HAVEN Family Violence Prevention Specialist
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Family Violence Prevention Specialist (FVPS) works in tandem with our Client Services Team to provide trauma informed advocacy to individuals impacted by domestic and sexual violence. In addition the FVPS acts as a Liaison to the Division of Child, Youth and Families (DCYF) working to improve interventions with families experiencing a co-occurrence of domestic violence and child abuse/neglect in order to maximize their safety and well-being.
FVPS – Direct Client Services: (20 hours per week)
- Provide direct service advocacy to clients on the crisis line and in person during office hours.
- Accompany clients to courts, child advocacy centers, police stations, and hospitals.
- Provide clients appropriate resources and referrals to other agencies.
- Provide support group facilitation on a rotating basis as needed.
- Provide on call staff backup for night, weekend and holiday coverage on a rotating basis with other staff.
- Other duties as needed.
FVPS – Liaison with DCYF (20 hours per week):
- Works in a collaborative partnership with DCYF caseworkers to identify domestic violence in families where allegations of child abuse/neglect have been made.
- Provides ongoing, confidential advocacy and support to DV victims and their families.
- Provides consultation to DCYF throughout the duration of domestic violence related cases. This may include: review of the case worker concerns, input into case planning, information on local resources and current trends, and advocating for best practice.
- Provide consultation and training to DCYF caseworkers on safety planning, and identification of a predominant aggressor.
- Accompany clients to DCYF court hearings.
- Accompany DCYF case workers to in home client meetings when determined to be safe and consistent with current policies and protocols.
- Attend relevant agency, DCYF and Coalition meetings and trainings.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required and 3 years of related experience.
SKILLS: Crisis intervention and trauma informed advocacy skills, strong communication skills, culturally sensitive and able to work non-judgmentally with wide range of personalities and backgrounds. Demonstrated leadership skills and coordination/oversight experience in a social service environment preferred. Must complete 30-hour advocacy training prior to the provision of direct services.
KNOWLEDGE: Understanding of issues relating to sexual and domestic violence and challenges of a community-based crisis center. Knowledge of local community resources.
TRAITS: Flexible, adaptable, professional, compassionate, dedicated, maintain healthy boundaries, passionate about the issue of sexual and domestic violence; able to work independently and collaboratively with our client services team and community partners.
STATUS OF POSITION
Reports to: Family Violence Prevention Supervisor
Location: Portsmouth, NH
Hours per week: 40 (some on call nights and weekends required)
Status: Benefits Eligible – Non-Exempt