The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York'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.

Duties

This Victim Witness Specialist provides routine assistance and liaison services to crime victims and witnesses to facilitate prosecutions. Duties include communicating with victims and witnesses to assess their needs; providing routine resource referrals to crime victims, their families and witnesses. 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 New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, focusing in the areas of assisting victims by serving as liaison with USAO prosecutors; and supporting outreach and collaboration efforts with local, state and Federal law enforcement, Federal investigative victim specialists, community organizations and social service agencies. Typical work assignments will include: Assesses victims' immediate needs for assistance. Identifies routine resources that are available and provides referrals to crime victims, their families and witnesses. Contacts supervisor for assistance with unique or specialized victim needs. Provides information and assistance to include crisis intervention resources, assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries, information on legal rights and resources available, emergency housing options, employment services and transportation assistance. Following USAO standardized procedures, utilizes appropriate community, state and/or Federal victim assistance resources. Provides attorneys with information regarding victims and witnesses. Aids in preparing victims and witnesses to deliver testimony. Schedules appointments, phone conferences and meetings with victims and witnesses as requested by the assigned attorney or as initiated by the victim or witness. Makes transportation and hotel arrangements to facilitate court appearances. Provides routine guidance and assistance in preparing victim impact statements, contacting supervisor for assistance when necessary. Provides in-court support to victims during and prior to hearings and trials, including courtroom orientation prior to testimony, facilitating opportunities for victims to consult with AUSAs prosecuting the case and locating a safe, separate waiting area apart from defendants and their counsel. Attempts to keep victims and witnesses cooperative and participating in the criminal justice process by communicating in a respectful and professional manner, answering questions, and listening to victims' concerns and offering assistance/support when appropriate. Provides victims and witnesses with routine information about the criminal justice process and court proceedings. Facilitates victims' understanding and expectations of the criminal process. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National to apply for this position.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• A pre-employment drug test will be required.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).
• Time-in-Grade: Current or former Federal employees applying under merit promotion considerations must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements for consideration within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
• You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

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-09 level, you must possess: A. Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (3) of (4) of the duties listed below: 1) Assisting victims with crisis intervention resources, emergency housing options, employment services, and/or transportation assistance; 2) Communicating with Federal, state, and local law enforcement and victim service providers to establish assistance plans to support victims; 3) Documenting issues and/or providing advice on matters related to victims of crime; 4) Disseminating information pertinent to victim protection laws. -OR- B. Have completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of the position, such as Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) -OR- C. Have the specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have at least one year of graduate education as described in B, but less than the required two years. I have computed the percentage of the requirements that I meet, and the total is at least 100% (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.). (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) 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. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases).

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/

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

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.

Contacts

• Address US Attorney's Office Eastern District of New York 271-A Cadman Plaza East Brooklyn, NY 11201 US
• Name: MID-ATLANTIC SERVICE BRANCH
• Email: [email protected]