This position is a Family Advocacy Program Victim Advocate and Educator, and the primary purpose of this position is to provide family advocacy services for victims of spouse/intimate partner abuse and child abuse, community outreach, and education and training for the serviced population. Additionally, assist nonoffending parents or caregivers to victims of child abuse.
Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, or related field. A minimum of 1 year post Bachelor's experience in domestic abuse victim advocacy or 2 years of experience in victim advocacy experience Skills in crisis intervention, safety planning and procedures, and civilian and military orders of protection. Knowledge of the dynamics of spouse/intimate partner violence, child abuse, and victim advocacy and care. Knowledge of child advocacy to include working with the non-offending parent of an abused child. Knowledge of the military, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Navy (DON) and FAP program is preferred. Intensive practical knowledge of community resources and services, crisis intervention, and how individuals in distress may quickly obtain needed assistance. Ability to present sensitive, at times controversial, information to groups of people in a clear, concise manner. Ability to work cooperatively with military and civilian medical, social service, law enforcement and legal personnel on behalf of victims. Experience with preparing court testimony and victim impact statements is preferred. Ability to develop trusting helping relationships and to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Knowledge of military organizations, missions, lifestyles, and situations, including persons in the medical, legal, and social service communities. Ability to express oneself orally and in writing in a professional manner, to deal with diversified groups, individuals, and organizations, and to compose written reports and material clearly, concisely and effectively. Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing in English. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Fleet & Family Support Management Information System (FFSMIS) preferred. Knowledge and ability to use a personal computer and a variety of software programs to develop multi-media presentations.
Family Advocacy Program Victim Advocacy (40%) Serve as Victim Advocate for the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), providing comprehensive assistance and liaison to and for victims of spouse/intimate partner abuse and non-offending parents or caregivers of victims of child abuse; and educating installation personnel on the most effective responses to domestic violence/intimate partner abuse on behalf of victims and at-risk family members. Screen victims of domestic abuse, evaluates their needs, and provides them with information about domestic violence, safe and confidential ways to seek assistance, their rights as Navy spouses, and the resources and services available to them. Coordinate with the FAP case manager on developing appropriate plan of assistance/intervention, which provides for the safety of the victim and their family members. Ensure that the clinical case manager is fully aware of the victim's situation. When FAP case managers are not on duty, this may involve working with law enforcement and/or sponsoring command. Provide services for victims of spouse/intimate partner abuse and their families to include the following: crisis intervention; assistance in securing medical treatment for injuries; information on legal rights and resources available through both military and civilian programs; education, transportation; pretrial, trial, and post-trial support; and follow-up. Provide advocacy services to non-offending parents or caregivers of identified victims of child abuse, including safety planning, identifying supportive resources, working with civilian authorities, and creating an environment that makes it easy for the non-offending parent or caregiver to support the child. Advocate for the expressed interests and safety of the victim when providing information to military and civilian courts; the Clinical Case Staff Meeting; and, when accompanying victims to legal appointments and investigative interviews. Report all suspected child abuse or neglect cases to proper state child protective service authorities in coordination with the Family Advocacy Representative (FAR) for investigation. Report incidents to military police and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), as appropriate. FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM EDUCATOR (40%) Provide instruction to small groups and large classes on issues related to marriage enhancement, positive parenting, anger management, stress management, communication skills, conflict resolution, domestic abuse prevention and awareness, and child abuse prevention and awareness. Develop and facilitate briefings and classes for commands and other military agencies on domestic abuse and child abuse to promote healthy family interactions and reduce incidences of family maltreatment in accordance with direction from higher headquarters. Provide primary and secondary education and training to professionals and paraprofessionals who work with children aboard installation to include but not limited to childcare programs, youth sports volunteers, schools, and law enforcement in accordance with DoD policy. Analyze installation specific data regarding child abuse and domestic abuse to identify populations at risk, trends, and areas of improvements. Utilize a variety of fact-finding techniques such as interviews, cases analysis, and observation to elicit appropriate data, identify areas of operation, and recommend policy and process improvements. Provide training to 100% of the commander assigned to the installation. COMMUNITY OUTREACH (20%) Participate in the Family Advocacy Committee (FAC), which is the policymaking, coordinating, recommending, and overseeing body for the response to child abuse and domestic abuse with other agencies in accordance with the Department of Defense Instruction. Collaborate with other agencies within the "Coordinated Community Response" (CCR) framework under the FAC. Assist with the development of the CCR annual plan with specific objectives, strategies, and measurable outcomes. The annual plan includes universal, selective, and indicated interventions based on identified installation trends in regard to child abuse and domestic abuse. Collaborate with other program specialists who develop the program evaluation plan, suggest methodology, and provide guidance on handling of technical problems, and public relations issues. Establish and maintain command and military community relationships. Collaborate with other military agencies to support and ensure command and unit training requirements are achieved. Establish relationships with civilian organizations to improve coordination on issues related to family violence, engage in proactive outreach, and implement prevention programming. Provide outreach to promote community awareness of the dynamics of abuse, local resources, and Family Advocacy Program services. Perform other duties as assigned.