The Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support (DESS) is seeking a highly motivated and dedicated professional to serve as the Senior Special Assistant to the assigned Deputy Assistant Director. In this role, the selected individual will work closely and collaboratively with senior leadership to advance key initiatives and support strategic projects critical to the mission of the office. If you are a driven, innovative leader committed to excellence, we encourage you to apply.
Summary
The Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support (DESS) is seeking a highly motivated and dedicated professional to serve as the Senior Special Assistant to the assigned Deputy Assistant Director. In this role, the selected individual will work closely and collaboratively with senior leadership to advance key initiatives and support strategic projects critical to the mission of the office. If you are a driven, innovative leader committed to excellence, we encourage you to apply.
As a Pretrial Services Officer (Senior Special Assistant), you will:
Design and recommend strategic and long-range plans that involve delivering DESS services and functions. Working with senior leadership ensures that plans are consistent with PSA goals and objectives and with the courts' needs and are legally and technically accurate. Design and recommend alternatives to address -critical requirements or to improve operational efficiency. Prepare plans and other documentation after decisions are made.
Responsible for the collective organizational evaluation of programs that affect DESS offices and community-based outreach programs. Work closely and collaboratively with the staff and leadership from agency offices and performs duties such as development or revision of office evaluation methods and/or performance measures and standards; reviews of evaluation data and information submitted by teams and units; assessment of program effectiveness and adherence to policies, standards and protocols; and identification of areas needing improvement. Advise senior leadership and the Deputy Assistant Director on strategies for addressing needed improvements, coordinating with responsible staff, and developing final proposals for implementation.
Maintain continuing oversight of designated office initiatives and priorities, regularly collaborating with senior leadership. Ensure thorough coordination and review of work with responsible staff; compliance with the office objectives; and timely completion and appropriate results of initiatives. Identify issues that impede communication, production of a final product, or other outcomes, and work with managers and staff to resolve issues and remove barriers that impede progress. Recommend strategies or procedures to the Deputy Assistant Director for improved integration of office responsibilities, coordination, and communication among teams, units, and staff.
Prepare, review, or edit policies, procedures, instructions, correspondence, and reports. Gather and analyze information, write or consolidate information into final products, and coordinate with responsible staff. Material may be for signature by the Deputy Assistant Director for distribution to the Assistant Director.
Manage special projects that involve DESS offices and/or coordination with external agencies and organizations. Develop plans for and conducts special studies and/or coordinate efforts with appropriate stakeholders. Ensure that PSA mission, goals, and objectives are addressed in projects, and those areas such as resource allocation, technology, planning, and evaluation are appropriately considered in the management of projects. Document studies and provide written recommendations, alternatives, and rationale, providing a foundation for decisions by the Deputy Assistant Director.
Review DESS functions and new programs or developments in other jurisdictions or other relevant external programs. Identify areas with potential application to PSA and recommend methods of incorporation into ongoing programs. Maintain continuing awareness of delivery of office services requirements and policy and program changes of other criminal justice agencies related to PSA. Advise on effects of current or planned programs and policies and incorporates into policy efforts.
Coordinate a variety of management areas for senior leadership, including, but not limited to, human resources, financial management, procurement, and information technology. Develop or recommend positions, strategies, or approaches to ensure that objectives of the Deputy Assistant Director are fully considered and met to the maximum extent possible and that programs are facilitated through responsive management support.
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, if not already completed
Position may be subject to random drug testing
Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the close of this announcement
Status applicants for promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade
This position is designated as a secondary law enforcement position for purposes of law enforcement retirement provisions. Only candidates who have at least 3 years of current federal services in primary law enforcement officer positions OR current federal service in a secondary law enforcementposition are eligible for law enforcement retirement coverage while occupying this position. Candidates who do not have the required service under federal law enforcement retirement provisions will be expected to sign a statement acknowledging that he/she will not be covered by law enforcement retirement.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies
Bargaining Unit Status and Chapter: Not Covered, AFGE Local 1456
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic professional requirements, and specialized experience requirement below.
Basic Professional Requirements: Degree in behavioral or social sciences or related disciplines appropriate to the position; OR A 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 demonstrates that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field; AND
Specialized Experience: To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level, that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. Specialized experience is defined as managing complex projects and administering authorized directives to senior level officials. This includes applying expert knowledge in the delivery of services associated with the Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support including but not limited to policies and procedures that cover pretrial, and community-based interrelationships, the courts, law enforcement agencies, and other external stakeholder agency/organizational policies and programs.
NOTE: Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the experience requirements will result in an "Ineligible" rating.
Education
There is education substitution at this grade level.
You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation
Additional information
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
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. Opens 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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your rating will be based on your responses to the job specific information provided in your resume. Your resume must clearly show how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities will result in a rating of "Qualified" by the rating panel.
1. Skill in evaluating and analyzing initiatives and the ability to determine the effectiveness of management processes.
2. Skill in managing multiple projects, the ability to organize work which may have conflicting priorities to meet established deadlines.
3. Ability to foster communication effectively both orally and in writing between agency stakeholders, leadership, and servicing components.
Once the application process is completed, your application will be reviewed to ensure you meet the job requirements. You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training, job- related awards and supervisory appraisal of performance. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your resume will be forwarded to a panel for rating. Category Rating will be used to evaluate applicants using the following categories to further determine which applicants will be referred to the selecting official for final consideration.
Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level on all evaluation criteria.
Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level on evaluation criteria.
Qualified: Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume listing hours worked per week, salary, dates of employment, duties performed and grade level. Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
2. Your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. If you previously held a law enforcement position and were covered under retirement plan M, MF, or MR, please attach your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. You can confirm your retirement coverage by checking Box 30 (Retirement Plan) on your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. (Award Notification of Personnel Actions are not acceptable).
3. Other supporting documents:
College transcript(s), may be required to satisfy the basic professional requirement. Transcripts must include the school's name, student name, degree and date awarded, if applicable. (Note: If you are selected for the position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day)
Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (11/05/2026) to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Shelly Monroe at 202-740-8543 or Shelly.Monroe@psa.gov to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.
Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support
633 Indiana Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
US
Next steps
Once the on-line application and supporting documents are 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 rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume listing hours worked per week, salary, dates of employment, duties performed and grade level. Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
2. Your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. If you previously held a law enforcement position and were covered under retirement plan M, MF, or MR, please attach your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. You can confirm your retirement coverage by checking Box 30 (Retirement Plan) on your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. (Award Notification of Personnel Actions are not acceptable).
3. Other supporting documents:
College transcript(s), may be required to satisfy the basic professional requirement. Transcripts must include the school's name, student name, degree and date awarded, if applicable. (Note: If you are selected for the position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day)
Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date (11/05/2026) to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Shelly Monroe at 202-740-8543 or Shelly.Monroe@psa.gov to obtain instructions on how to submit an alternative application.
Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding 2 pages will be removed from consideration. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement.
Division of Defendant Engagement and System Support
633 Indiana Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
US
Next steps
Once the on-line application and supporting documents are 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 rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
