Victim Witness Specialist

Summary

This announcement is open to current or former federal employees and specific hiring authorities. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. This position is also being announced under 26-TXE-13054636-MS (Merit Staffing) There is one position to be filled in either Plano, TX or Sherman, TX. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Duties

If selected for this position, you will serve as a Victim Witness Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas. Typical work assignments will include: Responding to victim and witness inquiries concerning a variety of difficulties they may experience as a direct result of a crime and determining program eligibility for victim-witness services. Identifying resources and providing referrals to crime victims, their families, and witnesses. Assisting AUSAs in locating victims and witnesses and assessing their ability to testify in court proceedings. Providing information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendants' pleas, and results of trial. Making transportation and hotel arrangements for victims and witnesses to facilitate court appearances. Providing in-court support to victims and witnesses during and prior to hearings and trials. Preparing victims and witnesses to deliver testimony and aiding in the preparation of victim impact statements. Collaborating with law enforcement personnel, Federal investigative agency victim specialists and social service providers. Developing a network of victim service providers to increase resources and services to comprehensively support crime victims and witnesses. Speaking to public, civic, industry, and special interest groups on victims' issues to publicize Federal efforts to develop and improve assistance programs. Assisting USAO staff by securing a wide variety of specialized victim services, e.g., translators, special transportation, etc. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Victim Witness Specialist, at GS-0301-9/11, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below. 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, a combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: assisting in a victim-witness or similar program; assisting attorneys with information regarding victims and witnesses; assisting attorneys in trial preparation which includes victim-witness issues; informing victims and/or witnesses of their rights and assist victims with exercising those rights throughout the prosecution; informing victims of the various means available to seek financial restitution; providing information to victims and/or witnesses regarding status of cases and results of trials; providing in court support during hearings; obtaining services and assistance for victims and/or witnesses; and performing as an advocate for the mission of the organization. Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B or JD., 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. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be more than 1 full year. 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-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: administering and providing services of special programs and funds for victims and witnesses; assisting attorneys in locating victims and assessing their ability to testify in court proceedings; providing court support to victims during and prior to hearings and trials; providing information to victims and witnesses on schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas and results of trial; informing victims and/or witnesses of their rights and assisting victims with exercising those rights throughout the prosecution; informing victims of the various means available to seek financial restitution; provide advisory guidance and assistance in preparing victim impact statements; serve as a speaker to civic, industry and special interest groups on victims issues; conducting training to law enforcement and community service providers on victim's issues and victim-witness matters; review literature regarding victim and witness issues. 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., if related); 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: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be more than 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 CT