Victim Advocate

Duties

• Provides comprehensive assistance, information, and referral to victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, offering advocacy and educational services to service members, family members, DoD civilians, and contract personnel, when authorized.
• Provides initial victim advocacy services and crisis intervention support for adult cases of sexual harassment and assault. Conducts an initial non-clinical safety assessment.
• Collaborates closely with victims to develop and adapt safety plans and needs assessments to prioritize and address potential risks and vulnerabilities, applying trauma-informed best practices and informed consent throughout.
• Collaborate with victims to assess their readiness for case closure and develop a comprehensive closure plan, inclusive of completing a final safety assessment, applying transition strategies, and providing resources for continued care.
• Accepts official reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault by assisting the victim in completing the DA or DD Form and other official DoD forms as applicable.
• Prepares and submits to the SARC the "Victim Advocate Recommendations to the Commander" package within 24 hours of all Unrestricted Reports being filed, which contains options to the victim's Commander on immediate and ongoing care.
• Develops detailed case management plans with short and long-term goals and objectives and engage in ongoing support activities tailored to the victim's needs.
• Collaborates and consults with other SHARP personnel on the installation to ensure efficient service delivery, manage caseloads, and meet reporting requirements.
• Assists in training and outreach sessions for diverse stakeholders and local populations, providing information about SHARP policies, procedures, and reporting options.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Background checks against all records as required by law, OPM, DoD, and Army policy and regulation will be conducted, prior to entering on duty in the position IAW governing regulations.
• Minimum of a Tier 3 background investigation, or equivalent, and enrollment in Continuous Vetting (CV) are required.
• State Criminal History Repository check is required for all states of residence in the past 5 years when the Tier 3 investigation has been completed and 10 years when submitting a new Tier 3 investigation.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have the ability to operate a motor vehicle should the need arise to operate a government vehicle/motor pool vehicle.
• Within six months of employment must successfully complete required Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training and obtain and maintain DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) certification.
• While waiting for training or completion of certification, the employee may be reassigned or detailed to a position that meets the employees' qualifications and skills.
• Must complete all required SHARP courses, obtain D-SAACP certification, and be placed on appointment orders prior to having any victim contact or access to victim information.
• Required to self-report civilian arrests, the filing of criminal charges, and/or convictions of any criminal offense to their supervisors.
• May be required to carry a cell phone and be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on a rotational basis, based on the needs of the organization.
• This position may require temporary duty (TDY) business travel up to 25% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education/experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is .

Specialized Experience: O ne year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, which includes: Providing immediate and long-term advocacy and support to victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault which could include conducting safety assessments, needs assessments, and/or developing tailored case management plans; coordinating medical, legal, and law enforcement resources to address immediate risks and safety concerns while prioritizing confidentiality and informed consent; advising victims on reporting options (Restricted and Unrestricted) and their rights under Military Rules of Evidence 514; maintaining accurate case documentation in systems such as the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID) and Integrated Case Reporting System (ICRS); collaborating with stakeholders (ie. law enforcement, legal professionals, healthcare providers, and community organizations) to ensure victims receive holistic support; assisting in training and outreach efforts to educate stakeholders on SHARP policies, reporting procedures, and prevention strategies; and preparing reports and recommendations to inform leadership and improve program effectiveness.

OR

Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

AND

Education and/or Experience:
Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• This is a(n) #51 - General Administration and Management Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest..