Onsite Victim Advocate - Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

VetJobs•Schofield Barracks, HI

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides advocacy, intervention, prevention, education, and training services addressing domestic violence under the Army Family Advocacy Program (FAP). The role supports the Victim Advocacy Program (VAP), providing comprehensive services 24 hours a day, seven days a week to victims of domestic abuse and helping them transition to community resources. The advocate serves Soldiers and Army Families living on and off the installation, in accordance with program protocol. The advocate provides crisis intervention and support, including 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 referrals to appropriate services. The advocate assesses immediate health and safety risks, conducts initial non-clinical risk and lethality assessments, develops safety plans, explains victim rights and reporting options, and coordinates timely, confidential care. Contact is made by telephone within 20 minutes or face-to-face within 60 minutes when requested. First responders must be contacted immediately when a crisis involves imminent harm. The position coordinates with the installation Family Advocacy Program Manager (FAPM), community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams. Duties also include educating Soldiers, Family members, and Civilians; supporting families through child-abuse investigations and prosecution; identifying family needs and recommended services; assisting with Crime Victims’ Compensation applications; representing children’s and families’ interests at case-review meetings; and maintaining case management records. Data entry must be completed within three business days. Victims are contacted daily while in crisis and at least every 30 days when not in crisis. Cases are transferred or closed as appropriate, with FAPM concurrence. The posting describes part-time positions as 12–35 hours per week, with a flexible schedule that primarily includes nights and weekends and some daytime hours depending on installation needs. The position also requires availability to provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, seven days a 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; the listing specifies a bachelor’s degree in counseling as required education.
Two years of experience working with victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, violence, or victim advocacy services.
Working knowledge of family-violence dynamics, safety planning, risk assessments, local community resources, applicable federal and state laws, family law, and the Victim Rights Bill.
Ability to intervene in crisis situations using sound professional judgment, ethical practice, and common sense.
Ability to work independently to assess risk and develop, implement, and evaluate safety and intervention plans.
Demonstrated understanding, sensitivity, and empathy for victims, and ability to build 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.
Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted motor vehicle license.
Must have transportation available to transport a victim in a non-emergent crisis situation as a last resort.
Must be able to provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Understanding of the Problematic Sexual Behavior–Child and Youth (PSB-CY) Guide.

Nice To Haves

Military experience.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and comprehensive victim advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse.
Arrange transportation and, when requested, accompany victims to medical, legal, and law-enforcement appointments.
Assist victims with protective orders, emergency food or shelter, benefits information, and access to community resources.
Assess imminent health and safety risks; conduct initial non-clinical risk and lethality assessments; and develop safety plans.
Explain victim rights, FAP disclosure and reporting options, and available on- and off-installation services.
Contact victims by telephone within 20 minutes or face-to-face within 60 minutes when requested.
Contact first responders immediately during crisis situations involving imminent harm to victims, children, or program staff.
Coordinate with the FAPM to provide comprehensive services, training, and timely information through a coordinated community response.
Provide a warm handoff to community resources for victims not eligible for services through a Military Treatment Facility.
Conduct domestic-abuse training, awareness, prevention, and education programs for Soldiers, Family members, and Civilians.
Guide client families through child-abuse investigations, explain victim rights, and encourage participation in the process.
Develop intervention strategies to improve family coping during child-abuse investigations and prosecutions.
Identify and address the needs of children and families in crisis; educate non-offending caregivers about child-abuse dynamics and potential long-term consequences; and encourage participation in recommended services and counseling.
Assist families with Crime Victims’ Compensation applications and serve as a liaison with multidisciplinary team members.
Represent the best interests of children and families 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 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 or close cases as appropriate, with FAPM concurrence.
Provide on-call victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.