Victim Advocate - Commander, Navy Installations

Summary Serve as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA) within Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), Fleet and Family Support Program (FFSP). The primary purpose of the position is to serve as the primary initial point of contact for victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment and work closely with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) to ensure comprehensive care for victims throughout the reporting process. Responsibilities Serve as a SAPR VA, facilitating care and providing non-clinical support to adult victims of a sexual assault and sexual harassment. Serve on the 24/7 SAPR watch bill, providing 24/7 support for victims' immediate needs. Inform the victim that speaking with the SAPR VA is voluntary. Assess safety concerns, inform victims of available reporting options and resources, encourage self-advocacy, assist with navigating the processes to obtain care and services needed, establish short and long-term goals for sexual assault recovery, and facilitate referrals. Assess the safety of sexual harassment complainants who wish to confer with a victim advocate. Assist victims reporting sexual harassment to address any immediate safety needs, understand their sexual assault reporting options (as applicable), and identify any behavioral health or other services that may be helpful. Assist victims of sexual harassment in their effort towards the process of recovery, through advocacy and resource information. Serve as an advocate for the expressed interests of victims with all intervening agencies to include law enforcement, medical, and legal. Explain the restricted and unrestricted reporting options available to a victim, including the exceptions and/or limitations for victims' privileges under Military Rules of Evidence 514, and their rights and responsibilities as a victim. Explain all available SAPR services to the victim and conduct a warm hand-off to the equal opportunity office for official reporting of sexual harassment. Safeguard documents in their possession and all information pertaining to victims' sexual harassment, always mindful of the victims' right to confidentiality. Conduct risk assessments of victims to determine their immediate needs and evaluate safety concerns and levels of risk. Provide crisis intervention in the aftermath of sexual assault and develop and implement an appropriate plan of action based on initial and ongoing risk assessments. Provide a wide range of essential support and advocacy services, liaison services, and care to victims of sexual harassment. Inform victims of available legal assistance/counsel and, if needed, provide a warm handoff to the appropriate military and civilian legal offices for personal legal advice and information specific to their circumstance or case, including filing civilian or military protective orders. Accompany victims to appointments, investigator interviews, and civilian and military court proceedings, as appropriate and when requested by the victim. Ensure victims of sexual harassment receive guidance and support during administrative, medical, investigative, and legal procedures and victims understand the processes involved. Assist victims in prioritizing actions and establishing short- and long-term goals related to the recovery from sexual harassment. Maintain support and follow-up contact with sexual harassment victims throughout the lifecycle of the case. Immediately notify the SARC of sexual assault incidents, providing the necessary demographic and/or incident detail for their thorough documentation in the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID) and to fulfill multiple reporting requirements outlined in policy (e.g., Notification to Command and Annual Report to Congress). Notify the SARC of sexual harassment advocacy provided to complainants for the SARC's thorough documentation of the SAPR Related Inquiry (SRI) module in DSAID. Attend sexual assault Case Management Group (CMG) meetings for victims to ensure their needs are met. Report victim's support services and response information to the SARC and consult with the SARC on an ongoing basis to ensure comprehensive care for victims throughout the reporting process. Adhere to the D-SAACP Professional Code of Ethics. Collaborate with the SARC on interfacing with military and civilian agencies to identify and promote relevant resources and appropriate support services. Establish liaisons with local victim support agencies in order to gain support and cooperation in achieving support for victims of sexual harassment and to promote the enhancement of sexual harassment services. Maintain a resource binder with current forms, information and referral resource lists. Collaborate with the SARC on developing and coordinating SAPR public awareness campaigns and local events, and on implementing primary prevention initiatives to aid in eliminating sexual assault incidents before they occur. Verify SAPR program marketing materials with 24/7 contact information is prominently displayed across the installation. Assist the installation SARC in the development and delivery of comprehensive sexual harassment training. Facilitate or assist in the planning, scheduling, and delivery of sexual harassment response training for all installation personnel, leadership, deploying personnel, and other key functional stakeholders to include annual refresher training. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Resumes must include information which demonstrates experience and knowledge, skills, and ability (KSAs) as they relate to this position. Applicants are encouraged to be clear and specific when describing their experience level and KSAs. A qualified candidate possesses the following: Must have the analytical ability and skill in interpersonal relationships. The incumbent must have knowledge of the dynamics of sexual assault and victim advocacy and care. Knowledge of the military, Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Navy (DoN), and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program is preferred. The incumbent must have the ability to understand, be sensitive to, and have empathy for victims. Ability to develop trusting helping relationships and to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The incumbent must have the ability to intervene in crisis situations, using sound professional judgment, ethical practice, and common sense. The incumbent must have the ability to work cooperatively with military and civilian medical, social service, law enforcement, and legal personnel on behalf of victims. The incumbent must be skilled in oral and written communication. The incumbent must have the demonstrated ability to provide effective trainings and briefings, as he/she might be requested to provide these services as a support to the SARC. Education Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. 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. 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 Salary is dependent on experience and/or education. Some positions have special requirements. Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required. We utilize E-Verify to confirm selectee's eligibility to work in the United States. Salary is dependent on experience and/or education. This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 60 days of issuance of selection certificate. Spouses of active duty military members of the Armed Forces may receive preference in hiring under this announcement if they are among the best qualified referred and are within reach of selection. Spouse Preference does not apply to NF 04 and NF 05 positions. Please clearly identify in your application that you are asking for spouse preference and submit a copy of current PCS orders. Failure to submit current PCS orders with application will prevent spousal preference from being granted. Acceptance or declination of a regular full or part-time non-appropriated or appropriated fund position ends your ability to claim this preference. For positions requiring travel more than twice per year, selectee may be required to obtain and maintain in good standing a Government-issued Travel Card for official government travel purposes. Executive Order 12564 requires a Federal workplace free of illegal drugs. According to the Executive Order, all Federal employees are required to remain drug free throughout their employment. Commander, Navy Installations Command is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated, and use of or intoxication by illegal drugs will result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal Service. SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: If you are a male born after December 31,1959 and at least 18 years of age, employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must register with the Selective Service System (military draft), unless you meet certain exemptions. If applicable, failure to register will prevent you from being considered for employment. To register, please visit the Selective Service web site at https://www.sss.gov/register/.