The USAO  has an opening.  It is a part-time (20-30 hrs. week) contractual position for a community outreach specialist.  Attached is a copy of the position description.  The salary is negotiable, but will probably be in the GS-12 range- $35 – $45/hr.  Please share with anyone you think might be interested. They can send their resume directly to Steve Hess.

Community Outreach Specialist

GS-301-12

Part-Time Contractual Position

Introduction

Serves as the Community Outreach Specialist, District of Maryland with overall responsibility for identifying specific communities and community groups interested in forming partnerships with local and federal authorities to reduce crime and the fear of crime.  Develops strategies for reaching and influencing targeted community groups; identifies and assists in the procurement of resources to assist and complement local crime reduction efforts; and, develops and maintains federal, state, local, and national contacts to provide technical assistance to communities.

Major Duties

Analyzes community needs, develops communications strategies, and provides direct support to

community and government leaders designed to reduce crime and maximize effective criminal justice activities with the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO), consistent with DOJ priorities and programs. Specifically:

Identifies communities and community structures and governmental entities necessary to

build effective crime reduction coalitions.  Assists in the identification of community

needs, resources, and problems, and helps citizens and community officials with decision making regarding crime and crime reduction efforts.

Identifies, with the assistance of community leaders, significant issues, objectives and goals to address and reduce crime in the neighborhoods and communities. Establishes, maintains, and seeks to improve existing community coalitions.

Establishes working relationships with public officials, community and civic organizations and State and local Human Relations Commissions in order to keep apprised of all tension and crisis situations and obtain a cross-sectional assessment of any such situations.  Provides assistance in the analysis of the relative seriousness of each tension or crisis situation and recommends appropriate responses.

Works with individuals and groups to develop strategies and measures to encourage and promote community involvement and broad-spectrum governmental support in programs that address crime prevention ×related to gang and violent crime issues.

Utilizes the services, programs, and activities of many different and diverse organizations to develop coalitions with special emphasis on proactive involvement, teamwork, commitment, awareness and sensitivity of community and public safety issues and problems.

Represents the U.S. Attorney on boards, committees and working groups concerned with

community involvement to reduce crime and violence.  Including, but not limited to, Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Safe Childhood, Human Trafficking and Homeland Security.

Provides issue analysis, recommendations, and advice to the U.S. Attorney on community relations matters. Ensures regular and effective functions of the District-level community relations program that will promote overall litigative effectiveness. Assignments in this arena include activities such as the following:

Advises District personnel and other federal agencies on the organization, operation,

responsibilities and strengths of community outreach organizations involved in preventing crime, gang activity, violence and drug abuse.

Establishes effective and close working relationships with community organizations and

outside agencies and assesses their needs, priorities and capabilities in addressing crime, with special attention to violent crime. Works with the Law Enforcement Coordinator and Intelligence Specialist to provide necessary liaison with the law enforcement and homeland security communities.

Writes and oversees the publication of regular and one-time informational material for

community officials, the public, and other criminal justice audiences. Disseminates information to state and local government entities, community groups, and the public on the U.S. Attorney’s Office programs and activities.

Reviews literature on community-based criminal justice issues and analyzes changes in

legislation, case law, court rules, Department of Justice (DOJ) policies and other issues of

direct relevance to community-based criminal justice programs. Ensures changes that

affect the program’s overall effectiveness are brought to the attention of appropriate

audiences in a timely and effective manner.

Facilitates development and implementation of programs and plans by identifying and publicizing resources that will advance community efforts and help achieve crime reductions and the fear of crime in communities. Provides information to community organizations and leaders on DOJ and other federal grants and funding. Researches the technical aspects of available programs and provides technical assistance and training on the qualification and application procedures.  Coordinates and advises on how to obtain state or local resources for the delivery of these activities.

Conducts and/or organizes workshops, seminars and meetings and maintains regular contact with community service organizations, other federal agencies, local and state government entities and schools. Assists in the development and implementation of training opportunities relevant to USAO objectives and in coordination with the Law Enforcement Coordinator and Intelligence Specialist.

Prepares work plans and periodic reports on the status of programs and activities taken to

enhance community relationships and partnerships in areas of crime and crime reduction.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required by the Position

Knowledge of a wide range communication principles, practices, techniques and methods in order to analyze community crime prevention needs and conduct workshops and training seminars.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to develop and disseminate informational

materials, express the U.S. Attorney’s position, and gather community support.

Knowledge and skill sufficient to conduct workshops, seminars and meetings with community

officials; federal, state and local government officials; and, members of the general public.

General knowledge of law enforcement operations and criminal laws and comprehensive

knowledge of crime prevention programs, services and activities to assist communities in

achieving crime prevention objectives and goals.

Ability to meet and deal with persons of varied levels and backgrounds and skill in negotiating and coordinating the work of federal, state and local groups and agencies in order to build effective community crime prevention coalitions.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor makes assignments in terms of broadly stated objectives and goals. The nature of

work precludes intensive or immediate supervision. The incumbent collaborates with the Law Enforcement Coordinator, U.S. Attorney, and community leaders and officials in selecting methodologies and approaches to crime, crime prevention and needs assessments. The incumbent has responsibility for planning, designing and executing programs and services to assist communities in achieving their common goals and objectives. Work results are accepted as technically authoritative and are reviewed only to determine achievement of community relations objectives, policy implications, and compatibility with other crime prevention initiatives of the Department, the U.S. Attorney, and other federal agencies and for adherence to policy, adequacy, of conclusions and results achieved.  The incumbent is assigned to the LECC/VW Unit and is immediately supervised by the LECC/Victim-Witness Manager.

Guidelines

Guidelines include policies, procedures, rules and regulations of DOJ and other organizations,

both state and local, which are used in the delivery of community relations programs and

activities. Incumbent must be able to use judgment in applying regulations and guidelines to

evaluate facts, develop well-documented background materials, work plans, and generate

meaningful reports in the assessment and reporting and planning of community relations

initiatives and programs.

Complexity

The work involves the application of a variety of advanced communications approaches to

administer and effect community relations programs that must reach audiences with various points of view, levels of understanding, and information needs. Assignments involve the identification of relationships and interrelationships of community programs and their impact on communities and the public.

The decisions regarding what must be done include major areas of uncertainty. The incumbent

must define issues and identify applicable precedents, laws and/or policies to follow and apply.

Difficulty is encountered in identifying, analyzing and quantifying conflicting information,

appropriate DOJ regulations and state and local guidelines used to administer and implement

community programs and activities. The work requires many decisions regarding the planning,

implementation and administration of complex rules and regulations, identification of program

trends, costs, problems and needs, and the refinement of work plans, methods and techniques for

a wide range of programs and groups.

Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to plan and facilitate critical community programs and services that

are vital to the objectives and goals of the Department and the Office of the U.S. Attorney. The

work impacts on racial, religious, ethnic, civic and private groups, businesses, governments and

communities in the District.

Personal Contacts

Personal Contacts are with persons inside and outside the agency such as law enforcement

personnel, attorneys, community leaders, crime victims, and the general public. Contacts include

local, state and federal agency officials, civic leaders, officers of professional organizations and

special interest groups.  The nature of the contacts vary depend on the subject matter, program

( policy, regulation, etc., and is determined through the course of communication.

Training Specialist Position

This position is primarily responsible for developing, planning and execution of training conferences and special events for our criminal justice partners.  Major duties and responsibilities include  developing curriculum,  presenting information, research, researching criminal justice topics, locating and securing the services of subject matter experts, This position also includes performing the administarive duties associated with events to include notifing appropriate participants and agencies,  maintaining participant registration information, coordinating event logistics with facility personnel, creating powerpoints and reproducing training handout material and identifying training needs.

Strong organizational, administrative, interpersonal and written and oral communication skills are essential requirements for this position.   Candidates should possess some proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access).  Advanced knowledge of these programs as well as data base applications and development are strongly desired.   Candidates must project a positive and professional demeanor since they  will be representing the executive office of the the Governor of Maryland.  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or related work experience involving the criminal justice system, project management or events planning is preferred.  However, candidates with otherwise strong qualifications will be considered.

This is a contractual position with an annual salary of $45,000 with no benefits.

Contact astarr@goccp.state.md.us for additional information   Deadline for submission is cob February 1, 2013.

Bill Welsh – Training Specialist

Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention

300 East Joppa Rd. Suite 1105

Baltimore, MD 21286 – 3016

410 – 821 – 2837 (Desk)

443 – 895 – 2152 (Cell)

bwelsh@goccp.state.md.us

Visit the GOCCP Training Website at     http://www.goccp.maryland.gov/training

Locate or list public safety training events, facilities and providers.