Duties
THIS IS A T5 EXCEPTED SERVICE, PERMANENT POSITION
The primary purpose of the SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA) (Accelerated Hire), GS-0101-11, is to serve as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA) as the primary SAPR program victim assistance resource at the installation for all supported tenant commands in high concentration areas. The SAPR VA provides sexual assault victim advocacy and a non-clinical response that is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, culturally competent, and recovery-oriented.
- 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. 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.
- Develop and maintain ongoing working relationships with available military and civilian resources to aid with the process of providing a warm hand-off telephonically, virtually, or in-person, with the victim's consent and preference, as applicable. Referral actions must be carefully tracked to ensure that victim support services are timely and acceptable. Apply professional tact and diplomacy during interactions with internal and external officials during difficult or sensitive circumstances to establish and maintain effective working relationships. 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.
- Provide each victim tailored comprehensive referrals to on-installation and off-installation resources to include victim advocacy, legal, and medical/mental healthcare. Ensure victims have an understanding of what military and civilian resources are available, what each resource can provide for the victim, and limitations and/or exceptions to services available, and confidentiality that may apply to each resource. Inform victims of the resources available to report instances of sexual assault related retaliation, reprisal, ostracism, maltreatment, sexual harassment, or to request a transfer.
- 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. Develop detailed case management plans with short and long-term goals and objectives and engage in ongoing support activities tailored to the victim's needs. This includes but is not limited to continuous risk screenings and non-clinical safety assessments, updates to victims and sexual assault Case Management Groups (CMG) on case progress, and referrals and information for resources as needed, ensuring that victim care, safety, and support needs are met in response to a sexual assault.
The position resides within the infrastructure and support functions of the state National Guard; the incumbent is not subject to mobilization, nor is the work described part of the military mission; and the incumbent does not perform a key advisory or essential administrative role that is inherently military. In addition, the position must meet one of the following: It does not have a comparable military function; the position is required in full-time (civilian) role when the organization, or similar military position, is mobilized to perform continuing post-mobilization functions; or the position requires a skill or competency that necessitates technical expertise or professional qualifications that cannot be readily found in the military structure of the state military force.
May make additional selections within 90 days of eligible(s) issuance.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Recruitment/Relocation
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive IS NOT authorized.
PCS
Relocation Costs IS NOT authorized based on determination that Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is not in the Government best interest.
- Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
- Must maintain proper security clearance.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Security Clearance: at a minimum a National Agency Check is required prior to position assignment.
Qualifications
SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA) (Accelerated Hire), GS-0101-11: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, or equivalent pay band in other pay systems in the Federal government. This experience may also have been obtained in the private sector, but must demonstrate that it is comparable to the GS grade indicated. Specialized experience may have been demonstrated by: 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.
Your resume must have complete information: Please ensure your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.
Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date: You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 08/21/2025
Education
Degree in 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 demonstrates 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 demonstrates knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.Must Upload Transcripts
When there is a positive education or certification requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, copies of transcripts (unofficial) and/or certificates are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational/certification requirement or substitution. Failure to provide transcripts and/or certificates at the time of application will result in automatic disqualification.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
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.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. No changes to the application may be made after the close date of the announcement.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
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.
If you do not receive an email that your application has been received, make sure the application was correctly submitted.
False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.