Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

ADC Management Services•Vandenberg AFB, CA

11d•$34 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates (DAVAs) work with the United States Air Force Family Advocacy Program at Vandenberg Air Force Base. They provide 24/7 non-clinical crisis intervention and ongoing support, as requested, to USAF personnel, family members, and intimate partners who are victims of domestic abuse. Services include safety and risk assessments, explaining victims’ rights, safety planning, accompaniment to court, medical, or legal appointments, and providing information and referrals. DAVAs also promote a coordinated community response to domestic abuse and support the Family Advocacy Program through system advocacy, education, and public awareness. The position requires at least 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 crisis situations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to input, retrieve, and format documentation using various databases or software.
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.
For DAVA personnel working within a Military Treatment Facility, current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (Course C) or the American Red Cross CPR/BLS (Heart Saver) Course.
Ability to perform the essential duties 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.
Establish an individualized victim safety plan, prioritizing the safety of the victim.
Conduct initial and ongoing risk assessments.
Advise victims about military or civil actions available to promote safety, such as military protective orders, restraining orders, and injunctions.
Provide victims with information about identified needs and resources, 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 DAVA’s location and timelines while providing victim services.
Continually evaluate the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve the system response to victims.
Empower victims to participate in plans and decisions concerning the safety of themselves and their children.
Collaborate and establish protocols with 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 through system advocacy, education, and public awareness.