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 25-CO-12841918-MS. Responsibilities If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team in the Victim Assistance Program, performing a wide variety of services, including in-court support during hearings and trials. Typical work assignments will include: Provides direct support to crime victims, including by providing information on all public aspects of criminal prosecution (such as federal criminal procedures, case schedules, and case outcomes), responding to victim inquiries and assessing victim concerns, and, as appropriate, referring victims to agencies that provide additional services. Provides in-court support prior to and during hearings and trials, including by facilitating opportunities for victims to consult with prosecutors, providing courtroom orientation, and providing information about opportunities to address the court. Conducts basic briefings and provides information on victim assistance matters to attorneys, support staff, agents of federal investigative agencies and state and local law enforcement, and community services providers. Publicizes federal efforts to develop and improve programs for victims, and efforts to promote interest and support at the local level. Provides administrative support for the Victim Assistance Program, including by maintaining a calendar of active victim cases and associated court dates, inputting victim information into applicable databases, coordinating the mailing of victim notification letters, and making travel arrangements for victims to attend court hearings. Assists with planning and delivering district community outreach events on victim assistance and crime prevention issues. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications GS-7: To be qualified at the GS-7 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: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in Federal service. Examples of duties that demonstrate this level of specialized experience includes: experience assisting in the administration of a victim program; performing various phases of victim witness program assistance, such as responding to victim inquiries; notifying victims of case developments (schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, results of trials); disseminating information; maintaining resource materials; providing travel assistance. Experience communicating with a variety of people for the purpose of exchanging information and/or responding to inquiries; receiving and distributing incoming material; maintaining files. Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher level graduate education (18 semester hours or the number of units your school uses to describe one graduate year of academic study) in related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology and Sociology) leading to a Master's Degree OR bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. Superior academic achievement is as follows: standing in the upper third of your graduating class or major subdivision OR membership in one of the national scholastic honor Societies; OR Grade Point Average. Applicants must have a grade point average of: (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. 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, a combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education as described above, which when combined equal 100% of the requirements.(Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation). GS-09: To be qualified 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: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in federal service. Examples of duties that demonstrate this level of specialized experience includes: advocating on behalf of victims; providing information to victims in regard to status of cases and results of trials; providing in court support during hearings; and obtaining services and assistance for victims; and, performing various support functions that relate to victim witness. Education: One of the following @types of education in related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology and Sociology), A Master's Degree or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D,. if related); OR 2 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. Combination of 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 1 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; 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.
