Victim Assistance Specialist

Summary For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-GAM-12852154-MS. Duties If selected for this position, you will serve as a Victim Assistance Specialist in the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia's Victim Assistance Program. Duties include performing specific program activities within the district that promote compliance with federal laws and policy concerning assistance for federal crime victims. Programmatic activities include maintaining mutual communication between the district and federal, state, and local law enforcement, social service groups, and other organizations concerned with promoting the rights of victims, as well as providing direct services to crime victims during the criminal justice process. At the full performance level, you will provide a variety of services related to the victim witness program. Duties will include, but are not limited to: Serves as liaison between Assistant United States Attorneys and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies on victim matters. Provides advice to USAO District Management on victim matters. Responsible for the oversight, direction and guidance of the District's Victim Assistance Program. Administers special programs and funds for victim. Directing the dissemination of information pertinent to various victim assistance laws. Speaking to public, civic, industry and special interest groups on victim's issues. Reviewing literature and research on new and developing victim issues. Conducts training sessions to AUSAs and Support Staff by providing information and resources concerning victim assistance matters. Coordinating efforts with local victim services providers, state and local social services, state and local law enforcement-based victim assistance providers, and local prosecution-based victim assistance staff. Responds to victim inquiries, assesses concerns, and determines program eligibility for victim assistance services. Provides information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, results of trial, etc. Provides in-court support to victims during hearings and trials. Obtains services and assistance for victims through specific federal programs and funds. Provides in-court support to victims during and prior to hearings and trials, including courtroom orientation prior to testimony, facilitating opportunities for victims to consult with AUSAs prosecuting the case and locating a safe, separate waiting area apart from defendants and their counsel. Recommends and revises District policies and procedures as needed concerning witness travel services. Obtains services and assistance for witnesses through various federal programs and funding sources. Collaborate with law enforcement personnel, Federal investigative agency victim specialists and social service providers. Conducts victim assistance workshops, seminars, presentations and meetings with law enforcement personnel, Federal investigative agency victim specialists, state and local officials and members of community organizations. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or National Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing or assisting with the following types of duties: Advising upper-level management officials on victim matters, providing oversight and guidance for victim and witness programs to include the funds management of the special programs. Conducts training programs for staff concerning the administration and use of both victim and witness services. OR Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (such as a LL.M); OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of one full year. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.