Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

ADC Management Services•Minot, ND

11d•$30 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates (DAVAs) work with the United States Air Force Family Advocacy Program at Minot Air Force Base to provide 24/7 non-clinical crisis intervention and ongoing support to USAF personnel, their family members, or intimate partners who are victims of domestic abuse. Services are provided by telephone or in person according to the client’s needs and include risk and safety assessments, explaining victims’ rights, safety planning, accompaniment to court, medical, or legal appointments, and providing information and referrals to resources. DAVAs also promote a coordinated community response and support the Family Advocacy Program through system advocacy, education, and public awareness. The role requires a minimum of 40 hours per week and 24/7 on-call response. At the Social Work Supervisor’s discretion, the DAVA may also provide emotional support and information and referral services to a non-offending caregiver in a child maltreatment or youth sexual assault case.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling or Behavioral Science, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, or a related field.
Two years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault.
Knowledge of military programs, organizations, chain of command, unit missions, lifestyles, and situations that contribute to family stress, problems, and crises.
Proof of immunization for Hepatitis B, Varicella, Measles, Influenza, Mumps, and Rubella according to CDC guidelines.
Proof of a negative TB skin test completed within the past 12 months.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to input, retrieve, and format documentation using various databases and software.
For DAVA personnel working within a Military Treatment Facility, current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) (Course C) or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS (Heart Saver) Course.
Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Provide 24/7 response to victims alleging abuse, by telephone or in person according to client needs.
Develop a case-specific victim safety plan, prioritizing the victim’s safety.
Conduct initial and ongoing risk assessments.
Inform victims of available military or civil actions to promote safety, such as military orders of protection, restraining orders, and injunctions.
Provide information about resources addressing identified needs, including emergency shelter, housing, childcare, legal services, clinical resources, medical services, and transitional compensation.
Accompany clients to appointments or court proceedings when requested.
Establish a process for keeping the social work supervisor and designated points of contact informed of the advocate’s location and timelines while providing victim services.
Evaluate the quality of the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve it.
Empower victims to participate in plans and decisions concerning their own safety and the safety of their children.
Collaborate with and establish protocols involving the Security Forces Squadron, Office of Special Investigations, and Military Medical Treatment Facilities.
At the Social Work Supervisor’s discretion, provide emotional support and information and referral services to a non-offending caregiver in a child maltreatment or youth sexual assault case.
Support the Family Advocacy Program by providing system advocacy, education, and public awareness services.