Positions

The Peer Review is an integral component of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) audit oversight function. The PREA Management Office (PMO) within the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) at the DOJ, with coordination support from the PRC, is accepting applications from experienced auditors to serve as peer reviewers.

The primary purpose of peer review is to evaluate an auditor’s interpretation and application of the PREA Standards by comparing the auditor’s findings and report discussions against the quantity and quality of the documentation and other evidence retained from the audit. This work requires reviewers willing and able to rigorously apply analytical methodology to the work of their peers, and draw informed and critical conclusions about the reliability, accuracy, and validity of that work.

Peer reviews will be assigned on a rotating basis, so the quantity of peer review instances any particular reviewer will be asked to conduct will vary depending on the number of reviewers available and the number of reviews scheduled. PRC anticipates that reviewers can expect a maximum of 1 review every few months.  

Audit Peer Reviewer Application Requirements

Applicants selected to serve as peer reviewers will be expected to:

• Commit to at least 40 hours of work on each peer review instance
• Commit to at least 8 hours of advanced training (some of which may require travel) and refresher training as necessary
• Work collaboratively in teams of two
• Engage constructively with PMO and PRC staff throughout the peer review process, and
• Produce appropriate written materials stating their findings and other relevant information as required.  

In order to be considered for peer review work, interested candidates must:

• Have conducted a minimum of three (3) formal compliance audits as lead auditor
• Be up-to-date on all reporting requirements
• Be current on all continuing education requirements
• Not be in any disciplinary status, including suspension, with the PMO

Required Experience (which must be clearly demonstrated in the resume or CV): 

• Experience conducting PREA audits (i.e., the conduct of a minimum of 3 formal PREA audits as lead auditor)
• Experience conducting peer reviews of complex written materials, or closely related experience in a supervisory role which includes detailed review and critique of the written work of others (such as investigative reports, audit reports, or inspection reports). Preferably, this experience will have been gained in a criminal justice, juvenile justice, or law enforcement setting. 
• Proven investigative experience and skills, or closely related skills, such as site inspections to determine compliance with law and regulations, performance auditing, compliance monitoring, quality assurance, or substantially similar work experience
• Experience writing, reviewing, and analyzing policy and similar types of official documentary materials, including directives, procedures, memoranda, and others)

Required Skills (which must be clearly demonstrated in the resume or CV, or in the applicant’s supporting materials): 

• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills: Applicants must demonstrate that they are comfortable thinking critically, navigating large volumes of complex information, and identifying key issues.
• Excellent communications skills: Applicants must be able to articulate their views and findings clearly and precisely verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently: Applicants must be able to work collaboratively and to develop productive working relationships quickly. Applicants must also able to work independently with minimal supervision.
   

The PRC and the PMO at DOJ have identified a need to increase the experience and number of auditors actively involved in conducting audits across the United States. The PRC, in collaboration with the PMO, require an auditor’s participation in training beyond the classroom certification training through participation in the Field Training Program (FTP). The FTP is a required condition of the certification process. Auditors are assigned to a specific FTP training audit based on geographical location and are expected to complete the full training audit experience (approximately 21 weeks which includes the pre-onsite, onsite, and post-onsite audit phases). Auditor trainees conduct training audits in teams in the field under the supervision, guidance, and mentorship of very seasoned certified auditors. This program will allow auditors with significant experience and a proven record of accomplishment to mentor auditor trainees seeking certification.

The PRC and the PMO are, therefore, seeking up to eight highly experienced DOJ-certified PREA auditors to function as Field Training Auditors (FTAs) in the late 2018-early 2019 cycle. The priority deadline to be considered for the 2018-2019 cycle is March 18, 2018.

The selected FTAs will be responsible for mentoring and supervising small groups of auditor trainees to help them gain field experience conducting facility audits. FTAs should be auditors who have demonstrated through their PREA audit performance and reports that they conduct high-quality, comprehensive audits with appropriate application of the standards and PREA audit methodology as described in the PREA Auditor Handbook.

Each training audit will require approximately 25 days of work, consisting of:

• Up to eight days of intermittent prep and follow-up with the audit team, conducted via email/telephone/teleconference;
• Four consecutive days onsite, immediately preceded by one travel day and evening team meeting, followed by one travel day with a training team meeting in the morning of the last day (six days total); and
• Up to 11 days of post onsite follow-up.
• Some FTAs will have the additional opportunity to provide up to 20 hours of follow up technical assistance to the host facility.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with the PREA standards, interpretation, and implementation.
• Demonstrated training experience.
• Supervisory and mentoring skills and/or experience.
• Must have previously conducted and documented at least two PREA compliance audits.
• Must be able to demonstrate proof of professional liability insurance.

For more information on the Field Training Program, please visit the PRC website.  

The PRC, operated via a competitively awarded cooperative agreement between Impact Justice and the DOJ, provides assistance to those responsible for state and local adult prisons and jails, juvenile facilities, community corrections, lockups, tribal organizations, and inmates and their families in their efforts to eliminate sexual abuse in confinement, and efforts related to PREA standards implementation and PREA audit corrective action. Support for correctional facilities and agencies is provided by the PRC in part via field-initiated training and technical assistance (TTA) delivered to requesting jurisdictions across the US.

The PRC utilizes subject matter expertise in a variety of fields (corrections, law enforcement, investigations, mental health, juvenile delinquency, auditing, training and technical assistance, advocacy/victim services, peer reviewers, grant reviewers, etc.) to deliver TTA on behalf of the PRC. The PRC website offers a request form and menu of TTA options available for jurisdictions.

The PRC requests applications from highly qualified individuals who seek to become contract Providers. Individuals will be selected based on their knowledge of the PREA standards, expertise with the corrections and detention fields, and their demonstrated experience interfacing with this audience through past provision of training and/or technical assistance. In-depth knowledge of the PREA standards and prior experience with delivery is required. PREA Auditor certification is not required. Individuals may be associated with an organization but the contract for services will be directly managed with the individual and not their employer.
 

Can you partner with the PRC in another way? Please use the application to let the PRC know how you can contribute to our work. Make sure to describe why you think you would be suitable for this opportunity, and how your skills and experience would best serve the PRC.