On Site Victim Advocate, Fort Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia

Magellan Health•Arlington, VA

20d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides advocacy, intervention, prevention, education, and training services addressing domestic violence under the Army Family Advocacy Program (FAP). Supports the Army Victim Advocacy Program, which offers comprehensive services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to victims of domestic abuse and helps them transition to community resources. Serves Soldiers and Army Families living on and off the installation in accordance with program protocols. Provides crisis intervention and comprehensive support, including emotional support, transportation arrangements, accompaniment to medical, legal, and law enforcement appointments when requested, help obtaining protective orders, emergency food or shelter, and information about benefits. Advocates for victims’ expressed needs with intervening agencies, assesses imminent health and safety risks, makes referrals, and helps victims navigate services and obtain continued care. Ensures victims receive sensitive, confidential, immediate care and treatment intended to restore health and well-being. Conducts initial screening, non-clinical risk and lethality assessments, and safety planning. Provides emotional support, crisis intervention, prevention awareness, and education. Coordinates with the installation Family Advocacy Program Manager (FAPM) to provide comprehensive victim services and training through a coordinated community response. Provides crisis intervention and warm handoffs to community resources for victims who are not eligible for Military Treatment Facility services. Shares information about victim rights and available on- and off-installation resources, and coordinates procedures to ensure victims receive timely and appropriate information. Makes contact with victims within 20 minutes by telephone or within 60 minutes face-to-face when requested. Explains FAP disclosure and reporting options during initial contact. Ensures first responders, including emergency medical services or law enforcement, are contacted immediately when a crisis presents imminent harm to a victim, their children, or program staff. Operates under FAP and Victim Advocacy Program guidelines, including AR 608-18, and conducts domestic abuse training and awareness programs for Soldiers, Family members, and Civilians. Supports families involved in Problematic Sexual Behavior–Child and Youth (PSB-CY) matters and child abuse investigations. Guides families through investigative processes, explains victim rights, develops intervention strategies, identifies family needs, educates non-offending caregivers about child abuse dynamics and possible long-term consequences, and encourages participation in recommended services and counseling. Provides information and assistance with Crime Victims’ Compensation applications; liaises with families and multidisciplinary team members; contributes recommendations, represents the child and family’s best interests at case-review meetings, and accompanies non-offending caregivers to court or other appointments when requested. Maintains case management and completes data entry within three business days. Contacts victims daily while they are in crisis and at least every 30 days when they are not in crisis. Transfers or closes cases as appropriate, with FAPM concurrence for case closure. The job duties are representative and not exhaustive; a leader may assign additional or other duties aligned with the role. The posting describes part-time positions as varying from 12 to 35 hours per week. The schedule is flexible and primarily includes nights and weekends, with some daytime hours based on installation needs. The role requires availability to provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a Service Contract Act-covered position; pay and the health and welfare allowance are specified in the applicable wage determination agreement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, marriage, family, and child counseling, counseling or behavioral science, education, community health, or public health.
Two years of experience working with victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault, or in victim advocacy services.
Working knowledge of family violence dynamics, safety planning, risk assessments, local community resources, federal and state laws pertaining to domestic abuse or sexual assault, family law, and the Victim Rights Bill.
Ability to intervene in crisis situations using sound professional judgment, ethical practice, and common sense.
Ability to independently assess risk and develop, implement, and evaluate safety and intervention plans to meet victim needs.
Demonstrated understanding, sensitivity, and empathy for victims.
Ability to develop trusting helping relationships.
Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to work cooperatively with military and civilian medical, social service, law enforcement, and legal personnel on behalf of victims.
Valid, unrestricted motor vehicle license that must be maintained.
Transportation available to transport a victim in a crisis non-emergency situation as a last resort.
Ability to provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Understanding of Problematic Sexual Behavior–Child and Youth (PSB-CY).
Ability to work a flexible schedule, primarily nights and weekends with some daytime hours, based on installation needs.

Nice To Haves

Military work experience.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and comprehensive advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse.
Arrange transportation and, when requested, accompany victims to medical, legal, law enforcement, court, and other appointments.
Assist victims with protective orders, emergency food or shelter, benefits information, and referrals to community services.
Advocate for victims’ expressed needs with personnel at intervening agencies.
Assess imminent health and safety risks, conduct initial screening and non-clinical risk and lethality assessments, and develop safety plans.
Help victims navigate services and connect with appropriate resources for continued care.
Coordinate victim services and training with the installation Family Advocacy Program Manager through a coordinated community response.
Provide crisis intervention and warm handoffs to community resources for victims who are ineligible for Military Treatment Facility services.
Inform victims about rights, services, resources, and FAP disclosure and reporting options.
Contact victims within 20 minutes by telephone or within 60 minutes face-to-face when requested.
Ensure first responders are contacted immediately in crises involving imminent harm to victims, children, or program staff.
Conduct domestic abuse training, awareness, education, and prevention programs for Soldiers, Family members, and Civilians.
Guide client families through child abuse investigations and prosecution processes, explain victim rights, and encourage participation.
Identify family needs, formulate intervention strategies, educate non-offending caregivers, and encourage recommended services and counseling.
Assist with Crime Victims’ Compensation applications and serve as a liaison between families and multidisciplinary team members.
Provide recommendations to multidisciplinary team members and represent the child and family’s best interests at case review meetings.
Participate in relevant community awareness campaigns and prevention events.
Maintain ongoing case management and complete data entry within three business days.
Maintain daily contact with victims in crisis and contact victims at least every 30 days when they are not in crisis.
Transfer cases when victims leave the servicing area and close cases as appropriate with FAPM concurrence.
Provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.