MARSHALL — It’s something the Lyon County Attorney’s Office doesn’t have: a staff member who specializes in helping crime victims navigate the legal system. But the county is working toward changing that. This week, county commissioners approved a new job description for a crime victim services coordinator.

Besides approving the job description, commissioners also gave their approval for the county to begin advertising for the position.

Earlier this year, the county attorney’s office applied for a Crime Victim Services grant from the state Office of Justice Programs. County Attorney Abby Wikelius told commissioners that the grant would provide the funding needed to hire a victim services coordinator. It’s anticipated that the county attorney’s office will hear by the end of the month whether they will receive grant funding, Wikelius said.

If the county receives a grant, it could be renewed annually for about the next three years, Wikelius said.

According to the job description commissioners approved, the victim services coordinator would help communicate with crime victims, inform them about their legal rights and help explain court procedures. The coordinator would also help attorneys with preparing witnesses, and help raise awareness of issues affecting crime victims in the community.

Lyon County is currently one of the only counties in the area that does not have a victim services coordinator, Wikelius said Wednesday.