Sullivan County HR committee approves reclassification creating crime victim specialist coordinator in DA's office

SULLIVAN COUNTY, N.Y. — The Sullivan County Human Resources Committee on Oct. 25 approved a resolution to abolish one crime victims services advocate position and create one crime victim specialist coordinator position in the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office, voting 5-0.

The new role, according to testimony to the committee, will have expanded responsibilities including development of policy and procedures, home and court visits, and coordination with law enforcement, schools and community partners. "This position is different in the previous position in that it's going to be policy and procedure creating, and it will include home visits, court visits, and contact with law enforcement agencies, schools, and various community partners. It reports directly into the district attorney," Julie, a human resources staff member, told the committee.

Committee members said the reclassification uses an existing budget line for the vacant post and will be budget-neutral for the remainder of the year; the salary increase was described as "a little bit" above the prior amount and was estimated in committee discussion to be about $11,000 annually. Committee members noted the change was timed to avoid a service gap because an…