge:

• Able to utilize Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, Power Point as well as navigate computer systems utilized by the South Dakota Highway Patrol

Skill:

• Adapt to difficult and changing situations, to include assisting in death notifications and on-scene or hospital response as needed

Ability:

• Availability to be on call 24/7 365 (weekends, holidays, nights).
• Must be able to work in a  law-enforcement  environment, aiding law enforcement or other 1st responders as needed

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08. Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online:  You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone:  Email: careers.us
/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

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