These positions are located in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Policy Office. BJA's guiding principal is to reduce crime, recidivism, unnecessary confinement, and promote alternatives to incarceration and a safe and equitable criminal justice system.
Summary
These positions are located in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Policy Office. BJA's guiding principal is to reduce crime, recidivism, unnecessary confinement, and promote alternatives to incarceration and a safe and equitable criminal justice system.
(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
These positions are located in the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Policy Office. They will serve as Policy Advisors in one or more criminal justice program areas. These include: crime reduction, law enforcement, adjudication, problem solving courts, corrections, managing institutional and community corrections populations, improving responses to and outcomes for criminal justice populations with behavioral health disorders, and advancing tribal justice. These Policy Advisors will develop, implement, and monitor performance of criminal justice program plans and will work closely with colleagues in BJA's Program Office who ensure compliance with grant and cooperative agreement terms and conditions. Policy Advisors will oversee the successful implementation of grants and cooperative agreement deliverables, helping to ensure increased capacity and sustainability of grant funded programs. Develops, analyzes, and interprets research, legislation, and input from criminal justice stakeholders to support program development, implementation and performance management. Uses grant and/or cooperative agreement policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and guidelines related to criminal justice. Provides training, technical assistance and guidelines, oversight, expertise and consultation to internal staff, management and program officials, awardees, review panels, applicants, recipients, and sub-recipients. Negotiates technical aspects of criminal justice programs on federal grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements. Monitors overall performance of criminal justice grantees related to adherence to research-based principles, fidelity to a model, and success in implementation.
Provides advice and guidance to resolve, implement, or manage program issues that involve major areas of uncertainty in approach or methodology in the assigned criminal justice program area. Makes recommendations related to criminal justice program planning and implementation in connection with prospective changes in functions in the criminal justice program area.
Serves as a technical expert in the administration of a wide variety of complex criminal justice issues and strategies to inform the development and management of grants and/or cooperative agreements, i.e., is called upon to provide advice, guidance, and information on grants and agreements with unprecedented issues and process. Develops and maintains effective relationships with national, state, tribal, and local experts, administrators, high-level officials, policy makers, and planners in assigned criminal justice areas. Serves as a BJA representative on interagency task forces focusing on criminal justice programs whose members may include high-level DOJ officials and other executive branch representatives.
Researches and prepares a variety of written materials related to criminal justice program issues, including scanning and engaging the criminal justice field to identify emerging issues and trends. Collects and analyzes data and information and prepares written responses to special information requests from a variety of audiences including leadership, Congress and the media. Develops and/or reviews criminal justice grant program materials, such as program plans, solicitation content and budget recommendations, justifications and program assessment of outcomes addressing BJA program priorities.
Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
Submit all required documents and Online Assessment Questionnaire.
Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
Pre-employment drug testing required.
1-year probationary period may be required.
This position requires Confidential Financial Disclosure.
See Other Information for further requirements.
Qualifications
MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Qualifying experience for the GS-13 level includes one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are: experience with criminal justice programs to include the laws, regulations, rules, policies and procedures for the oversight of evidenced based criminal justice interventions and strategies; experience with complex criminal justice administrative programs such as grants and cooperative agreements; experience formulating guidelines, implementing new developments and providing policy interpretation for criminal justice programs; experience evaluating and monitoring criminal justice program implementation, or experience as a technical expert in criminal justice programs such as those associated with grants and/or cooperative agreements.
Qualifying experience for the GS-12 level includes one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are: experience with criminal justice programs to include interpreting the laws, regulations, rules, policies and procedures for the evidence based criminal justice interventions and strategies; experience with standard criminal justice programs such as routine administration of grants and cooperative agreements; experience formulating draft guidelines, recommending the implementation of new developments and recommending policy changes for criminal justice programs; experience with criminal justice program implementation, or experience in criminal justice programs such as those associated with grants and/or cooperative agreements.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as described above will be further evaluated based upon the following technical qualifications:
Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to plan and execute work. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Knowledge of the laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and methods governing criminal justice strategies, practice and programs specifically related to crime reduction, law enforcement, adjudication, problem solving courts, corrections, managing institutional and community corrections populations, improving responses to and outcomes for criminal justice populations with behavioral health disorders, or advancing tribal justice. Ability to provide advice and guidance on criminal justice programs to include the laws regulations, rules, policies and procedures for the oversight of evidenced based criminal justice interventions and strategies specifically related to crime reduction, law enforcement, adjudication, problem solving courts, corrections, managing institutional and community corrections populations, improving responses to and outcomes for criminal justice populations with behavioral health disorders, or advancing tribal justice. Ability to apply analytical methods and techniques in the identification and resolution of criminal justice program administration issues.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.
Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures.
OJP also offers credit union services; ATM machine on-site; a health unit and on-site nurse for your usage.
Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program.
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 considered under all categories for which you are eligible.
For All U.S. Citizens: Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
For Status/Merit Promotion/VEOA candidates: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. 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 agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, or 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 ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. Under merit promotion procedures, to be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. Under category rating procedures, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc.
Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures.
OJP also offers credit union services; ATM machine on-site; a health unit and on-site nurse for your usage.
Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program.
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.
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and
5. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference
In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Pt Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation listed on the reverse of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act
To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.
Non-competitive Eligibility
You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans w/ service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees
If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from consideration.
- Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".).
- Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility.
- Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1 or 2".
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com
Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
810 7th Street NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20531
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
4. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and
5. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference
In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Pt Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation listed on the reverse of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act
To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.
Non-competitive Eligibility
You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans w/ service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees
If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from consideration.
- Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".).
- Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility.
- Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1 or 2".
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday-Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com
Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
810 7th Street NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20531
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
