Crime Victim Compensation Specialist (Criminal Justice System Specialist 1)

THE POSITION

Do you have a strong interest in helping others? The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) is looking for a detail-oriented individual in our Office of Victims' Services. As a Criminal Justice System Specialist 1, you will serve as a claims specialist interacting with victims to deliver financial reimbursement and other compensation related services as provided by law, and consistent with victim services standards and procedures.

Join the PCCD in their mission to enhance the quality, coordination, and planning within the criminal and juvenile justice systems to facilitate the delivery of services to victims of crime and to increase the safety of our communities. If this opportunity aligns with your skills and interests, we encourage you to submit your application today!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Crime Victim Compensation Specialist (Criminal Justice Systems Specialist 1), you will provide financial reimbursement, guidance, and other compensation related services to victims of crime, their families, significant others, and other claimants. You will be responsible for the claim investigation, determination, disposition, and reimbursement preparation for victims and claimants. In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop and provide on-site technical assistance to victim service programs throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania related to the victim's compensation services provided by those programs.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment

• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.

• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to (4) days a week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.

• Free on-street parking available.

• Travel on short notice, both in and out of state, may be required in this position.

• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $49,839.00 (before taxes).

• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the commonwealth's Criminal Justice System Specialist Trainee program; or

• One year of professional experience in criminal or juvenile justice, law enforcement, or victim services, and a bachelor's degree in the social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field; or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

• You must provide complete and accurate information or:

• your score may be lower than deserved.

• you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

01

Have you successfully completed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Criminal Justice System Specialist Trainee program?

• Yes

• No

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

03

Do you possess one year or more of full-time professional experience in criminal or juvenile justice, law enforcement, or victim services?

• Yes

• No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

05

How much graduate coursework have you completed in the social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

• 30 credits or more

• 15 but less than 30 credits

• Less than 15 credits

• None

06

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

• Yes

07

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND DISPOSITION

Determine eligibility and disposition for victim/claimant reimbursements. Gather and analyze claimant information to determine if it meets the requirements of the Crime Victim's Act, the rules and regulations governing the program, and the program processing guidelines.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience gathering and analyzing claimant information related to the Crime Victim's Act, AND I have determined eligibility and disposition for victim/claimant reimbursements.
• B. I have experience gathering and analyzing claimant information related to the Crime Victim's Act. Someone else determined eligibility and disposition for victim/claimant reimbursements.
• C. I have experience gathering and analyzing claimant information related to the requirements of a program other than the Crime Victim's Act.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to research methodology or criminal justice.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

08

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• The actual duties you performed related to determining program eligibility.

• The actual duties you performed related to gathering and analyzing claimant information.

• Your level of responsibility.

09

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

• College/University

• Course Title

• Credits/Clock Hours

10

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - REVIEW FOR ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS

Review victim compensation claims for accuracy and completeness by obtaining and reviewing documents such as police reports, tax records, employment records, medical records, etc. Process claims for payment by calculating loss of earnings, loss of support, medical expenses, etc.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

• A/ I have experience reviewing victim compensation claims for accuracy and completeness AND processing claims for payment.
• B. I have experience reviewing victim compensation claims for accuracy and completeness OR processing claims for payment.
• C. I have experience reviewing or processing claims in areas other than victim compensation.
• D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.

11

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• The actual duties you performed related to reviewing and processing claims, including the types of claims.

• Your level of responsibility.

12

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - EVALUATE NEEDS

Evaluate victims' needs and provide referrals to applicable state and local social services programs. Initiate follow-up contact with victims to assess services provided.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• A. I have experience evaluating victims' needs, providing referrals to various social services programs, AND contacting victims to assess services provided.
• B. I have experience evaluating victims' needs. Someone else provided referrals to social services programs and assessed services provided.
• C. I have experience providing referrals to various social services programs OR contacting victims to assess services provided.
• D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to social work, victimology, or victim services.
• E. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

13

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

• The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.

• Your experience evaluating victim needs.

• Your experience providing referrals and follow-up contact to assess services provided.

• Your specific duties and responsibilities.

14

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

• College/University/Training Source

• Course Title

• Credits/Clock Hours

Required Question

Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov