Federal Position Descriptions
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Director of the Office of Violence Against Women

Director of the Office of Violence Against Women, Department of Justice
Responsibility
Management Scope

OVW’s budget for fiscal 2016 was $736 million.3

Primary Responsibilities
  • Provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence against women and administering justice for and strengthening service to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking
  • Serves as the liaison between the Department of Justice and federal, state, tribal and international governments on matters involving violence against women
  • Develops the department’s legal and policy positions regarding the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act
  • Oversees the administration of financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking
  • Oversees the funding provided to local, state and tribal governments; courts; nonprofit organizations; community-based organizations; secondary schools; institutions of higher education; and states and tribal coalitions that:
    • Work toward developing more effective responses to violence against women through activities that include direct services, crisis intervention, transitional housing, legal assistance to victims, court improvement, and training for law enforcement and courts
    • Work with specific populations such as elder victims, or persons with disabilities, college students, teens, and culturally and linguistically specific populations
  • Funds special initiatives in response to areas of special need, which dedicate resources to develop enhancements in areas requiring particular attention or in communities facing particularly acute challenges and enable OVW to explore innovations in the violence against women field and share knowledge that can be replicated nationwide4
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Background in criminal justice or the provision of social services to domestic violence victims, or experience as a judicial officer dealing with criminal justice matters or domestic violence issues (helpful)

Competencies

• Strong political skills to deal with state and local officials and members of Congress
• Beyond reproach ethically, given the role the director plays in handling funds
• Ability to work with the media for the role of consciousness-raising

Past Appointments
  • Susan B. Carbon (2010 to 2012): Family Division Judge, Grafton County Family Division; District Court Judge, New Hampshire5
  • Cynthia Dyer (2007 to 2009): Domestic and Sexual Violence Prosecutor; Member, Public Policy Committee, Texas Council on Family Violence6
  • Diane M. Stuart (2003 to 2006): Member and Spokesperson, National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women; Coordinator, Governor’s Cabinet Council on Domestic Violence, State of Utah; Victim Advocate Specialist, State of Utah7
AGENCY

Department of Justice

Mission: To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law, ensure public safety against foreign and domestic threats, provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans

COMPENSATION

Level V $145,700 (5 U.S.C. § 5316)1

REPORTS TO

Associate Attorney General2

SENATE COMMITTEE

Judiciary

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  2. https://www.justice.gov/agencies/chart
  3. Leadership Directories
  4. OPM
  5. https://ballotpedia.org/Susan_B._Carbon
  6. https://www.vitalvoices.org/about-us/staff
  7. https://votesmart.org/public-statement/12292/utahs-diane-stuart-reported-out-of-judiciary-committee#.WJzNGfkrKUk
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