Victim Advocate

Summary

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Designated as DoD Sexual Assault Program Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

About the Position: Serves as a Victim Advocate in the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) program, providing care and supportive services to victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

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Duties

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• Serves as a Victim Advocate in the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program, providing care and supportive services to victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
• Provide immediate and long-term advocacy services, crisis intervention support, including maintaining 24/7 hotline access for adult victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault.
• Guide victims through reporting options, ensuring confidentiality, informed consent, and access to appropriate legal and medical resources.
• Maintain accurate case files and official reports in compliance with legal, privacy, and organizational standards.
• Prepare and submit recommendations to commanders addressing victim care, safety concerns, and retaliation issues.
• Coordinate medical, legal, law enforcement, and community resources to address victim safety and supportive service needs.
• Conduct safety assessments and develop tailored case management plans with short- and long-term goals and document within the case management systems.
• Plan and deliver training sessions for commanders, civilians, first responders, and community stakeholders on sexual harassment and sexual assault response.
• Conduct outreach and awareness activities, including community assessments and prevention campaigns, to promote program effectiveness.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• SHARP professionals assigned to installations with correctional facilities are required to provide victim assistance to incarcerated victims of sexual harassment and assault, which requires access to correctional facilities.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• The duties of this position require background checks to be conducted against all records as required by law, OPM, DoD, and Army policy and regulation.
• Background checks will be conducted, prior to entering on duty in the position and, IAW governing regulations, on a recurring basis while employed in the position.
• This position requires the incumbent to submit to a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) Check for all states of residence in the previous five and/or up to ten years.
• In accordance with DoDI 6493.03, this position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) within six months of employment.
• Incumbents of SHARP positions must complete all required training, obtain certification, and be placed on appointment orders prior to having any victim contact or access to victim information.
• The duties of this position may require the incumbent 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.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program, Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database, and Integrated Case Reporting System (ICRS).
• Required to self-report civilian arrests, the filing of criminal charges, and/or convictions of any criminal offense to their supervisors.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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 in this document.

Basic Requirement:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in behavioral or social science, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, such as Social Services, Counseling Services, or Psychology.

-OR-

B. Combination of Education and Experience: A 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-

C. Experience: 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.

NOTE: Transcripts are required at the time of application.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes providing professional advocacy services to victims or survivors of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment; conducting assessments with clients to evaluate needs and risks; conducting training/seminars on sexual assault/sexual harassment; and coordinating appropriate services with internal or external offices to ensure holistic victim support. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

-OR-

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Social Services, Counseling Services, or Psychology.

-OR-

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

NOTE: Transcripts are required at the time of application.

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.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• 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 Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a(n) Medical 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.
• Recruitment, relocation, and/or retention incentives are NOT being offered for this position.

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.

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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.

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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.