Victim Assistance Specialist

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, in various locations.

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

As a Victim Assistance Specialist, at the full performance level GS-13, you will perform the following duties:

• Assists agents on scene when victims are likely to be encountered to provide mandated services, referrals, crisis mitigation, and information to crime victims.
• Independently establishes liaison with other field offices, DOJ components, and federal, state, and local officials and nongovernmental agencies regarding victim assistance.
• Coordinates with the United States Attorney Victim-Witness Coordinator to transition victim assistance responsibilities following indictment.
• Participates in local, regional, and statewide victim assistance networks, such as child and family advocacy centers.

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date:
  Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period:
  This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

You must possess one of the following to satisfy the Individual Occupation Requirements as defined by the Office of Personnel Management for the GS-0101 Job Series:

• Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
• OR
• Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field;
• OR
• Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement, you must meet the minimum qualifications below.

You Qualify For The GS-12 Grade Level If You Possess One (1) Year Of Specialized Experience At The GS-11 Next Lower Grade Level Or Equivalent Performing Duties Such As:

• Attend client interviews to address the victim's needs and concerns and determining eligibility for victim services;
• Follow policy and regulations regarding the treatment and provision of services to victims of crime; AND
• Liaison with community organizations, federal, state, and local officials regarding victim assistance services available.

You Qualify For The GS-13 Grade Level If You Possess One (1) Year Of Specialized Experience At The GS-12 Next Lower Grade Level Or Equivalent Performing Duties Such As:

• Identify local, regional, and federal resources available directly to victims;
• Establish relationships with other professionals, Federal, state, and local agencies, victims, judges, attorneys, law enforcement agents, and representatives from non-governmental service agencies; AND
• Provide training, technical assistance, support, and advice to office staff on a variety of federal victim assistance matters.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience):
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees:
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment…