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-SD-12858782-MS. Responsibilities If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing a variety of victim and witness assistance functions in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of South Dakota. Typical work assignments will include: Conducts segments of training sessions and provides information and resources to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), support staff, agents and staff of federal investigative agencies, and state and local law enforcement and community services providers on victim assistance matters. Coordinating with federal investigative agencies and AUSAs to identify cases with victims and obtain victim contact information in a timely manner. Speaking to public, civic, industry and special interest groups on victim's issues Responding to victim inquiries, assesses victim concerns, and determines program eligibility for victim-witness services. Providing information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, results of trial, whether a defendant is incarcerated and for how long, opportunities to address the court, and post-sentencing notification. Providing in-court support during hearings and trials. Obtaining services and assistance for victims & witnesses through specific federal programs and funds. Maintains records and provides oversight of these special programs and funds. Assists staff by securing a wide variety of specialized victim services, e.g., translators, special transportation, etc.; and Provides witnesses with information pertaining to the criminal justice process, and the State Crime Victim Compensation Program application requirements. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must meet at least one of the following criteria or an equivalent combination of education and experience: GS-09: To qualify at the GS-09 grade level, you must have one of the following: at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is communicating with other organizations promoting the rights of victim services; responding to victim inquiries and/or providing information to victims regarding status of their case/trial; and providing in-court support during hearings and/or trials. -OR- Education: One of the following @types of education in a related field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Victimology, Criminal Justice): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. 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 combination, graduate education must be in excess of one (1) full year. GS-11: To qualify at the GS-11 grade level, you must have one of the following: at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is assisting in conducting workshops, presentations and/or meetings with law enforcement personnel and/or related officials; providing in-court support to victims during hearings /trials; providing a variety of information and assistance to victims and their families in navigating victim assistance programs and/or available resources (i.e., crisis intervention resources, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and resources, etc.); and responding to victim inquiries and/or providing information to victims regarding status of their case/trial. -OR- Education: One of the following @types of education in a related field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Victimology, Criminal Justice): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree; OR three (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 combination, graduate education must be in excess of two (2) full years. 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.
