SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA)

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience.

If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Victim Advocacy Emotional Intelligence

Documents you must provide

• To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: 1.
• Your resume showing: Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
• Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job.
• Federal jobs should include series and grade.
• Education, certifications or licensures.
• Other supporting documents: Transcripts to support educational claims.
• Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible must submit the following documentation: - Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-3) - Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility - Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.
• Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement must submit the following documentation: - Military Reserve and Technician Disability PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-2) - Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility - Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.
• Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Employees must submit the following documentation: -DoD Retained Grade Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-1) - SF-50 effecting the placement in retained grade status - Copy of the notification letter the employee received (RIF or classification downgrade) Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, Military Spouse Preference must submit the following documentation: - DoD Military Spouse Preference Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-4) - Sponsor's PCS Orders - Proof of Military member's current active duty status - Marriage Certificate If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation.
• Failure to do so WILL result in the loss of veteran's preference. - 10-Point Veterans' Preference: You MUST submit a signed SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof as required by the SF-15. - 5-Point Veterans' Preference: You MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 which includes Character of Service (usually Member-4 copy).
• If you are currently active duty, you may submit written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
• The certification should also include when your terminal leave will begin, your rank and dates of active duty service. ***

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

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.