Domestic Violence Specialist

Job Title: Domestic Violence Specialist

Position Type: Full-Time

Department/Group: Centers Against Violence

Location: Elkins, West Virginia

Wage: $15.00 -$18.00 hr

Travel Required: Yes

HR Contact: Jennifer “JJ” Johnson Coverage

Area: Randolph & Barbour Counties

Applications Accepted By:

Email: director@wvcav.org

Subject Line: DV Specialist Application Package

Minimum Contents: Resume, Cover Letter, Salary Requirements, and three references (2 Professional and 1 Personal).

Mail: Jennifer Johnson Centers Against Violence PO Box 2062 Elkins, WV 26241

At Centers Against Violence, the Domestic Violence Specialist is a professional who collaborates with Child and Adult Protective Services to provide advanced, meaningful advocacy and specialized services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, related sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. This position is currently co-located within the Randolph County Department of Human Services (DoHS), the Barbour County DoHS and the CAV Randolph County office, with the ability to work in all other counties served by Centers Against Violence. The Domestic Violence Specialist possesses a unique skill set to support survivors in identifying abusive behaviors, developing safety plans, and accessing vital resources while maintaining strict confidentiality. Additionally, the Domestic Violence Specialist assesses offenders, including highly dangerous and potentially lethal individuals, to promote survivor safety and offender accountability. The Domestic Violence Advocate is committed to utilizing a trauma informed approach when providing services, while maintaining the highest possible level of confidentiality in their communications with survivors.

Position Description

The following are the essential functions of the job being described. This description does not state or imply that these requirements are the only duties that may be assigned to the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related activities as requested by their supervisor.

All employees holding the position must be able to perform the essential functions described in this Job Description. However, these requirements may be subject to modification in order to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others with whom they come in contact.

Centers Against Violence is a Non-Profit and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Accountabilities:

Using a victim centered and trauma informed approach to service provision, the Domestic Violence Specialist will assist survivors of domestic and/ or sexual violence, or their families, through in-person or telephone support as needed. Examples of duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assess the nature and extent of domestic violence (SAFeR Assessment)
• Assess for highly dangerous/potentially lethal behaviors (DLAG)
• Make recommendations for specific safety services for victim safety and offender accountability to DoHS
• Coordinate quarterly county Coordinated Community Response Team (CCR)
• Be housed an annual average of at least 50% of time in County DoHS
• Provide consultation and training assistance to County DoHS offices
• Complete DV Advocate certification and continue to participate in relevant/approved trainings (minimum of 8 hours per year)
• Offer informed testimony in court to support survivor advocacy (with appropriate training)
• Participate on the state Co-Located Advocate Steering Committee (coordinated by WVCADV)
• Participate in WV Human Trafficking Task Force Training
• Provide individualized safety planning to optimize survivor safety and autonomy
• Provide insight and consultation to other CAV staff working with survivors who are involved with CPS/APS
• Assist survivors through the legal process by providing support, guidance and accompaniment
• Provide emergency room accompaniment
• Make referrals to (and collaborate with) appropriate service providers; serve as a liaison as needed
• Respond to survivors’ immediate needs, offering support and advocacy as needed
• Attend team meetings as required to ensure the best possible level of cooperation among members
• Provide awareness activities and educational presentations to the community
• Work with diverse populations (clients and allied agencies) in a culturally informed manner
• Speak publicly to groups on issues relating to our work, if needed
• Flexible to travel, sometimes overnight, for meetings or trainings
• Complete database entries, required agency and grant paperwork in a timely manner
• Assist with preparation of monthly and annual reports for funding agencies
• Other duties as assigned
• Political activity is prohibited.

Position Qualifications:

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work, or similar field; significant experience in client services will be considered.

Minimum Experience: Experience and training in victim services field is preferred.

Skills: Ability to become efficient in the use of required technology.

Centers Against Violence Domestic Violence Specialist will be supervised by the Specialty Supervisor.

Physical: Requires prolonged standing or sitting. Requires frequent bending, stooping, or stretching. Requires lifting up to 50 pounds. Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity. Requires the ability to distinguish letters and symbols. Requires some climbing of ladders for changing light bulbs and making beds.

Mental: Concentrated mental and or visual activity is required for gathering information and handling clients, verbal communication skills, reading, and writing. The employee must respond to emergency situations in a calm, professional manner.

Environmental: Work is performed in an office environment. Frequent exposure to contagious diseases from infectious clients, exposure to electrical current from equipment in area. Exposure to atmospheric hazards such as dust, odors, poor ventilation, and fumes.

Equipment: Requires the use of office equipment, such as computer, telephones, copiers, fax machines, calculators, etc.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Multiple locations

Salary : $15 - $18