Victim Witness Specialist

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.

At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience advocating on behalf of crime victims; providing information to victims regarding the status of cases and results of trials; providing in court support during hearings; and obtaining services and assistance for victims; analyzing victim communication needs; developing and administering a comprehensive victim/witness program;

conducting workshops or meetings with victim subject-matter specialists and related officials; and determining the elements of an effective victim assistance program.

One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, social work, Psychology, Sociology): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree; 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.

A combination of specialized experience as described in Specialized Experience and graduate education as described in Education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed 36 semester hours (or your school's definition of two years of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study).

To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first two (2) years may be used in this calculation.)

To be eligible at the GS-12 level, you must meet the specialized experience as defined below.

At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: analyzing victim-witness communication needs in order to develop and administer a comprehensive victim-witness program; providing recommendations to senior management on victim-related matters; providing information and direct support to crime victims throughout the legal process;

and coordinating with organization personnel, law enforcement, and victim service providers to provide victim services required by law.