Summary

If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you! With a diverse and talented workforce of over 100,000 men and women, Justice leads the Nation in ensuring the protection of all Americans while preserving their constitutional freedoms. You can be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty, and the property of citizens.

This job is open to
The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

All United States Citizens and Nationals.

Duties

This position is located in Hammond, Indiana.

Hammond, Indiana is centrally located in the Northwest Indiana region. With a thriving population and minutes away from Chicago, Northwest Indiana offers low-cost, high-quality living while offering highly competitive salaries at the Chicago locality rate. The proximity of Chicago also offers its art and cultural institutions, world-class entertainment, and dining. The area boasts a variety of living options - from urban living and suburbs to small towns and rural communities. Northwest Indiana is also home to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park and the Indiana Dunes State Park - both offering trails, camping and beaches along Lake Michigan.

For more information about the area, visit www.nwiforum.org
For more information about the state of Indiana, visit www.visitindiana.com.

The office is soliciting applications for Financial Litigation Technician positions within the Civil Division of the Northern District of Indiana. If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing a variety of legal support functions to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana. Typical work assignments will include:

Receives, interprets, and enforces judgments against debtors.
Obtains and analyzes financial information on debtors.
Communicates with debtors to assure successful collection of debts.
Conducts research when necessary to locate debtors and debtor assets.
Makes recommendations regarding settlements, write-offs, and liquidations.
Processes monies received by debtors.
Reviews and reconciles computerized debt collection records.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-07 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

Incentive Pay: May be considered for superiorly qualified applicants and in accordance with 5 CFR Part 575.

Relocation Expenses: Permanent Change in Station (PCS) Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part:
Paid vacation
Sick Leave
11 paid holidays
12-weeks of Paid Parental Leave
Reasonable Accommodations
Health Insurance Benefits
Dental and Vision benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts for Healthcare and Dependent Care
Federal Retirement Pension (Federal Employees Retirement System)
Thrift Savings Plan (401k) with up to 5% employer matching
Life Insurance
Long-term care Insurance

Other Benefits: In addition to the above benefits, we also offer:
Telework
Flexible Work Schedules
Compressed Work Schedules
Student Loan Forgiveness
Performance Awards & Bonuses
Employee Assistance Programs

The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees. For more information visit OPM's site for Federal Employee Compensation Package.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

To be eligible for this position, you must meet the following requirements:

U.S. Citizenship: You must be a United States Citizen or National.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born 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. See www.sss.gov for additional information.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
Probationary Period: If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: If you are applying as a current/former federal employee, you must have served at least 52 weeks in the next lower grade level to be considered. (See Qualifications section for more information).
You must apply online and submit a complete application by the closing date of this announcement in order to be considered for this position. (See Required Documents section of this announcement)

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. (See Qualifications section of this announcement)

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the experience/education requirements for at least one of the grade levels as described below:

GS-05 Grade Level Qualification Requirements

To be eligible at the GS-5 level, you must meet at least one of the following conditions as defined below:

Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience providing routine office automation support. Examples of specialized experience may include the following: performing data entry into automated systems, maintaining files and/or records management systems, and producing a variety of written documents and/or materials utilizing office software applications ensuring proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.

• OR-

Education: Completion of at least four (4) years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.

• OR-

Combining experience and education: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this position. Successfully completed post-high school education may be used to meet the total one year of specialized experience requirement equivalent to the GS-04 grade level. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hour) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

GS-06 Grade Level Qualification Requirements

To be eligible at the GS-6 level, you must meet the following conditions as defined below:

Specialized Experience: At least one full year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience providing routine debt identification and collection support. Examples of specialized experience include: using automated systems to conduct routine research, initiate documents for debt collection actions, track debtor accounts, communicating with debtors to present options for debt payments, and producing a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications ensuring proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.

GS-07 Grade Level Qualification Requirements

To be eligible at the GS-7 level, you must meet the following conditions as defined below:

Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as serving as a technician in the processes and procedures related to asset identification and debt collection activities. Examples of specialized experience include: using common online resources to obtain and analyze routine financial information regarding debtors; reviewing and verifying debtors account status and payment transactions; entering and tracking financial data in automated systems and spreadsheets; drafting and/or preparing standardized letters, forms, and reports; preparing routine documentation required to take legal actions; and performing basic computations and approving acceptable payment amounts.

Typing Proficiency Requirement: To be qualified, you must type at least 40 words per minute based on a 5-minute sample with three or fewer errors. (A typing test may later be required.)

The complete Qualification Standards used for this position may be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees 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, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): 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 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 CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

OR

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.

A relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Veterans' Preference - If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming by checking the appropriate box in the assessment questionnaire to indicate your preference and submit the required veterans' preference documentation as specified in the, "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born 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. See www.sss.gov.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism.

Diversity Statement: 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.

Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This announcement is being advertised as "open until filled." This announcement will be closed once all available positions have been filled OR on 9/30/2024 at 1159pm EST (whichever is sooner). Applications will be reviewed after each defined cut-off date:

August 29, 2024
September 13, 2024
September 30, 2024

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. 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).

You will be rated on the following Competencies (see OPM Website for definitions):

Adaptability
Decision Making
Applies Technology to Tasks
Interpersonal Skills
Integrity/Honesty

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by the closing date of this announcement, which includes:

Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the "Apply Online" process).
Recommended: Cover Letter
Required: Your resume showing relevant experience and dates (month/year) of employment and work schedule for each (e.g., part-time XX hours per week or full-time). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. (cover letter optional)
Required, if you meet qualifications based on education: An unofficial college transcript (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Qualifications" section of this vacancy announcement.
Required, if applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation. If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming in your application and submit the appropriate documentation, as specified below.
In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member you must submit a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates: 1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); 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.
In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and all the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation. Must include a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)

3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/View Questionnaire/12515779

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online, contact USAINN HR at USAINN.HR@usdoj.gov or 219-937-5500 as soon as possible to arrange an alternative application process.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2024 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your proof of submission in the event verification is needed.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Agency contact information
USAINN HR
Phone
219-937-5500
Fax
219-852-2770
Email
USAINN.HR@usdoj.gov
Address
Northern District of Indiana
5400 Federal Plaza
Hammond, IN 46320
US

Next steps

Application Status Updates: Please visit www.usajobs.gov to view the status of your application. You will receive email updates as your application progresses through each step of the process. Please do NOT contact our office for the status of your application.

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation, to include a credit check, and drug test by urinalysis. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.