Job opening: Victim Advocate
Salary: $82 764 - 93 798 per year
Published at: Oct 29 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
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.
Duties
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
- You must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent Unit
- Must have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer
- Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment
- Must be a US Citizen
- Must have a valid state Driver's License as occasional travel is required in the course of normal duties of the position
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.
Contacts
- Address NSA Washington
47402 Buse Rd
Bldg 467
Patuxent River, MD 20670
US
- Name: NDW NAF HR
- Email: ndwnafhr@us.navy.mil
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