Victim Witness Specialist

Full Job Description

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 All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-TNW-12857376-DE

GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 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-7 level.

Specialized experience is defined as experience managing calendars and travel, tracking expenditures, interacting with difficult personalities or people in difficult circumstances, and maintaining interpersonal relationships with a variety of specialized groups and the general public to support communities.

Education One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., social sciences (including, for example, any degree that involves the study of human development, social dynamics, governmental organizations, or public policy); liberal arts (including, for example, any degree that requires demonstrated skill in the nuanced use of language or voice); human health (including, for example, any degree involving study of the physical, intellectual, or personal needs of individuals); and the sciences (including any degree that demonstrates a capacity to solve challenging problems under a structured set of rules)): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B., or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

Education must be obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position; Combining Education and Experience Combination of specialized experience and graduate education (as described above), which when combined equal 100% of the requirements.

To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study).

To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together.

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 supporting others that advocate on behalf of crime victims; providing information to victims and witnesses in regard to status of cases and results of trials; providing in court support during hearings; and obtaining services and assistance for victims and witnesses.

Education One of the following types of education in a related field (defined above under GS-09): a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctorate degree; 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.

Combining Education and Experience Combination of experience and graduate level education that when combined, are equivalent to 100% of the required qualifications.

Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years can be used in this calculation.

To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed 36 semester hours (or your school's definition of two years of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study).

To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together.

The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%.

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/.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) -VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce.

To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service.

If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Special Employment Consideration - Persons with disabilities, veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the armed forces, and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for non-competitive appointments.

For further information, click on the links provided below .

You must specify in your online questionnaire under what authority you wish to be considered and submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities Links: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-of-Appointments

Major Duties:

At the full performance level, the Victim Witness Specialist will provide direct assistance and liaison services to crime victims and witnesses to facilitate prosecutions.

If selected, you will receive formal and/or on-the-job training as needed. Duties include: Provides Assistant U.S. Attorneys with information regarding victims and witnesses.

Makes recommendations to AUSAs about potential challenges to successful court appearances by victims and witnesses.

Assists AUSAs in locating victims and witnesses and assesses their ability to testify in court proceedings. Answers questions from AUSAs and follows up on inquiries regarding victims or witnesses.

Tracks victim cases in the office. Schedules appointments, phone conferences and meetings with victims and witnesses as requested by the assigned attorney or as initiated by the victim or witness.

Makes transportation and hotel arrangements to facilitate court appearances. Provides advisory guidance and assistance in preparing victim impact statements.

Aids in preparing victims and witnesses to deliver testimony. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.