Tribal Victim Assistance Specialist

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-NM-13070425-MS. Responsibilities At the full performance level, the Tribal Victim Assistance Specialist will provide a variety of services related to the victim witness program. Specific duties will include: Coordinating or performing dissemination of information to various victim assistance laws, Department of Justice policy and programs on victim assistance and services in Indian Country. Serves as an advocate for matters within the district and provides assistance, guidance, and training sessions to the U.S. Attorney, district staff, and staff of tribal, federal, state, and local legal and law enforcement organizations. Develops and maintains a library of resource materials for use by tribal victims, community organizations, and district office staff. Advocating on behalf of crime victims in regard to issues and problems caused by the crime being prosecuted in the District. Providing in-court support during hearings and trials Responding to tribal victim inquiries via phone, e-mail, letters, and fax, assessing victim concerns, and determining program eligibility for victim assistance services. Provide authoritative advice to District USAO Management and act as a focal point for tribal victim matters within the District. Plan, direct, and perform tribal victim assistance program operations within the District. Serves as liaison between U.S. Attorney and tribal, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on victim matters. Speaks at forums with high-level officials from a variety of organizations to publicize federal efforts to develop and improve programs for victims, and to promote interest and support at the local level. Coordinate efforts with investigative agencies, prosecutors and EOUSA personnel on all large victim cases to minimize the cost of notification while not jeopardizing the receipt of notification. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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, OR a combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service performing the following types of duties: assisting with ongoing victim-witness communication needs; communicating effectively by utilizing a variety of written media; providing services to vulnerable populations; interacting with Tribal and/or Pueblo communities; and working with law enforcement and community providers. Education: Master's or equivalent degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice); OR 2 (two) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading such to 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. Combination of 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 a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 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 performing the following types of duties: coordinating, speaking, and developing training for the agency; providing direction of other victim witness staff; developing a network with federal, tribal, and state prosecution-based victim assistance staff; providing trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services to victims and witnesses of crime. Education: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice), or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M 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. Combination of 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 a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 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 Relocation Expenses: Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. Relocation Incentive: Relocation incentives may be authorized if this position is determined to be difficult to fill, if supported by the skills of the selected candidate, and subject to the availability of funds. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentives may be authorized if this position is determined to be difficult to fill, if supported by the skills of the selected candidate, and subject to the availability of funds. Benefits: 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/Policy: 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. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. 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.