Community Services Aide (Abuse Intervention Specialist) – Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Department of Human Services

Organizational Overview:

The mission of the Bergen County’s Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) is to partner with individuals and groups to prevent and eliminate domestic violence, dating abuse, and other forms of intimate partner violence, through comprehensive service approaches that strategically address the multifaceted causes and effects of abuse in diverse communities, such as prevention education, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, evidence-based counseling programs, and coordinated community responses to violence.

Job Description:

This employment opportunity is to serve as a Community Service Aide (Abuse Intervention Specialist) to facilitate court mandated group programming for individuals who have used abusive behaviors in intimate partner relationships. Under direction, will perform a variety of routine field and office work involved in community-oriented programs. This position delivers structured, evidence based psychoeducational programming focused on offender accountability, behavior change, and victim/survivor safety.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in the implementation and delivery of community-oriented service programs which benefit community residents.
• Facilitate structured group intervention sessions using an evidence-based Abuse Intervention Program curriculum
• Challenge abusive belief systems and promote accountability through cognitive behavioral approaches
• Monitor participant compliance with court and program requirements
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and report safety concerns appropriately
• Refers information to appropriate agencies regarding needs for new/altered programs for community residents.
• Prepares reports.
• Maintains essential records and files.

Schedule:

• Full time (40 hours/week) – Monday – Friday
• Evening group sessions 1-2 times per week (as needed)
• Overtime occasional

Education and Experience Requirements: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Forensics, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or closely related field

and

• One (1) year of professional experience in: group facilitation, counseling services, domestic violence intervention, offender accountability programming, case management, crisis intervention, or community-based social services

or

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Forensics, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or closely related field.

or

• Three (3) years of relevant professional experience.

Other Requirements:

• Preferred: LSW, LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or other relevant counseling/social work licensure
• Mandatory DV Confidentiality Training: Must have completed or be willing and able to complete the 40-hour mandatory victim confidentiality training (NJ State requirement per N.J.A.C. 10:121)
• CPR/AED certification preferred (can be obtained within 90 days of hire)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual Spanish/English candidates are strongly encouraged to apply (must be able to read, write, speak, and understand both languages sufficiently to perform duties)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Word, Outlook and Excel programs.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey to perform essential duties of the position.

What we offer:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Enrollment into the state pension system
• Life, Short-term Disability & Long-term Disability coverage
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Competitive hourly wages
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Salary: $50,000 / per annum, commensurate with experience

Please send resume and employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

The County of Bergen complies with the New Jersey First Act. An employee’s primary residence must be within the State of New Jersey, or the employee will have 365 days (1 Year) from their date of hire to satisfy the requirement of principal residency.