Victim Services Specialist I (Probation Counselor I)

Join the Fairfax County Police Department's Victim Services Division (VSD)-a team dedicated to providing hope, healing, and advocacy for those impacted by violent crime. As part of the Major Crimes Bureau, you will play a crucial frontline role in ensuring victims and their families receive the compassion, guidance, and resources they need during their most difficult moments.

As a victim servicesspecialist, you will be a trusted advocate and a steady source of support. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing comprehensive emotional, physical, financial, and practical assistance to victims of violent crime and their families.
• Delivering crisis counseling and intervention.
• Serving as a knowledgeable, compassionate liaison-helping victims navigate the criminal justice process and access critical services.
• Responding to crime scenes during evenings, weekends, and holidays to deliver immediate crisis support and follow-up care.
• Maintaining consistent communication with victims and witnesses throughout investigations, prosecutions, and court proceedings.
• Staying current on available community resources to ensure victims receive effective and personalized support.

Our ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is deeply committed to victim advocacy and empowering individuals during crisis.
• Thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure situations and can offer calm, steady support in emergencies.
• Has excellent communication, crisis intervention, and problem-solving skills.
• Brings an understanding of the criminal justice system and local community resources.
• Is compassionate, resilient, and ready to step in when others need help the most.

This role is more than a career-it's a calling. You will:

• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of crime victims and their families.
• Work alongside a dedicated, mission-driven team committed to justice, healing, and community service.
• Play a vital role in promoting safety, support, and empowerment across Fairfax County.

Apply today and become an essential part of the Fairfax County Police Department's Victim Services team.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;

• Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;

• Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;

• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work;

• Ability to interview and counsel clients;

• Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;

• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.

• Three years of professional work experience working in the victim services field directly working with victims of crime.
• Must live within 30 miles of the county line and be available for on-call response and be in route to a callback assignment within 30 minutes of notification.
• Must be available to work evening hours and some weekends to meet the needs of crime victims.
• Ideal candidate will have extensive experience working in a court system environment.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's license (required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, polygraph exam, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and ability to walk, stand, sit and use telephone. Employment contingent on completion of background investigation and employee is subject to random drug testing.
Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.