Sexual Assault Prevention Response Victim Advocate; Sapr Va

Overview

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE (SAPR VA), Position Description Number T5920000 and is part of the ME MEARNG ELEMENT JFHQ, National Guard.

This position is located at the JFHQ and specified Wings in a Non-IRC Funded position. Serves as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA) as the primary SAPR program victim assistance resource at the installation for all supported tenant commands in high concentration areas. The SAPR VA provides sexual assault victim advocacy and a non-clinical response that is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, culturally competent, and recovery-oriented.

This includes accepting Restricted and Unrestricted Reports of sexual assault, providing referrals, and informing victims of their options. Advocacy support includes risk screening, ongoing non-clinical safety assessment and planning, and needs assessments for adult victims of sexual assault. The SAPR VA reports to, is supervised, and evaluated by the Supervisory Principal Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC).

Major duties (approx. 75% of time):

• Perform essential victim service, advocacy, and support duties; provide a non-clinical response that is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented for adult victims of sexual assault.
• Demonstrate understanding of trauma related to sexual violence and related complexities; maintain privacy and handle sensitive information.
• Apply basic strategies for skilled communication to provide initial victim advocacy services and crisis intervention, comply with mandated time frames for responding to requests and completing required documents, and coordinate with medical, legal, and civilian and military law enforcement resources.
• Conduct mandated initial risk screening; non-clinical safety assessment and planning; and coordinate resources to address immediate risk, safety, and supportive service needs with an emphasis on confidentiality and informed consent. Determine which cases can be managed independently with the SARC.
• Accept official reports by assisting the victim in completing DoD forms (e.g., DD Form 2910), handling PII with care, and communicating the SAPR VA role in the reporting process; provide tailored referrals and resources.
• Assist the victim in prioritizing actions and identifying short- and long-term options to support needs and recovery.
• Provide guidance on reporting options (Restricted and Unrestricted), explain eligibility criteria for Special Victims  Counsel (SVC), uphold rights and confidentiality, and facilitate warm hand-offs as requested.
• Support victims through administrative, medical, investigative, and legal procedures to support self-determination and informed decision-making; assist with complex assessments using trauma-informed approaches.
• Apply research-informed practices in victim advocacy, including standardized risk screenings and non-clinical safety assessments, and develop individualized safety plans and ongoing needs assessments.
• Prioritize confidentiality and informed consent; explain protections and exceptions to confidentiality for all covered communications, including Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting per relevant policies and ethics.

• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Within 60 days of appointment to a Position of Trust and Moderate Risk, obtain a favorable Tier 3 background investigation as directed by DoD and NGB.
• Within 90 days of appointment as a National Guard SAPR Professional, complete the NGB Joint Course (even if currently D-SAACP certified).
• Maintain D-SAACP certification and comply with annual continuing education requirements.
• HRO must complete a Screening/Rescreening Criteria Worksheet for enrollment into The NG SAPR Joint Initial Course.