SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA)

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA), Position Description Number T5920000 and is part of the MD JFHQ, National Guard.

This position is eligible to be filled using the National Guard Accelerated Hiring Authority.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

This position performs the following duties:

Perform essential victim service, advocacy, and support duties; provide a non-clinical response that is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented, and without prejudice to adult victims of sexual assault. Demonstrate understanding of trauma related to sexual violence and related complexities. This work involves Privacy Act and Controlled Unclassified Information and is therefore highly sensitive in nature.

Apply basic strategies for skilled communication, including developing rapport and actively listening, to provide initial victim advocacy services and crisis intervention support for adult victims of sexual assault and comply with mandated timeframes for responding to requests and completing required documents within those timeframes. Conduct mandated initial risk screening; non-clinical safety assessment and planning; and coordinate medical, legal, and civilian and military law enforcement resources to address immediate risk, safety, and supportive service needs in accordance with applicable policy, prioritizing confidentiality and informed consent. Coordinate which cases can be managed independently with the SARC, employing judgement and problem-solving skills to identify a victim's specific needs and service delivery.

Accept official reports of sexual assault by assisting the victim in completing the Defense Department (DD) Form 2910 and other official Department of Defense (DoD) forms as applicable, taking sensitive care of handling personally identifiable information when it is disclosed, as well as covered communications. Ensure to communicate with the victim an understanding of the SAPR VA role in the reporting process, subsequent processes associated with their election to file a report in accordance with DoD and Service level policies and regulations and provide tailored referrals and resources as applicable. Assist the victim in prioritizing actions and identifying short and long-term options to support needs and recovery.

Demonstrate expertise in offering comprehensive guidance to victims on reporting options (Restricted and Unrestricted), to include options for those not ready to report, explaining exceptions and limitations for each, and ensuring understanding of the eligibility criteria for Special Victims' Counsel (SVC). Uphold the rights and confidentiality preferences of victims consistently throughout the reporting process. Support victims when contacting appropriate offices and facilitate warm hand-offs as requested. Ensure victims of sexual assault receive information and support during administrative, medical, investigative, and legal procedures to support victim self-determination and informed decision making.

Collaborate and consult with other SAPR personnel in the state to ensure efficient service delivery, manage caseloads, and meet reporting requirements. Demonstrate proactive awareness of vicarious trauma and support efforts to address and build individual and organizational resilience.

Facilitate the planning, scheduling, and delivery of SAPR training for diverse stakeholders and local populations, covering SAPR policies, procedures, reporting options, and other pertinent topics delegated by the Supervisory Principal SARC in compliance with DoD and Service policy. Locate and reserve training sites for SAPR annual training and briefs, to include the coordination of audio-visual support and equipment and that necessary training materials are present. Record training attendance, disseminate, collect, and support analysis of course evaluations, coordinate guest speakers, and support marketing and communication efforts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

Applicants who meet one of the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) categories below are eligible to apply with this preference . (See Required Documents section)

• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees
• Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference (MSP)

Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a trial period. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

Work may require access to classified information. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance within one year of appointment.

Additional Requirements:

1. Within 60 days of appointment to a Position of Trust and Moderate Risk; the employee must have a favorable completion and award of a Tier 3 background investigation and continuously maintain as directed by DoD and NGB to conduct duties and responsibilities as a SAPR Professional. In accordance with governing regulations, additional checks will be performed on a recurring basis. Incumbents in these positions are required to self-report civilian arrests, the filing of criminal charges, and/or convictions of any criminal offense to their supervisors and security office.

2. Within six (6) months of appointment, must graduate from required SAPR training courses and be awarded the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certificate. An active D-SAACP certification must be maintained for this position.

3. Incumbent must maintain an active D-SAACP certification in accordance with (IAW) Section 584 of Public Law 112-81 and DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6495.03 as a condition of employment. In the event that D-SAACP certification expires, is suspended or is revoked, the individual is not authorized to serve in any SAPR position or perform SAPR duties until D-SAACP certification is reinstated. Failure to maintain certification may result in disciplinary and/or adverse action up to removal from federal service.

Requirements continued in the "Qualifications" section of the announcement.

Qualifications

Individual Occupational Requirements:

Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences.

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 that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences.

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.

Specialized Experience: One year specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Experience, education or training analyzing problems, identifying significant factors, gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions; preparing reports, plans, policies and various correspondence; evaluating objectives and develop plans to facilitate the availability and effective utilization of various social science resources. Must have knowledge of the organization and its mission and utilized the organizational staff procedures. Experience applying analytical and evaluative techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of social science program operations carried out by administrative or professional personnel, or substantive administrative support functions.

Applicants will be graded based on their answers to the assessment questionnaire and their supporting documentation. If supporting documentation does not support the answers to the questionnaire, applicants' scores may be modified as appropriate.

Applicants will be graded as follows:

90-100 Points: Highly Qualified

80-89 Points: Well Qualified

70-79 Points: Qualified

After adjudicating Veterans Preference, applicants will be referred to the hiring manager in the following order:

1. Highly Qualified

2. Well Qualified

3. Qualified

Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience and/or training must show possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position.

Requirements (Continued)

4. Facilitate the planning, scheduling, and delivery of SAPR training for diverse stakeholders and local populations, covering SAPR policies, procedures, reporting options, and other pertinent topics delegated by the Supervisory Principal SARC in compliance with DoD and Service policy. Locate and reserve training sites for SAPR annual training and briefs, to include the coordination of audio-visual support and equipment and that necessary training materials are present. Record training attendance, disseminate, collect, and support analysis of course evaluations, coordinate guest speakers, and support marketing and communication efforts.

5. Establish and maintain connections with internal and external stakeholders, including law enforcement (to include the Special Victim Investigation and Prosecution), legal professionals (to include Judge Advocates and SVCs), healthcare providers, Chaplains, Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce members, leaders, and community organizations, fostering collaboration, open communication, and a cohesive approach in sexual assault cases to support SAPR program initiatives and case management.?

6. Incumbent must be able to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, and holidays, on an on-call or rotational basis. The on-call or rotational status requires that SAPR VA work hours could vary, to include a requirement to be available 24/7, to respond to calls received via the helpline, from military or civilian law enforcement or from the military treatment facility or local hospital.?

7. This position may require temporary duty (TDY) business travel up to 25% of the time.? 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. May require travel by car, in military and/or commercial aircraft, and by other means of transportation as appropriate to perform temporary duty assignments.?

8. This is an Essential Personnel position and may be subject to a maximum of 14 days of duty per year in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. Head of Agency requests to exceed 14 days in a year must be approved in advance by the National Guard, Director of Manpower and Personnel (NGB-J1).

9. This is an Essential Personnel position and may be subject to a maximum of 14 days of duty per year in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. Head of Agency requests to exceed 14 days in a year must be approved in advance by the National Guard, Director of Manpower and Personnel (NGB-J1).

Education

Applicants must have at least two years of undergraduate experience.

If you are using Education to qualify for this position, you must have a completed undergraduate or graduate degree in one of, or a combination of, the following required disciplines:

• Behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position that included at least 24 semester hours of course work in the behavioral or social sciences.

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).

• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 180 days of the closing date.
• This position MAY be eligible for recruitment or relocation incentives, pending availability of funding and management request.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does NOT convey eligibility to be converted to the Competitive Service.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.