Victim-Witness Specialist

Summary

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys Offices visit The major duties of this position are to assist with Assesses victims immediate need for assistance. Identify resources and provide referrals to crime victims and their families. Provides a variety of information and assistance to include crisis intervention resources assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries information on legal rights and resources available emergency housing options employment services and transportation assistance. Effectively utilizes appropriate community state and/or Federal victim assistance resources.


If selected for this position you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for assisting and providing direct assistance and services to crime victims. Typical work assignments will include:

• Assist Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in locating victims and assessing their ability to testify in court proceedings.
• Provides in-court support to victims during and prior to hearing and trials including courtroom orientation prior to testimony facilitating opportunities for victims to consult with AUSAs about potential challenges to successful court appearance by victims.
• Informs victims of their rights under Federal law and assists victim with exercising those rights throughout the prosecution.
• Informs victims of the various means available to seek financial restitution efforts. Assists crime victims in completing applications and required documents to access victim assistance funding or needed services.
• Develops United States Attorneys Office victim-centered responses in mass casualty death penalty human trafficking and other complex or challenging victim cases.
• Build collaboration and partnerships with key partners to support victims and agencys goals and priorities.
• Maintain expertise related to victim assistance programs and best practices for crisis interventions for victims of crime

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-12: To qualify at the GS-12 grade level you must have one of the following:
at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 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 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: 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