This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Shortage Category and/or Critical Need Positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. About the Position: Serve as a Victim Advocate (SHARP) (SAR WF) for Army Brigades and works under the supervision of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) in the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) program, who provides guidance on program policies/objectives.

Duties

The Victim’s Advocate (VA) provides professional and comprehensive advocacy services to individuals exhibiting a wide variety of issues related to being a complainant, victim or survivor of sexual harassment or sexual assault. Conducts assessments with clients to determine required needs and evaluates safety and levels of risk. Assesses the urgency of cases and develops a plan for assistance. Conducts professional level and administrative educational and interactive training workshops/seminars to victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault, community agencies, units and leaders, identifying victim services. Ensures victims of sexual assault receive all needed guidance and emotional support during administrative, medical, investigative, and legal procedures. Accompanies victims and provides support in securing medical treatment, safe shelter, protective orders, court hearings, educational, transportation, financial services, and follow-up assistance.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Incumbent must obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Incumbent is required to self-report civilian arrests, the filing of criminal charges, and/or convictions of any criminal offense to their supervisors and security office.
• Background checks against all records as required by law, OPM, DoD, and Army policy and regulation will be conducted, prior to entering on duty in the position and, IAW governing regulations, on a recurring basis while employed in the position.
• Incumbent 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 be subject to occasional 24/7 on-call VA responsibilities.
• Must maintain an active D-SAACP certification and up-to-date commander appointment orders prior to having any victim contact or access to victim information.
• In the event that D-SAACP certification is expired, suspended, or is revoked, the individual is not authorized to serve in any SHARP position or perform SHARP duties until D-SAACP certification is reinstated.
• Must successfully complete required Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) training and obtain and maintain DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) within 6 months after start date
• Incumbent is required to complete a pre-employment physical.
• One-year probationary period may be required, unless previously completed.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• Position is Emergency Essential in support of mobilization and wartime mission.
• Employee must pass a medical examination and receive required immunizations for the overseas/deployment locations.

Qualifications

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 (Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention)(Sexual Assault Response Workforce): A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. 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. 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized experience: To qualify, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Specialized experience is defined as providing professional advocacy services to victims or survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment; conducting assessments with clients to evaluate needs and risks; recognizing the need for professional intervention and referring to appropriate services; and maintaining partnerships in the community. 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 Service, Counseling Service, or Psychosocial. 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.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Contacts

• Address SC-W6DJAA USA FORSCOM NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER DO NOT MAIL Fort Irwin, CA 92310 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk
• Email: [email protected]