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.

Duties

• •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.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/