Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as an installation level Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA) to individuals eligible for sexual assault and sexual harassment reporting options and advocacy services via the SAPR office.
Conditions of Employment Continued: This position has been identified as a position of public trust IAW DOD policy. Minimum of Tier 3 Background investigation that must be IAW DoD and OPM requirements and augmented by a State Criminal History Record Check (SCHRC) or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation (CE) is required. Pre-screening requirements must be met prior to ordering a minimum Tier 3 background investigation as defined in the federal investigative standards implementation plan. Personnel may proceed with obtaining D-SAACP certification once pre-screening requirements have been met and no adverse information or disqualifying conditions found. Personnel may not have a disqualifying condition as listed in DoDI 6495.03; Incumbent must obtain and maintain an active D-SAACP certification in accordance with (IAW) Section 584 of Public Law 112-81 and DoDI 6495.03 as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain a condition of employment may result in disciplinary and/or adverse action up to removal from federal service. This position has been designated by the DAF as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the DAF, national security, and public safety. Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or an on-call status; The on-call or rotational status requires that SAPR personnel work hours could vary, to include a requirement to be available 24/7, to respond to calls received via the helpline, from military or civilian law enforcement or from the military treatment facility or local hospital. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, GS-0101 Series. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Successfully completed a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in 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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes a diverse knowledge of accepted practices and procedures associated with victim advocacy, social services delivery systems, principles, and behavioral theories relating to victim advocacy, sexual assault/sexual harassment, and other acts of interpersonal violence; performing crisis intervention, safety planning, referral, ongoing nonclinical support in serious and complicated cases; conducting assessments of individuals to determine required needs and evaluating safety and levels of risks exercising authoritative judgment. OR EDUCATION: Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Have equivalent combinations of successfully completed master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL. B. or J.D., if related and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of a wide range of social science and social work principles, concepts, practices, and social service delivery related to victim advocacy and the SAPR program pertaining to sexual assault prevention and response. Knowledge of Public Law, regulations, executive orders, etc. to include the DoD and DAF organizational structure, management policies, methods, and practices relating to sexual assault/sexual harassment victim advocacy and related self-directed or interpersonal violence. Skill with trauma-informed practices to provide tailored emotional support, ensuring victims feel respected, heard, and understood; Develops SAPR service networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals with extensive knowledge of on- and off- installation resources within the direct geographical region to offer each victim tailored and comprehensive referrals. Skill with training and education techniques to implement and deliver sexual assault/sexual harassment prevention and response training and facilitate meaningful discussions to achieve intended training outcomes. Ability to develop trusting relationships engaging interpersonal skills within the scope of supporting sexual assault victims: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. Ability to employ various methods and techniques of highly skilled professional advocacy (crisis intervention, situational assessment, needs assessment/analysis, etc.) and effectively define scope and parameter of the SAPR VA role to empower victims from initial response to resolution of complex problems, or termination of the professional relationship. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Serves as an installation Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate. Provides a wide range of essential support and advocacy services, liaison services, and care to victims of sexual assault and military sexual harassment in accordance with DoD and DAF policy. Provides comprehensive assistance to victims on sexual assault and military sexual harassment reporting options (Restricted and Unrestricted), explaining exceptions and limitations for each, ensuring understanding of the eligibility criteria for Victims' Counsel (VC), and maintains support and follow-up contact with victims throughout the lifecycle of the case. Provides each victim tailored comprehensive referrals to on-installation and off-installation resources to include victim advocacy, legal, and medical/mental healthcare. Collaborates with victims to assess their readiness for case closure and develop a comprehensive closure plan, inclusive of completing a final safety assessment, applying transition strategies, and providing resources for continued care or needs. Coordinates with SARC/Principal SARC and collaboratively with relevant stakeholders on logistics and support of sexual assault and sexual harassment reporting information and prevention activities to promote positive behaviors and increase protective factors.