Victim Advocate

Victim SpecialistVictim Specialists assist people who have suffered direct physical, emotional, psychological, or financial harm. This direct or threatened harm can result from violent crime, crimes against children, domestic and international terrorism, civil rights violations, human trafficking crime, cybercrime, white-collar crime, and/or fraud. This posting is for openings in Indian Country. Applicants need three years of full-time work experience providing direct services to victims of violent crimes.DutiesProvides direct assistance services to persons who have suffered direct or threatened physical, emotional, psychological, or pecuniary harm as a result of violent crime, severe trauma, acts of terrorism, and/or fraud.Contacts victims, conducts needs assessment and develops an action plan for immediate and on-going services as indicated by the needs assessment.Provides crisis intervention services, which are directed toward de-escalating a situation, establishes physical and emotional safety, and provides concrete/basic needs services, emergency needs and reinforcing the victim's ability to make choices regarding possible courses of action.Maintains involvement either through outreach or membership on multidisciplinary teams, with local agencies that provide services to federal crime victims.Develops and implements trainings and presentations related to victim concerns and coordination with other federal and local law enforcement agencies, health, social services, schools, and advocacy organizations.RequirementsConditions of EmploymentMust be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance.Must have (or be able to obtain) a valid driver's license.Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)Travel may be required for victim assistance, special deployment, and/or conferences/trainingQualificationsIn addition to the basic requirements, applicants must also meet the Specialized Experience (SE) below:GS 11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE is:Worked within a law enforcement or victim services agency to provide direct victim assistance to include crisis intervention to victims who have suffered direct or threatened physical, emotional, psychological, or financial harm as a result of violent crime.GS 12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is:Worked within a law enforcement or victim services agency to provide direct victim assistance to include crisis intervention to victims who have suffered direct or threatened physical, emotional, psychological, or financial harm as a result of violent crime.In the realm of providing direct victim services, managed competing priorities of short-term projects and longer-term strategies with minimal guidance.Provided direct services to victims in specialized populations such as children, elderly, human trafficking, and mass violence.Selective Placement Factor: The Victim Services Division requires applicants to possess a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience in which the applicant is providing direct services to Indian Country victims of violent crimes, severe trauma, acts of terrorism, and fraud.Volunteer work experience may be considered supplemental to the 3 years of full-time, primary experience, but it will not be credited as meeting the selective placement factor.EducationPositive Education RequirementThis position has a specific education requirement; all applicants must verify completion of this basic educational requirement by submitting a copy of their college transcripts by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENT BELOW:Bachelor's degree (or higher) in behavioral or social science, or a discipline related to the victim assistance field, including but not limited to: Criminal Justice, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Victimology, Gender and Women Studies.ORCombination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.ORFour years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.