Victim Witness Specialist
United States Attorneys' Offices
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Job summary
United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas is seeking a Victim Witness Specialist to support victims and witnesses throughout the prosecution process. The role involves coordinating services, providing court support, and assisting with case status updates and testifying preparation, in Plano, TX or Sherman, TX.
The position guides victims through eligibility determinations, referrals, and coordination with AUSAs, ensuring comprehensive support for those affected by crime.
Responsibilities
- Respond to inquiries from victims and witnesses and determine program eligibility for victim-witness services.
- Identify resources and referrals for victims, families, and witnesses.
- Assist AUSAs in locating victims and witnesses and assessing testimony readiness.
- Inform victims about schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas, and results of trial.
- Arrange transportation and lodging for victims and witnesses to facilitate court appearances.
- Provide in-court support to victims and witnesses during and prior to hearings and trials.
- Prepare victims and witnesses to testify and aid in the preparation of victim impact statements.
- Collaborate with law enforcement personnel and Federal investigative agency victim specialists and social service providers.
- Develop a network of victim service providers to increase resources and services for victims and witnesses.
- Speak to groups on victims' issues to publicize Federal efforts and improve assistance programs.
- Secure specialized victim services for USAO staff (e.g., translators, transportation).
Job description
This announcement is open to current or former federal employees and specific hiring authorities.
This announcement is open to current or former federal employees and specific hiring authorities.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.
This position is also being announced under 26-TXE-13054636-MS (Merit Staffing).
There is one position to be filled in either Plano, TX or Sherman, TX.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
If Selected For This Position, You Will Serve As a Victim Witness Specialist For The United States Attorney's Office For The Eastern District Of Texas. Typical Work Assignments Will Include
- Responding to victim and witness inquiries concerning a variety of difficulties they may experience as a direct result of a crime and determining program eligibility for victim-witness services.
- Identifying resources and providing referrals to crime victims, their families, and witnesses.
- Assisting AUSAs in locating victims and witnesses and assessing their ability to testify in court proceedings.
- Providing information to victims on schedule changes, status of defendants' pleas, and results of trial.
- Making transportation and hotel arrangements for victims and witnesses to facilitate court appearances.
- Providing in-court support to victims and witnesses during and prior to hearings and trials.
- Preparing victims and witnesses to deliver testimony and aiding in the preparation of victim impact statements.
- Collaborating with law enforcement personnel, Federal investigative agency victim specialists and social service providers.
- Developing a network of victim service providers to increase resources and services to comprehensively support crime victims and witnesses.
- Speaking to public, civic, industry, and special interest groups on victims' issues to publicize Federal efforts to develop and improve assistance programs.
- Assisting USAO staff by securing a wide variety of specialized victim services, e.g., translators, special transportation, etc.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress
Conditions of employment
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
- You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for specific details.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
- You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
- A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
To qualify for the position of Victim Witness Specialist, at GS-0301-9/11, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.
To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, a combination of Education and Experience.
One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: assisting in a victim-witness or similar program; assisting attorneys with information regarding victims and witnesses; assisting attorneys in trial preparation which includes victim-witness issues; informing victims and/or witnesses of their rights and assist victims with exercising those rights throughout the prosecution; informing victims of the various means available to seek financial restitution; providing information to victims and/or witnesses regarding status of cases and results of trials; providing in court support during hearings; obtaining services and assistance for victims and/or witnesses; and performing as an advocate for the mission of the organization.
One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B or JD., if related); OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be more than 1 full year.
To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.
One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: administering and providing services of special programs and funds for victims and witnesses; assisting attorneys in locating victims and assessing their ability to testify in court proceedings; providing court support to victims during and prior to hearings and trials; providing information to victims and witnesses on schedule changes, status of defendant's pleas and results of trial; informing victims and/or witnesses of their rights and assisting victims with exercising those rights throughout the prosecution; informing victims of the various means available to seek financial restitution; provide advisory guidance and assistance in preparing victim impact statements; serve as a speaker to civic, industry and special interest groups on victims issues; conducting training to law enforcement and community service providers on victim's issues and victim-witness matters; review literature regarding victim and witness issues.
One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (such as a LL.M., if related); OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be more than 2 full years.
The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 10/09/2026 of this announcement.
Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.
After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 10/09/2026 to complete the assessment which is part of your application.
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System
The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy.
If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
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. Open in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.
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