SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA)

A GS-0101-11, SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA): 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. 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. 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. Perform a series of complex assessments using trauma-informed approaches for all reports of adult sexual assault. Apply research informed practices associated with victim advocacy, social service principles, and behavioral theories to include mandatory administration of standardized risk screenings and non-clinical safety assessment(s), thoroughly addressing all presenting safety concerns through use of risk mitigation strategies and techniques, developing an individualized safety plan with each victim, and conducting ongoing needs assessments and planning to address victim safety and support needs.

Implement mandatory standardized risk screening protocols to address immediate risk and safety concerns and apply strategies to develop tailored interventions that address the needs of individual victims. Provide assistance to victims in securing medical treatment for physical and psychological injuries; safe shelter; protective orders; support before, during, and after trials; educational services; transportation; financial services; and any other services identified and requested by the victim. Inform victims of the resources available to report instances of sexual assault related retaliation, reprisal, ostracism, maltreatment, sexual harassment, or to request a transfer.

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. Assist the SARC in the management and maintenance of up-to-date case files in Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID), as applicable, ensuring compliance with legal, privacy, and organizational policies and victim advocacy professional standards within the applicable timeframes per guidance. Employ complex trauma-informed practices to provide tailored emotional support, ensuring victims feel respected, heard, and understood.

Other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements: High School Diploma or GED Degree Required: Degree: 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 provided the applicant 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 demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. (Refer to Qualification section - Specialized experience) 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. If you are selected for a vacancy that requires a specific degree and/or coursework you will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment.

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

OR

equivalent doctoral degree

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.

Your responses must be supported by your application package or you may be excluded from consideration for this position.

You may also be excluded from consideration if you indicate that you are unwilling to accept the lower grade and determination is made that you are not qualified at the higher grade. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words.

You may refer to position descriptions, as well as the general and specialized experience located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received in verbatim will not be considered. In your resume you will need to address the general and specialized experience listed above. Please use as much detail as needed, giving dates (months and years) of the experience, position title and how the experience was gained. This information is needed to determine if you are qualified for the position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics).

NOTE: You do not have to respond to the KSA's separately but your resume should contain sufficient information to demonstrate possession of the KSA's. Knowledge of the DoD and Service-specific programs and structure, along with local, state, and federal laws; and military regulations, policies, and executive orders pertaining to sexual assault victim advocacy. Comprehensive knowledge of essential support and advocacy services, liaison resources, community networks, and best practices for aiding victims of sexual assault, adhering to established procedures.

Knowledge of training and education techniques to implement and deliver sexual assault training and brief installation leadership, other SAPR VAs, first responders, and other stakeholders on the policies, practices, procedures, issues, and concerns associated with sexual assault and victim advocacy. Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with all levels of management, staff, and military personnel and their families. Demonstrated skill in employing tact and diplomacy in challenging and sensitive scenarios; fostering productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders; and establishing effective partnerships to identify, modify, and deliver victim support and assistance.

Skill in providing culturally informed services that empower marginalized individuals and adapt support strategies to align with the cultural, social, and personal contexts of each victim. Knowledge of the duties, priorities, commitments, policies, and program goals of the SAPR program sufficient to provide available and appropriate resources. Ability to define scope and parameter of the SAPR VA role to empower victims from initial response to termination of the professional relationship.

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 (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx). - Certain incentive(s) may be available pending funding and approval but are not guaranteed.. ****This is an indefinite position. If an individual employed in the excepted civil service accepts this position, he/she will receive an indefinite appointment. If a Reduction-In-Force occurs the indefinite appointee will have no reemployment rights to his/her former position or any other position.

If funding level and employee manning levels permit, incumbent may be converted to permanent technician status without further competition. ** *Condition 1: The SAPR Professional is required to obtain 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 as directed by DoD and NGB to conduct duties and responsibilities as a SAPR Professional. *Condition 2: Within 90 days of appointment as a National Guard SAPR Professional, even if currently D-SAACP certified, the newly appointed employee will be required to complete the NGB Joint Course. *Condition 3: Within 120 days of appointment, unless previously D-SAACP certified, the newly appointed SAPR Professional will be required submit the DD Form 2950, must be submitted by the next D-SAACP review board. *Condition 4: Required to obtain and maintain D-SAACP certification and maintain certification through meeting annual continuing education training requirements. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The WA National Guard is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. If you are unable to upload a document online please send the document via email to our WA HRO Distro Box.

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12929351 A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. 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/.

To apply for this position, you are required to submit a complete application package. If you fail to provide this documents/information, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and will not be considered any further.

Resumes must be in your own words. Resumes that are verbatim, from this announcement, will not be considered. A complete application package includes: Resume must NOT exceed two (2) pages, IAW Merit Hiring Plan and must include: Contact information Full Name Email Address Phone Number Relevant work history that demonstrates specialized experience for the position you are applying to Position Title Organization/Department/Unit Hours worked per week Dates (format must include Month and Year) of employment Duties performed Series and grade for federal positions, if held Resumes exceeding 2 pages will not be considered.

For more guidance please see new resume guidance. If your resume includes the below listed content, it will not be used to make an eligibility/qualification determination, and you will not be considered for this vacancy. Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Do not include encrypted and/or digitally signed documents because they become corrupted and you will not receive credit for submitting them. If you are claiming Military Spouse Preference, you MUST include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Acceptable documentation of your preference eligibility includes at a minimum: A copy of the PCS orders Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist Your marriage certificate or license (if you are not on the PCS Orders).

If you believe you are eligible for Veteran's Preference in hiring, you must claim preference and provide supporting documentation.* To determine if you qualify for Veteran's Preference in hiring, please use the following link provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.* Completed SF15, etc. (SF15 is required for 10-point preference) You will not receive 10 point preference without a completed SF15. The SF15 will indicate additional required documents, that you MUST provide with your application to receive 10 point preference.

Other support documentation (optional or required based on the vacancy announcement) Cover Letter SF-50 (latest non-award SF-50) Transcript (s) *For current National Guard/Reserve members, please document your military work experience as follows: (You may adjust the format, so that you do not exceed the two (2) page resume limit, as long as your resume clearly reflects your military employment history.) List month joined (to/from) based on your enlistment contract (DD4) or (Oath) for Officers. If you have gaps in service, list them separately. Example:04 Sep 2019 to 03 Sep 2023 Washington Air National Guard Traditional Member 20 hours per month POSITIONS TITLE MOS/AFSC Personnel Superintendent 3S091 Duties Military Orders During this period: (list multiple periods if everything else is the same: Order Type, Duties, & Purpose 04 Nov 2019 to 03 Dec 2019 40 hours per week 15 Mar 2020 to 14 May 2020 40 hours per week Type of Order: ADOS/AT/ST/AGR Order Purpose: Duties: *If there are multiple purposes on a single order (ie.

BMT then Tech Training/AIT), list specific periods. Example: Order cover 02 Sep 2020 to 12 Mar 2021: List 02 Sep 2020 to 01 Nov 2020 as BMT and 02 Nov 2020 to 12 Mar 2021 as Tech Training/AIT