Victim Witness Specialist

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys•Miami, FL

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida is hiring a Victim Witness Specialist in Miami, Florida. The role supports the office’s Victim Witness program by providing services and practical support to crime victims and, as appropriate, witnesses and their families throughout the criminal justice process. The position includes managing notifications about victims’ rights and significant case events, supporting victims before and during court proceedings, responding to inquiries and assessing needs, and connecting victims with relevant services. The specialist also conducts outreach and develops partnerships with law enforcement, investigative agencies, community organizations, and service providers. The role includes reviewing relevant literature and guidance to ensure current practices, as well as training USAO staff on victim-witness matters. Responsibilities and assignment complexity increase as training and experience progress. The vacancy is in the Southern District of Florida, located in Miami, Florida. Telework eligibility was updated from Yes to No. Relocation expenses will not be authorized. This is a high-risk position subject to a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication and successful completion of a background investigation.

Requirements

Be a United States Citizen or National.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Federal salary payments must be made by direct deposit.
Satisfactorily complete pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks; continued employment is subject to a favorable background investigation.
Submit a resume and required supporting documents.
Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the announcement closing date and before placement.
For GS-9, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 performing at least three of the four specified victim-advocacy duties; or qualifying related graduate education (master’s/equivalent, two years of graduate education toward a master’s, or a related LL.B./J.D.); or an allowable combination of experience and education.
For GS-11, qualify through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 performing at least three of the four specified victim-services duties; or qualifying related graduate education (Ph.D./equivalent, three years of graduate education toward a doctorate, or a related LL.M.); or an allowable combination of experience and education.
Submit transcripts when claiming education; qualifying coursework and degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution. Foreign education must be documented as equivalent to U.S. accredited education.
Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements: one year at GS-7 for GS-9 consideration or one year at GS-9 for GS-11 consideration, and submit an eligible SF-50.
Complete an Optional Form 306 and certify the accuracy of application information if given a conditional offer.
A probationary period may be required.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage victim notifications concerning the criminal justice process, crime victims’ rights, and significant case events, including schedule changes, plea status, and trial results.
Provide in-court support to victims before and during hearings and trials.
Help victims prepare for court appearances, including preparing them to testify and assisting with victim impact statements.
Respond to victim inquiries, assess needs and concerns, determine program eligibility, and make appropriate referrals to victim assistance resources and services.
Conduct outreach and collaborate with law enforcement personnel, federal investigative agency victim specialists, and social service providers to foster working relationships and improve access to assistance programs.
Identify and develop a network of service providers to expand referrals and comprehensively support crime victims, their families, and witnesses as appropriate.
Review literature on victim-witness issues and ensure work follows current statutes, case law, policies, and guidance.
Train USAO staff on victim-witness issues, including Crime Victims Rights Act obligations, DOJ regulations and policies, and local processes.