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 for Victim Advocate (SHARP):
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. 1
-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 advocacy services to victims or survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment; conducting assessments which clients to evaluate needs and risks; recognizing the need for intervention and referring to appropriate services; maintaining partnerships in the community and conducting training/ seminars on sexual assault/sexual harassment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/ level position in the federal service (GS-07).
-OR-
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 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 first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. NOTE: Transcripts are required at the time of application.
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
- Incident Management
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills