Victim Assistant Specialist

About the role

At the full performance level, you will provide a variety of services related to the victim witness program.

Responsibilities

• Directing dissemination of information pertinent to various victim and witness protection laws
• Speaking to public, civic, industry and special interest groups on victim's issues
• Coordinating efforts with local victim services providers, social services, law enforcement based victim assistance providers, and prosecution based victim-witness staff
• Responding to victim inquiries, assessing concerns, and determining program eligibility for victim-witness services
• Advocating on behalf of crime victims in regard to issues and problems caused by crime
• Providing information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, results of trial
• Providing in-court support during hearings and trials
• Obtaining services and assistance for victims and witnesses through specific federal programs and funds
• Reviewing literature on victim witness issues
• Generating statistical and quantitative reports and analyses of program activity
• Analyzing and applying changes in legislation, case law and court rules

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

Conditions of employment include being a U.S. Citizen or National, and initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing.

• 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

To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least one of the following conditions: Specialized Experience, Education, or a combination of Education and Experience.

• Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level, including analyzing victim-witness communication needs, developing and administering a comprehensive victim-witness program, conducting workshops or meetings with victim-witness subject-matter specialists and related officials, and determining the elements of an effective agency witness program
• Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, in a related field such as Criminal Justice
• Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, with graduate education in excess of 2 full years

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.