Conciliation Specialist Job

Vacancy No. CRS-25-12568757-DE Department Community Relations Service
Salary $62,107.00 to $115,079.00 Grade 11 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/8/2024 Close Date 12/31/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Birmingham, ALRiverside, CASacramento, CASan Diego, CA


Summary

This is a Conciliation Specialist position in the Department of Justice, Community Relations Service (CRS). CRS' mission is to provide tension reduction and conflict resolution services to diverse stakeholders to both resolve and prevent community-level disputes. CRS provides facilitated dialogue, mediation, training, and consultation to assist these communities to come together, develop solutions to the conflict, and enhance their capacity to independently prevent and resolve future conflict.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is being advertised under delegated examining procedures and is open to all U.S. Citizens. Preference for eligible veterans will be applied. *This is an open-continuous announcement, applicants will be reviewed and those qualified will be referred to the hiring manager every two weeks until closing of announcement.

Duties

This job allows telework in accordance with agency policy. The selected applicant will report to their assigned CRS worksite when not teleworking, attending local meetings/events, or on travel. As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. As a Conciliation Specialist, you will provide facilitation, mediation, and conciliation services for communities facing conflicts and tensions arising from jurisdictional categories pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Fair Housing Act of 1968; the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996; the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007; and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. More specifically:

  1. You will provide complex facilitation, mediation, and conciliation services for communities facing conflicts and tensions pursuant to the CRS jurisdictional statues listed above.
  2. You will complete conflict assessments and develop action plans in order to determine CRS jurisdiction, identify key stakeholders and issues, and to determine appropriateness of CRS services.
  3. You will provide training and consultation services to public officials and community representatives and provide them with the skills and mechanisms necessary to prevent and resolve future tensions.
  4. You will lead regional projects or initiatives, as assigned by leadership, to improve CRS's ability to deliver services, and ability to anticipate and prevent conflict in jurisdictional communities.
  5. You will develop and implement comprehensive outreach plans for each state/location assigned to you that target all jurisdictional communities.
  6. You will serve as a mentor to staff by modeling professional behavior, providing advice regarding mediation, facilitation, conflict resolution practices and procedures, and identifying areas needed for improvement.
  7. You will speak at various formal and informal briefings, workshops, and events to provide information on conflict resolution activities and hate crime prevention.
  8. You will perform other duties as assigned in accordance and within scope of the position description.
The duties listed above are generally written for one grade level. If the position is advertised at multiple grades, the duties will be adjusted in difficulty, complexity, and level of supervision, for higher or lower grades, as appropriate. Organizations may also add other duties as assigned' once you are hired, based on what is included and allowed by the position description.

Requirements

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 or trial period.
  • 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.
  • Additional selections may be made from this announcement, at any time, if openings occur in other offices serviced by Justice Management Division, HR Operations.
  • Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Conciliation Specialist, (GS-0101-11/12/13), you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below AND possess the required specialized experience specific to the series and grade you are applying to.

Basic Requirement:
Degree: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university that included a major field of study in conflict/dispute resolution or a foundational discipline (such as behavioral or social science, education, or the humanities). (You must submit a copy of your transcripts to prove completion of four full years of course study.)

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of conflict/dispute resolution or a foundational discipline equivalent to a major in the field (such as behavioral or social science, education, or the humanities), or otherwise substantial enough to provide a foundation for success after receiving specialized CRS conciliator training. (You must provide a copy of your transcripts)

OR

Experience: Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrate that the applicant has acquired knowledge of conflict/dispute resolution or a foundational discipline equivalent to a major in the field (such as behavioral or social science, education, or the humanities), or substantial enough to provide a foundation for success after receiving specialized CRS conciliator training. (This must be demonstrated in your resume.)

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

For the GS-11:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service AND demonstrate substantial community connections in conciliation, conflict-resolution, and other specific community building experiences, in the location where you are applying.

In addition, specialized experience is defined as:
  1. Evaluating conflicts or the potential for conflicts within communities based on civil rights-related tensions; AND
  2. Assisting with facilitation and mediation services to groups with civil rights-related tension. (Examples include conflicts or disputes related to police-community relations; tensions or hate/bias incidents (real or perceived) related to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability status; or civil rights tensions in educational environments.)

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

For the GS-12:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. To qualify at the GS-12 grade, your resume must show substantial demonstrated community connections in conciliation, conflict-resolution, and other specific community building experiences, in the location where you are applying; AND at least two of the following substantive professional experiences:
  1. Evaluating conflicts or the potential for conflicts within communities based on civil rights-related tensions.
  2. Providing facilitated dialogue, trainings, mediation, or consultation services for community groups experiencing civil rights-related conflicts or tensions. (Examples include conflicts or disputes related to police-community relations; tensions or hate/bias incidents (real or perceived) related to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability status; or civil rights tensions in educational environments.)
  3. Developing positive working relationships with governmental and non-governmental officials. (Examples include law enforcement officials, community leaders, civil rights organizations, faith-based groups, educational institutions, and/or other community groups.)

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-12 grade level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

For the GS-13:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. To qualify at the GS-13 grade, your resume must show substantial demonstrated community connections in conciliation, conflict-resolution, and other specific community building experiences, in the location where you are applying; AND at least two of the following substantive professional experiences:
  1. Leading trainings, mediation, or consultation services for community groups experiencing civil rights-related conflicts or tensions. (Examples include conflicts or disputes related to police-community relations; tensions or hate/bias incidents (real or perceived) related to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability status; or civil rights tensions in educational environments.)
  2. Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with governmental and non-governmental officials. (Examples include law enforcement officials, community leaders, civil rights organizations, faith-based groups, educational institutions, and/or other community groups.)
  3. Conducting and drafting conflict assessments of communities based on civil rights-related tensions and developing recommended agency actions and strategies.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-13 grade level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2024. Your resume must support your responses to the questionnaire and qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.


You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/31/2024.

Your resume must support your responses to the questionnaire and 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.

Education

Positive Education Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/social-science-series-0101/

  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university that included a major field of study in conflict/dispute resolution or a foundational discipline (such as behavioral or social science, education, or the humanities) (You must provide a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
  • Combination of Education and Experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of conflict/dispute resolution or a foundational discipline equivalent to a major in the field (or a foundational discipline such as behavioral or social science, education, or the humanities), or otherwise substantial enough to provide a foundation for success after receiving specialized CRS conciliator training. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
  • Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of conflict/dispute resolution or a foundational discipline equivalent to a major in the field (or a foundational discipline such as behavioral or social science, education, or the humanities), or substantial enough to provide a foundation for success after receiving specialized CRS conciliator training. (This must be demonstrated in your resume.)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below: Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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 more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation.

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

  1. CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS (CTAP or ICTAP): For more information visit: USAJOBS Career Transition Programs
  2. VETERANS AND MILITARY SPOUSES: Please see USAJOBS Veterans Preference for more details.
  3. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Our policy can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
  4. DOJ EEO STATEMENT: The U.S. Department of Justice fosters an inclusive and diverse workforce, find our EEO statement online at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1394116/download
  5. SELECTIVE SERVICE: 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.

Benefits

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.

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.

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 Occupational 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. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

When addressing the specialized experience statement, applicants must present evidence of the experience in their resume. If the specialized experience statement is repeated, in the applicant's resume, Human Resources will deem the applicant as ineligible.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and other characteristics):

  • Community/Cultural Awareness
  • Conflict Assessment
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Program Delivery


Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
  1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
  2. Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
  3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

Required Documents

Documentation requirements may vary from applicant to applicant based on your eligibility claims.
For example, Veteran documents would be required only from applicants claiming Veteran's Preference. It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of document descriptions below, to see which documents are required for your application.

ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a detailed resume containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

  1. Contact Information: Name, address, phone number, and email,
  2. Official position title,
  3. Employer name and contact information,
  4. Start and end dates (including month and year),
  5. A detailed list of duties & accomplishments,
  6. Your grade/step achieved, and
  7. The number of hours worked per week (or indicate full-time).
If you're unsure about what to include in your resume, please review the USAJOBS Resume Writing Tutorial on YouTube. You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder, as this will ensure you're including everything that is required.

If you are claiming a Veterans Preference eligibility:
  1. When claiming a Veteran's Preference, you must submit your last DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) form, specifically the Member #4 Copy, indicating dates and character of service and discharge type.
  2. If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more, you will need to additionally submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating.
  3. If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, and/or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. See Veteran Family Preference for more information.
  4. For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.
If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP:
  1. You must submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency.
  2. If you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force.
  3. See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.
If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:
  1. You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
  2. Your transcript must come from a nationally-accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
  3. If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education.
  4. Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection, these may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
More Info:
USAJOBS - What documents might I need to provide?
Application Manager Help - Documents

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/31/2024 to receive consideration.

Please note that if the vacancy has an application limit, it will be listed at the top of the announcement by USAJOBS, and the closing date may be sooner than listed here.

If you would like to preview the assessment questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12568757

  1. Click "Apply Online" to get started.
  2. If you're not logged in to your USAJOBS account, you will need to login. If you don't have an account, please create one.
  3. You will be prompted to select one of your stored (or uploaded) resumes, and any supporting documents you have uploaded to USAJOBS. If you have not uploaded these documents, you can do so later before submitting your application.
  4. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, you will be asked to submit your demographic information (if you have provided this in your profile). Submission is optional and anonymous.
  5. You'll be asked to confirm your choices and certify the accuracy of your information before you're able to continue to the Application Manager system. Until you see the blue border and DOJ logo, you are still on USAJOBS. You'll see a folder animation just before you leave USAJOBS.
  6. Once you reach DOJ's Application Manager system, you'll be asked to verify the information you transmitted from USAJOBS. You will then respond to the application assessment questionnaires and indicate your eligibility options.
  7. After responding to the questionnaires, you will have the opportunity to attach the documents you brought over from USAJOBS *OR* upload documents directly from your computer or device.
  8. If you opt to upload a document directly, click the "Upload" button and select the document on your device, then wait for the upload to finish. Repeat as needed. Documents must be less than 3 MB each and should be in a compatible file format.
  9. Once all your documents are uploaded, you must assign the uploads to the appropriate document category. You may attach more than one document to each category. Click the drop-down menu for a document category, and select one of the available options in the menu. The document will be listed under this category. You can click the drop-down again to add other documents, as needed. You can have up to 15 document assignments.
  10. Once you've uploaded and assigned all your documents to an appropriate document type, you can proceed to the final verification step, and click Submit.
  11. If you have correctly submitted your application, you will receive an automated e-mail notification within 30-60 minutes. Be sure to review the announcement fully to make sure that your application contains everything that is required.
If you need help with the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help Site (for everything on the USAJOBS-side), or the Application Manager Help Site (for everything on the DOJ-side). Regrettably, the Department of Justice cannot assist you with USAJOBS account issues. If you contact us for assistance and the problem is related to your USAJOBS account, we will have to direct you to USAJOBS to remedy the issue.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you are unable to apply online due to a disability or overseas deployment, you must request an alternative application, which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Joel Schielie at joel.schielie@usdoj.gov or 202-702-5700 to discuss your situation. Accommodations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Indicate that you're asking for a reasonable accommodation in your e-mail subject so the HR Specialist knows where to direct you.

Agency contact information

Joel Schielie
Address
Community Relations Service
2 Constitution Square
145 N Street NE
Room 9W.300
Washington, DC 20530
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list. Click here to learn more about checking your application status, or see what each application status means.

We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement. Delays do sometimes occur for reasons beyond our control. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if openings in other offices occur within 90 days, candidates who are referred to the hiring office, may be referred to other hiring offices in this scenario.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


© 2006-2024, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements