Onsite Victim Advocate - Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

Military Spouse Corporate Career Network•Schofield Barracks, HI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides victim advocacy services under the Army’s Family Advocacy Program (FAP) and Victim Advocacy Program (VAP), supporting Soldiers and Army Families living on and off the installation. The role provides comprehensive services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, to assist victims of domestic abuse and connect them with community resources. Services include crisis intervention, emotional support, transportation arrangements, accompaniment to medical, legal, and law enforcement appointments when requested, assistance obtaining protective orders, emergency food or shelter, and information about benefits and available resources. The advocate conducts initial screening, non-clinical risk and lethality assessments, and safety planning; assesses imminent risks to victims’ health or safety; and makes referrals as appropriate. The advocate explains reporting options and victim rights, helps victims navigate service systems, coordinates with the installation Family Advocacy Program Manager (FAPM), and works with intervening agencies to address victims’ expressed needs. Initial victim contact must be made by telephone within 20 minutes or face-to-face within 60 minutes when requested. The role requires daily contact with victims in crisis and contact at least every 30 days when they are not in crisis. Cases are transferred or closed as appropriate, with FAPM concurrence. The position also supports children and families during child abuse investigations and prosecution. It guides families through investigative processes, educates non-offending caregivers about child abuse dynamics and possible long-term consequences, assesses family needs, encourages recommended services and counseling, helps with Crime Victims’ Compensation applications, and liaises with multidisciplinary team members. The advocate represents the child and family’s best interests at case review meetings and accompanies non-offending caregivers to court or other appointments when requested. The role conducts domestic abuse training and awareness programs, participates in community awareness and prevention events, maintains case management records, and completes data entry within three business days. The position operates under FAP and Victim Advocacy Program guidelines, including AR 608-18, and requires on-call victim advocacy availability 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule, primarily nights and weekends with some daytime hours depending on installation needs. Part-time positions vary from 12 to 35 hours per week.

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, and 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, and ability to develop trusting helping relationships.
Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to cooperate 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 non-emergent crisis situation as a last resort.
Ability to provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, primarily nights and weekends, with some daytime hours as required by installation needs.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention and comprehensive advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse.
Offer emotional support and arrange transportation, emergency food, shelter, and other assistance.
Accompany victims to medical, legal, and law enforcement appointments when requested, and assist with securing protective orders.
Assess imminent health and safety risks, conduct initial screening and non-clinical risk and lethality assessments, and develop safety plans.
Explain victim rights, available resources, and FAP disclosure and reporting options so victims can make informed decisions.
Make initial contact within 20 minutes by telephone or within 60 minutes face-to-face when requested by a victim.
Contact emergency medical services, law enforcement, or other first responders immediately when a crisis presents imminent harm to a victim, their children, or program staff.
Coordinate with the FAPM to provide comprehensive victim services and training through a coordinated community response.
Provide a warm handoff to community resources for victims who are not eligible for services through a Military Treatment Facility.
Help victims navigate service systems, make referrals, and ensure their expressed needs are presented to intervening agencies.
Conduct domestic abuse training and awareness programs for Soldiers, Family members, and Civilians.
Guide client families through child abuse investigations, explain victim rights, and support their participation in the investigative process.
Educate non-offending caregivers about child abuse dynamics and possible long-term consequences, assess family needs, and encourage recommended services and counseling.
Assist with Crime Victims’ Compensation applications and serve as a liaison between families and multidisciplinary team members.
Represent children’s and families’ best interests at multidisciplinary team case review meetings and accompany non-offending caregivers to court or other appointments when requested.
Participate in community awareness campaigns and prevention events.
Maintain ongoing case management, complete data entry within three business days, and maintain required contact with victims.
Transfer cases when victims leave the servicing area and close cases when advocacy services are completed, as appropriate and with FAPM concurrence.
Provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.