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Position Title
Legal Administrative Specialist (Victim-Witness Assistance Program Manager)
Agency
Offices, Boards and Divisions
Announcement Number
24-GMS-CRM-004-DEU Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 to Wednesday, April 24, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the Department of Justice? 
To be eligible under CTAP you must meet all of the following:
  1. You are located in the same local commuting area of this vacancy; AND,
  2. You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you were (or will) be separated from; AND,
  3. You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were (or will be) separated from; AND,
  4. Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful, or the equivalent. 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center...

To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate supporting documentation, such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) form.
(limit characters)
3.

Are you an employee that was involuntarily separated from another agency due to a reduction-in-force (RIF)?
The Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) is an inter-agency program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (not their current or former agency), by giving these employees selection priority over other applicants from outside the agency.

You may be eligible for ICTAP if:

  1. You're a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced employee—you've received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF).
  2. The agency you're applying to is accepting applications from outside of their workforce.
  3. The job you're applying to is in the local commuting area.
  4. You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job you're applying for.

For example, if you work for the Department of Defense and receive a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, you can apply for a competitive service job in the local commuting area at the Department of Justice.

To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. In the last five years (from the closing date of this announcement) have you served, or are you currently serving, as an Executive Branch Political, Schedule C, or Non-career Senior Executive Services appointee? You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at the SF-50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President with or without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A noncareer SES appointee serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
(limit characters)
2.
I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
(limit characters)
3. You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening and background investigation, which includes a drug screening. Do you accept this condition? (limit characters)
4. I have read the full vacancy announcement on USAJOBS and understand the requirements laid out under Required Documents section. I understand that failure to provide a required document may result in my application being rated ineligible, incomplete, or that I may be rated based on the information I do provide. I further understand that my resume must contain sufficient information about my work experience in order for me to receive credit.

Refer to the USAJOBS job opportunity announcement for the full list of required documents for each group of applicant.
(limit characters)
5. The Department of Justice requires that you provide proof that for 3 out of the last 5 years you have resided in the United States, worked for the United States in a foreign country in a Federal or U.S. military capacity for 3 out of the last 5 years, and/or been a dependent of a Federal or U.S. military employee in a foreign country for 3 out of the last 5 years. Are you able to provide sufficient documentation to meet this residency requirement? (limit characters)
6. THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION

The duty location for this position is in Washington, DC. Are you willing to come into the office at least four (4) days per pay period, or as required by Division policy?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Legal Administrative Specialist (Victim-Witness Assistance Program Manager), GS-0901-13 position with the Department of Justice. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application.

Please list any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years (DO NOT SUBMIT SF-50s.) For credit to be granted, you must enter the month and year the award was received in the narrative box below. (If you do not have awards to list, please place N/A in the narrative box.)

Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Your resume must clearly reflect examples of your selected responses. If selected for an interview, you may be asked to give specific examples during your interview. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you from consideration for this position. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit this application. Incomplete/incorrect responses may result in you not receiving appropriate consideration.
(limit characters)
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SPF): In addition to the specialized experience requirements, one (1) or more Selective Placement Factor(s) will be used to determine minimum qualifications. If you do not possess the following requirement(s), you will not be given further consideration for this position. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. Do you have extensive experience in enforcing victim-witness protections in compliance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Crime Victim Rights Act, and the Attorney General Guidelines on Victim and Witness Assistance or similar victim-witness protections under state law? (limit characters)
2. List the specific position(s) and date(s) from your resume that validates your response to Question #1. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. Do you have extensive experience applying victim-centered best practices in the federal or state criminal justice system, experience working with victims of human trafficking, criminal civil rights violations, and related crimes, experience coordinating among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and non-governmental victim advocates, experience training others in victim-witness issues in the context of federal or state criminal investigations and prosecutions, and experience producing substantive written work product related to victim-witness issues in the federal or state criminal justice system? (limit characters)
4. List the specific position(s) and date(s) from your resume that validates your response to Question #3. (limit characters)
Please select the statement that best describes the experience you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Legal Administrative Specialist (Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager) at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.  (Select one) (limit characters)
5. I have at least one full-time year (12-months) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or other pay system in the Federal service that demonstrates that I have experience performing all of the following: developing and implementing strategies for spreading information about victim and witness protection laws, policies, and programs; providing training and guidance to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and other official personnel on victim and witness-related matters and other relevant victim services; offering in-court support during hearings and trials. (limit characters)
For each technical area below, select the response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and demonstrated capability. (limit characters)
6. Work with law enforcement personnel, victim-witnesses, victim advocates, and victim service providers to address medical, psychological, social service, safety, and other needs to stabilize victims and enable them to provide testimony and statements. (Attention to Detail)
(limit characters)
7. Provide timely notifications to victims and their representatives, and coordinate issuance of notification letters in cases handled by the Criminal Section, in coordination with USAOs as appropriate. (Customer Service)
(limit characters)
8. Maintain communication with victim-witnesses, including in-person assistance as necessary, to support victims' participation in investigations, grand jury proceedings, trial preparation, trial, submission of written and oral victim impact statements, hearings, and other relevant aspects of criminal investigations and prosecutions. (Oral Communication)
(limit characters)
9. Identify potential resources available to victims of trafficking and other federal civil rights crimes and disseminate guidance to federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, task forces, and NGOs to facilitate access to victim assistance resources. (Decision Making)
(limit characters)
10. Develop and implement procedures to comply with federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies pertaining to crime victims and witnesses. (Problem Solving)
(limit characters)
Please select the answer that best indicates your experience demonstrating the ability to fulfill the duties of a Legal Administrative Specialist (Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager) at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. (Select Yes or No) (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
11. Compile, draft, and review submissions for mandatory periodic reports. (Attention to Detail)
(limit characters)
12. Coordinate with relevant components on issues impacting victim-witness assistance and victim-centered best practices. (Customer Service)
(limit characters)
13. Disseminate expertise and guidance through distance learning platforms, publications, and outreach. (Oral Communication)
(limit characters)
14. Develop and deliver training programs. (Decision Making)
(limit characters)
15. Coordinate issuance of certifications, letters, and other correspondence. (Problem Solving)
(limit characters)
Please select the statement that best describes the experience you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Legal Administrative Specialist (Victim Witness Assistance Program Manager) at the GS-13 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.  (Select one) (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
16. Delegate appropriate projects, tasks, and assignments to other victim-witness personnel. (Attention to Detail)
(limit characters)
17. Assist law enforcement, victims, and victim advocates in facilitating access to services, benefits, and legal protections for crime victims and witnesses. (Customer Service)
(limit characters)
18. Plan and conduct training sessions on victim issues for personnel as required by applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies. (Oral Communication)
(limit characters)
19. Assess current practices to develop improved strategies for providing services to victims of human trafficking and criminal civil rights offenses and ensuring compliance with all applicable victim protections. (Decision Making)
(limit characters)
20. Supervise completion of delegated projects, tasks, and assignments, and consult with management as necessary. (Problem Solving)
(limit characters)