Victim Assistance Specialist

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Denver (CO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Job summary

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) invites applications for a Victim Assistance Specialist at the full performance level GS-13, with duties across various locations.

The role focuses on mandated victim services, crisis mitigation, and cross‑agency coordination to ensure victims receive comprehensive support. The position requires experienced professionals who can liaise with federal, state, and local partners, train staff, and collaborate with prosecutors to transition victim

Qualifications

• Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Combination of education and experience providing knowledge of one or more behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
• Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated knowledge of one or more behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Responsibilities

• Assists agents on scene to provide mandated services, referrals, crisis mitigation, and information to crime victims.
• Independently establishes liaison with other field offices, DOJ components, and federal, state, and local officials and nongovernmental agencies regarding victim assistance.
• Coordinates with the United States Attorney Victim-Witness Coordinator to transition victim assistance responsibilities following indictment.
• Participates in local, regional, and statewide victim assistance networks, such as child and family advocacy centers.

Skills

Behavioral sciences knowledge

Communication skills

Liaison/Coordination

Education

Behavioral or social science degree

Education + experience equivalent to major

4 years related experience in behavioral/social sciences

Job description

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

Organizational Location

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, in various locations.

These are non-bargaining unit positions.

Salary

The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

Duties

As a Victim Assistance Specialist, at the full performance level GS-13, you will perform the following duties:

• Assists agents on scene when victims are likely to be encountered to provide mandated services, referrals, crisis mitigation, and information to crime victims.
• Independently establishes liaison with other field offices, DOJ components, and federal, state, and local officials and nongovernmental agencies regarding victim assistance.
• Coordinates with the United States Attorney Victim-Witness Coordinator to transition victim assistance responsibilities following indictment.
• Participates in local, regional, and statewide victim assistance networks, such as child and family advocacy centers.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

You must possess one of the following to satisfy the Individual Occupation Requirements as defined by the Office of Personnel Management for the GS-0101 Job Series:

• Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position;
• OR
• Combination 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;
• OR
• Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement, you must meet the minimum qualifications below.

You Qualify For The GS-12 Grade Level If You Possess One (1) Year Of Specialized Experience At The GS-11 Next Lower Grade Level Or Equivalent Performing Duties Such As:

• Attend client interviews to address the victim's needs and concerns and determining eligibility for victim services;
• Follow policy and regulations regarding the treatment and provision of services to victims of crime; AND
• Liaison with community organizations, federal, state, and local officials regarding victim assistance services available.

You Qualify For The GS-13 Grade Level If You Possess One (1) Year Of Specialized Experience At The GS-12 Next Lower Grade Level Or Equivalent Performing Duties Such As:

• Identify local, regional, and federal resources available directly to victims;
• Establish relationships with other professionals, Federal, state, and local agencies, victims, judges, attorneys, law enforcement agents, and representatives from non-governmental service agencies; AND
• Provide training, technical assistance, support, and advice to office staff on a variety of federal victim assistance matters.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans , Peace Corps , VISTA volunteers , and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation.

Education

There is an Individual Occupational Requirements for this position. Please refer to the Qualifications section for additional information.

Additional Information

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

E-Verify

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.

Suitability

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, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Background Investigation

To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for Secret as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Benefits

• DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance
• retirement plan
• Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• personal leave days
• paid federal holidays
• Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.
• DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Direct Hire Authority

These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. The "Rule of Three", Category Rating and Veterans Preference will not apply to this vacancy. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans

Although the Direct Hire Authority permits hiring without regard to Veterans Preference, applicants who are eligible for Veterans Preference are still encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). Staffing Policy View information on veterans' preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well qualified category for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12564, and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan

ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions (testing designated positions) are subject to random drug testing. Moreover, other drug testing of employees (e.g., reasonable suspicion drug test) may be conducted in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. All applicants tentatively selected for employment at ICE are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative drug test result.