Victim Witness Assistant

About the role

This position is located in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and supports the District’s Victim Witness Program. Typical work assignments include:

Responsibilities

• Respond to victim inquiries via phone, e-mail, letters and fax, perform initial screening of victim concerns, and determine program eligibility for victim-witness services.
• Maintain accurate resource materials that identify available counseling and treatment programs in the jurisdiction.
• Provide information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendants’ pleas, results of trial, and whether a defendant is incarcerated and for how long; opportunities to address the court; and post-sentencing notification.
• Orient victims to the Crime Victim Compensation Program and provide information on how to contact the program and how to submit an application.
• Coordinate with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to assist victims with the return of property held as evidence, obtaining copies of reports needed for securing services, and other assistance.
• Assist Victim-Witness staff and other support staff with logistics of court events: help victims and witnesses with employer-related issues for court appearances, prepare witnesses to testify by explaining processes and procedures and available resources, provide information on restitution to AUSAs, and forward Victim Impact Statements to U.S. Probation.
• Secure travel and lodging reservations for victims and witnesses, and prepare vouchers for payment and reimbursement of expenses.
• Assist with the mailing, emailing and distribution of victim and witness notifications and information.
• Input data into applicable databases and produce notification documents using the automated Victim Notification System (VNS).

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these qualifications throughout the hiring process.
• Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Victim Witness Assistant at GS-8, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following duties:

• Determining eligibility for victim witness services.
• Maintaining a tickler system of cases and informing Victim Witness staff of statuses.
• Assisting victims with applications for compensation programs.
• Preparing witnesses to testify by explaining processes and procedures.
• Maintaining working files consisting of correspondence and reports relating to victim witness cases.
• Preparing travel arrangements and vouchers for payment of expenses.

Proficiency in bilingual English/Spanish is highly preferred.