Victim Assistance Specialist

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland’s (USAO-MD) mission is to enforce and defend the laws of the United States of America through the prosecution of criminal cases brought by the Federal government; the prosecution and defense of civil cases in which the United States is a party; and the collection of debts owed to the Federal government that are administratively uncollectible. 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 www.ed.gov.

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 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.
If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing Victim Assistance Specialist support in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland, located in Baltimore, Maryland and Greenbelt, Maryland, focusing in the areas of routine assistance and liaison services to crime victims and witnesses to facilitate prosecutions.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Typical work assignments will include:

• Direct dissemination of information pertinent to various victim and witness protection laws
• Speaking to public, civic, industry, and special interest groups on victim’s issues
• Coordinating efforts with local victim services providers, social services, law enforcement based victim assistance providers, and prosecution based victim-witness staff
• Responding to victim inquiries, assessing concerns, and determining program eligibility for victim-witness services
• Advocating on behalf of crime victims in regard to issues and problems caused by crime
• Providing information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendant’s pleas, results of trial
• Providing in-court support during hearings and trials
• Obtaining services and assistance for victims and witnesses through specific federal programs and funds
• Reviewing literature on victim witness issues
• Generating statistical and quantitative reports and analysis of program activity
• Analyzing and applying changes in legislation, case law, and court rules

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-09 level, you must possess:

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) 3 of the 4 duties listed below:

• Providing resource referral counseling to crime victims and/or their families;
• Identifying routine resources that are available to provide referral to crime victims and/or their families;
• Presenting information and/or explaining policies or procedures to stakeholders;
• Performing routine and/or reoccurring victim assistance duties.

OR two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree; or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level.

OR a combination of the above described graduate education and specialized experience.

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) (3) out of the (4) the duties listed below:

• Identifying and/or utilizing resources within the community, state or federal areas for victims;
• Conducting workshops, seminars or other meetings with victim assistance subject matter specialist, local officials and/or members of the news media;
• Assistingcrime victims to access victim assistance funding and/or service (i.e. assisting in completing documents/applications);
• Performing outreach and/or collaboration with local, state, and/or Federal law enforcement, social services, or community organizations.

OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related; or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level. Your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR a combination of the above described graduate education and specialized experience.

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

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

NOTE(s):

• Experience: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
• 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.