The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania 's mission is to investigate, prosecute and deter violations of federal statutes, enforce and represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, uphold civil, constitutional and victims' rights, and foster partnerships with other federal, state and local government agencies and community groups. This position is being announced to applicants under Internal Merit Staffing procedures: 26-PAE-12942805-IMP.
Duties
This Victim Witness Specialist is located in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO). The incumbent leads efforts to provide assistance and liaison services to crime victims and witnesses to facilitate prosecutions. If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing Victim Witness Specialist support in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, focusing in the areas of communicating with victims and witnesses to assess their needs; providing resource referrals to crime victims, their families and witnesses; assisting victims by serving as liaison with USAO prosecutors; and performing outreach and collaboration with local, state and Federal law enforcement, Federal investigative agency victim specialists, community organizations and social service agencies. Typical work assignments will include: Directs the dissemination of information pertinent to various victim-witness protection laws and responds to victim-witness issues by communicating effectively with the public and law enforcement agencies. Provides information to victims and witnesses on status of cases, schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, and results of trials, whether a defendant is incarcerated, and for how long, opportunities to address the court, and post-sentencing notification. Responds to victim-witness inquiries, assesses concerns, and determines program eligibility for victim-witness services. Speaks to public, civic, industry, and special interest groups on victim-witness issues. Provides in-court support to victims and witnesses during and prior to hearings and trials, including courtroom orientation prior to testimony, facilitates opportunities for victims and witnesses to consult with attorneys prosecuting the case, and locates a safe, separate waiting area apart from defendants and their counsel. Obtains services and assistance for victims and witnesses, maintains records, and provides oversight and guidance for the victim-witness program to include the management of various funding sources through special federal programs. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Salary
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (4) of the (6) duties listed below: Advocating on behalf of crime victims regarding issues and problems caused by crime; Assisting in conducting training programs for employees concerning the administration and use of victim-witness services; Supporting ongoing victim-witness communication needs to maintain a comprehensive victim witness program; Providing direct support to crime victims and witnesses and assists with victim-witness travel services; Providing routine resource referrals to crime victims and their families and responds to inquiries by providing information to victims and witnesses regarding case or trial status; Assisting. employees by securing a wide variety of specialized victim-witness services such as translators, special transportation, etc. OR Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required basic requirement and specialized experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying: To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (4) of the (6) duties listed below: Assisting victims and witnesses by serving as a liaison with prosecutors; Conducting workshops, presentations, seminars, or meetings with victim-witness subject-matter specialists, law enforcement personnel, state and local related officials, and members of community organizations; Analyzing ongoing victim-witness communication needs to develop and administer a comprehensive victim-witness program; Developing protocols, policies, and standard operating procedures for the victim-witness program; Coordinating with victim-witness service providers of federal, state, and local law enforcement to provide resources and services to victims and witnesses of crimes; Providing extensive assistance and information to victims, witnesses, and their families by navigating assistance programs and available resources such as crisis intervention resources, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and resources, etc. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.
Education
If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. 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 https://www.ed.gov/ Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.In addition, when reviewing applicant's transcripts, assumptions will not be made. Applicants MUST state which coursework is relevant.
Required Documents
Note: Failure to submit a resume or supporting documentation may result in elimination for further consideration. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume: Your resume showing relevant experience, job titles, duties, dates (must include MM/DD/YY for full consideration) of employment and work schedule for each (part-time XX hours per week or full-time). Limit your resume to 2 pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. For more information, view the following link: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirement A complete Assessment Questionnaire Other supporting documents: College transcripts If you meet qualifications based on education: An unofficial college transcript. (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Education" section of this vacancy announcement. CTAP/ICTAP Documentation A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable: In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member you must submit a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates:1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and all the required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
