This position is located in the Special Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division. The Section has the delegated authority to conduct investigations into allegations of unconstitutional conditions in correctional and juvenile facilities and disability institutions run by state and local governments. The Section's enforcement of these statutes generally requires extensive fact-finding prior to opening a formal investigation, during the investigation, and prior to filing a lawsuit.

Duties

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. The incumbent will serve as a Equal Opportunity Investigator in the Special Litigation Section's Corrections and Juvenile Justice Practice Group or in the Disability Practice Group. More information about these practice groups can be found on the Special Litigation Section website. The Corrections and Juvenile Justice Practice Group works to protect people's constitutional and other federal rights involving conditions and practices in jails, prisons, and juvenile justice facilities; and the rights of children and adolescents in the juvenile and criminal justice system. The Disability Practice Group seeks to enforce compliance with the integration mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act which prevents the unnecessary segregation of persons with disabilities in institutions such as mental health facilities, nursing facilities, and other congregate settings. The Disability Practice Group also addresses substandard conditions in publicly owned disability institutions. Duties include, but are not limited to: Assesses the specific nature of the allegations in the assigned matter. Reviews the allegations and supporting material; conducts preliminary research in computerized databases of newspapers and court decisions. Drafts a memoranda setting forth analysis of the matter under the applicable civil rights laws and recommendations for further action, if any, including whether to open a full investigation. Prepares investigative plans and conducts in-depth investigation, in consultation with Section attorneys and managers as appropriate. Plans and conducts on-site investigation, including interviews of victims, witnesses, and staff. Plans and manages document and statistical databases cataloging numerous incidents of alleged violations uncovered during the investigation. Identifies and reviews relevant websites, and other online sources of information; contacts and interviews any complainants, advocates, and others with relevant information. Assists attorneys in conducting contested litigation in federal court, including interviewing witnesses, gathering additional facts, communicating with expert witnesses to provide necessary factual information, and drafting affidavits, correspondence and other documents. Tracking and validating defendants' compliance with settlements, consent decrees, and court orders, recommending appropriate action when deficiencies are identified.

Requirements

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements In addition to the specialized experience, the following experience is preferred: Speaking, writing, listening, and reading in Spanish. Language proficiency of at least Limited Working Proficiency, Plus (at least Level 2+, as defined in lnteragency Language Roundtable skill level descriptions (www.govtilr.org) in Spanish reading, writing, and speaking will be given positive consideration but is not a required qualification for this position. Applicants who indicate [language(s)] language proficiency will be evaluated on their language skills. For the GS-12, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, public or other private sectors that is directly related to the position as listed above and which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes ALL of the following: - Experience conducting investigations of law enforcement, correctional, disability or juvenile justice facilities, or disability service agencies for civil rights violations and making recommendations; AND - Experience interviewing and communicating with witnesses and people who have been marginalized or traumatized; AND - Experience locating, collecting, and interpreting data and documents to discover patterns of possible constitutional or discriminatory violations. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. 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. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants applying for a grade higher than the grade you currently hold, must provide an SF-50, which shows type of service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary. Your SF-50 Form must also show the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s over one year old). No award SF-50s will be accepted. Current Civil Rights Division employees are not required to submit an SF-50. All qualifications, time-in-grade, and education requirements (if applicable) must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. YOUR RESUME MUST support your responses to the online questionnaire and provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement. If you are using experience to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, please ensure that your resume includes the month and year that you began and ended each position held or that position will not be credited toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating. Your latest resume submitted for this vacancy announcement will be used to determine qualifications and supersedes previous submissions.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Civil Rights Division 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20530 US
• Name: Robin Hofmann
• Email: [email protected]