SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA)

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION WITH NO MILITARY REQUIREMENT.

This National Guard position is for a SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA), Position Description Number PDT5920000 and is part of the Mississippi National Guard.

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Duties

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As a SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA), GS-0101-11, you will provide sexual assault victim advocacy and a non-clinical response that is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, culturally competent, and recovery-oriented. This includes accepting Restricted and Unrestricted Reports of sexual assault, providing referrals, and informing victims of their options. Advocacy support includes risk screening, ongoing non-clinical safety assessment and planning, and needs assessments for adult victims of sexual assault. The SAPR VA reports to, is supervised, and evaluated by the Supervisory Principal Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC).

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Perform a series of complex assessments using trauma-informed approaches for all reports of adult sexual assault. Apply research informed practices associated with victim advocacy, social service principles, and behavioral theories to include mandatory administration of standardized risk screenings and non-clinical safety assessment(s), thoroughly addressing all presenting safety concerns through use of risk mitigation strategies and techniques, developing an individualized safety plan with each victim, and conducting ongoing needs assessments and planning to address victim safety and support needs. Demonstrate highly adaptive application of strategies and skilled advocacy practices in identifying, establishing, and modifying victim advocacy support and assistance.

6. Implement mandatory standardized risk screening protocols to address immediate risk and safety concerns and apply strategies to develop tailored interventions that address the needs of individual victims. Provide assistance to victims in securing medical treatment for physical and psychological injuries; safe shelter; protective orders; support before, during, and after trials; educational services; transportation; financial services; and any other services identified and requested by the victim.

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

1. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.

2. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.

3. Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.

4. May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.

5. The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.

6. Wear of the military uniform is prohibited while in technician status.

7. This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG

8. Required to obtain and maintain receive the DoD mandated Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Credentialing Program (D-SAACP) certification and maintain certification through meeting annual continuing education training requirements.

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.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE : The following basic qualification factors are applicable to the GS-0101-12 SARC position:

• Skilled in collecting and analyzing data effectively, efficiently, and accurately;
• Ability to clearly enunciate English without impediment of speech that would interfere or prohibit effective communication;
• Ability to write English in reports and presentation formats;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively;
• Skilled in presenting formal training presentations and briefings;
• Ability to assess body language and perceive emotional and/or distress levels; and,
• Skilled in applying procedures and directives by reading and interpreting program material.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 1-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.

If your resume does not include a narrative description of how you meet the GENERAL, SPECIALIZED experiences, and OTHER requirements, you may lose consideration for this position. Ensure that the Questionnaire is completed online in Application Manager. IF YOU COPY ANY PORTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

NOTES TO CANDIDATES:

a. Include any volunteer work experience in your resume. 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).

b. Final selection will be based upon qualifications, suitability, and available manpower resources.

c. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

d. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this announcement.

e. If this announcement results in a temporary promotion for the selectee, it may become permanent at any time without further competition dependent on funding and manpower requirements.

f. The SAPR Professional is required to obtain 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 as directed by DoD and NGB to conduct duties and responsibilities as a SAPR Professional.

g. Within 90 days of appointment as a National Guard SAPR Professional, even if currently D-SAACP certified, the newly appointed employee will be required to complete the NGB Joint Course.

h. Within 120 days of appointment, unless previously D-SAACP certified, the newly appointed SAPR Professional will be required submit the DD Form 2950, must be submitted by the next D-SAACP review board.

i. Required to obtain and maintain D-SAACP certification and maintain certification through meeting annual continuing education training requirements.

Joint/ANG/ARNG SARC/VA Position Guidance :

Conditional Disqualifiers: SAPR Professionals cannot have any automatic disqualifying conditions per DoDI 6495.03, Section 3.2a. 1-7.

Education

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims.

Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines 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.

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 (

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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