Human Services Specialist (Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) Advocate) – 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 Human Services Specialist to the Division of Alternatives to Domestic Violence. Under supervision, provides direct, field-based crisis intervention and victim advocacy services to individuals experiencing domestic violence. Responds to incidents in coordination with law enforcement, delivers trauma informed support, conducts safety planning, and completes required documentation. Performs physically and emotionally demanding work in crisis settings while adhering to confidentiality and victim centered standards

Job Responsibilities:

Crisis Response & Direct Advocacy

• Respond to domestic violence incidents in coordination with law enforcement when dispatched
• Provide immediate, trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention, and safety planning to victims at the scene or shortly thereafter
• Conduct risk and lethality assessments using approved tools
• Offer referrals to shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, housing, and community resources
• Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold Victim Counselor Privilege standards

Field-Based & Physical Responsibilities

• Travel to police departments, hospitals, courts, shelters, and community locations as needed
• Participate in on-call rotation, including evenings and weekends, to ensure real-time DVRT coverage
• Support victims through court accompaniment, law enforcement interviews, and systems navigation

Documentation & Data Entry

• Accurately document all DVRT responses, interventions, and follow-up actions in agency databases
• Ensure timely completion of reports to support monthly statistics, grant reporting, and program evaluation
• Communicate case updates and concerns to the Advocacy Coordinator

Collaboration & Systems Advocacy

• Work collaboratively with law enforcement, hotline staff, shelter teams, and legal advocates
• Identify and communicate system barriers impacting victim safety or service access
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and coordinated community response efforts

Training & Professional Development

• Complete required DVRT, legal advocacy, and crisis intervention trainings
• Participate in ongoing supervision, case consultation, and professional development activities
• Support outreach and education efforts as assigned

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 an Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Forensics, Criminal Justice, Public Health, Human Services, or closely related field

and

• One (2) years of professional experience in victim services, crisis intervention, or social services

or

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

and

• One (3) years of professional experience in victim services, crisis intervention, or social services

or

• Five (5) years of professional experience in victim services, crisis intervention, or social services, including two (2) years in a coordination, case management, or program leadership capacity.

Other Requirements:

• 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

Salary: $55,000 / 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.