Victim Advocate

About the opportunity

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Program Workforce Positions to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to competitive service positions. As a Victim Advocate in the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) Program, the incumbent provides professional and comprehensive advocacy services to individuals exhibiting a wide variety of issues related to being a complainant, victim, or survivor of sexual harassment or sexual assault. Major duties include conducting outreach and awareness activities, maintaining accurate case files and official reports, conducting safety assessments, developing tailored case management plans, and providing immediate and long-term advocacy and crisis intervention support, including maintaining 24/7 hotline access for adult victims.

Salary and benefits

• Salary ranging from $77,983 to $101,383 per year (PA), which includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement
• Potential special programs/incentives that may be offered if appropriate and in the best interest of the government, including Student Loan Repayment, Advanced In-hire/Advanced Leave Accrual for new Federal employees, and Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Who can apply?

• U.S. Citizens
• Applicants must meet basic education and/or experience requirements such as a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in behavioral or social science or related disciplines (e.g., Psychology, Counseling, Social work, Human services), a combination of education and experience equivalent to a major, or four years of appropriate experience
• Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience typical of the GS-09 level (e.g., providing professional advocacy services to victims/survivors of sexual assault/sexual harassment, conducting client assessments for needs and risks, conducting training/seminars, and coordinating support services), or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a combination of both
• Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet time-in-grade requirements with 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09)

Required documents

• Resume: Must be two pages or less, support the specialized experience, and include employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and a brief description of duties
• Transcripts: Required if qualifying based on education or utilizing education substitution
• Optional supporting documents such as a Cover Letter or most recent Performance Appraisal

When to apply

• Application closing date: September 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST)

How to apply

• Complete the online questionnaire via USAJOBS
• Select your resume and required supporting documents from your USAJOBS account to include in the application package
• Review your application package for completeness and accuracy
• Complete the Include Personal Information section and submit the application before the closing date

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required
• A one-year trial/probationary period may be required
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized