Victim Witness Specialist

If selected for this position, you will serve as a Victim Witness Specialist providing routine assistance and liaison services to crime victims and witnesses to facilitate prosecutions, and work with US Attorney's Office, federal law enforcement and other state and local agencies. The position is located in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) Western District of Kentucky in Louisville, Kentucky. Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Assess victims' immediate needs for assistance
• Provide attorneys with information regarding witnesses and victims
• Preparing victims and witnesses to delivery testimony in court
• Provide victims and witnesses with information about the criminal justice process, court proceedings, and the various means available to seek financial restitution
• Maintain relationships with a network of Federal, State and Local law enforcement, agency investigators, and social service organizations
• Conducts presentations with victim assistance workshops, seminars and meetings to law enforcement, agency specialists, and community organizations
• Provides in-court support to victims during and prior to hearings and trials including courtroom orientation and facilitating opportunities for victims to consult with case prosecutors and other staff members.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• 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.

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 by supporting the program's ongoing communication needs; assisting attorneys with victim-witness trial preparation and information; collaboration with law enforcement personnel and/or social service providers; conducting and/or providing assistance with workshops, seminars, presentations, and/or meetings.

Education:One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice or Social Work): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LLB 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.


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/.