Victim Witness Advocate - Sagadahoc County DA

Start Date: June 13, 2025 | End Date: December 10, 2025
County: Sagadahoc County
Job Type: Other
More Information: Click here

Department: District Attorney Job Title: Victim/Witness Advocate I               

Starting Salary: $66,450 (from 7/1/2025)                    

Job Relationship:

1. Responsible to the District Attorney, Deputy District Attorney or any Assistant DA assigned to Sagadahoc County, as well as the office manager.
2. Manner of Review and Approval of Work:  Activities are reviewed and evaluated by the District Attorney or designee.

Employee Definition:  Full Time   Hours:  40

Job Summary: The Victim/Witness Advocate works with the public, court officials, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, victims and witnesses. The Victim/Witness Advocate will coordinate court schedules; notify victims and witnesses of scheduled events; assist the District Attorney and Assistant District Attorneys with victim preparation for trial; and attend court proceedings as required. This advocate is responsible for half of all cases involving an adult victim that are received by the DA’s office, as well as all adult Domestic Violence cases.

Essential and Representative Duties/Responsibilities:

• Contact Victims and Witnesses and explain court process.
• Keep Victim and Witnesses notified of the progress of the case and act as a liaison with the attorney assigned to the case.
• Review files to insure all necessary Victim and Witness information is current and obtain updated or additional information when needed. Ensure information is updated in the data management system.
• Inform victims of all plea discussions and notify the prosecutor of victims’ concerns.
• Screen cases for possible restitution and ensure documentation of loss.
• Maintain confidential notes concerning victims.
• Prepare list of Officers and Civilian Witnesses for Trial and motion dockets, and review witness list with a prosecuting attorney. Issue and monitor subpoenas as required.
• Notify law enforcement officers of scheduled court cases.
• Ensure that officers are present to testify and promptly released when no longer needed.
• Notify the prosecuting attorney of witness scheduling and availability issues.
• Create a Grand Jury schedule, after potential Grand Jury cases are reviewed by the prosecuting attorney, and notify or subpoena necessary witnesses
• Track cases presented during Grand Jury and draft a “Grand Jury Report”. One version for the court and a redacted version for public inspection.
• Maintain a record of Superior Court witnesses for proper payment of fees by the County Treasurer.
• Forward adult protective referrals to the correct agency for potential further investigation.
• Maintain and update the unavailable officer list.
• Request medical records when necessary.

This description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities associated with this position.  While this is intended to be a reflection of the current position, management reserves the right to revise these responsibilities or require other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change i.e., emergencies, changes in personnel, work load, rush jobs, technological development, etc.

Statute Reference:    Title 30-A, Sec.460. Working Conditions and Job Hazards: 

General office conditions with contact with members of the public, including individuals charged with or convicted of committing crimes. Some contact with potentially hostile witnesses. Extensive contact with law enforcement agencies, officers, victims, witnesses, court personnel, and attorneys.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to sit, walk, speak, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to operate controls; reach with hands and arms, climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level is usually moderate. 

Specifications/Qualifications:

1. Education and training: High school diploma or equivalent.

Preference: At least two years legal office, social service and/or law enforcement agency experience, or equivalent combination of education, training or work experience with applicable knowledge of the criminal justice process and related social services.

2. Computer and software proficiency and an aptitude for learning new programs.
3. Excellent communication skills and the ability to follow oral and written instructions.
4. Must pass a criminal background and motor vehicle record check.
5. Capacity to work under stressful conditions and meet deadlines, and a rigorous approach to self-management including mental health care.
6. The ability to interact professionally with victims in difficult situations.
7. Awareness of confidentiality and the requirements around maintaining it in the judicial system.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Sagadahoc County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We proudly provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Hiring decisions are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, family, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, or any other status protected by US law or the State of Maine. Fostering diversity and inclusion in our workforce is critical as a provider of essential services, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.