[Hiring] DV Hotline Specialist @Shelter House

Role Description

The Domestic Violence (DV) Hotline Specialist is an essential remote position covering the 24-hour domestic and sexual violence hotline for Fairfax County, through Shelter House. The Hotline Specialist will:

• Answer the crisis line and assess callers for shelter entry eligibility.
• Provide resources, information, and safety planning, regardless of shelter entry.
• Listen empathetically and assess imminent danger of lethality due to domestic violence.
• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, advocacy, support, and safety planning.
• Work in collaboration with community resources and referrals.
• Coordinate with shelter staff and management to ensure a smooth transition for callers from the community to the shelter.

All Part-Time Hotline Specialists will receive an hourly pay of $20.00-$22.00 an hour and are required to cover at least 2 shifts a weekend, including weekend days, evenings, and overnights, including holiday coverage.

All On-Call Hotline Specialists will receive an hourly pay of $20.00-$22.00 an hour and are required to cover at least 4-6 shifts a month, which will usually include days, evenings, weekends, overnight, and holiday coverage.

How you will contribute:

• Conduct crisis screenings over the phone with those seeking shelter entry into Fairfax County’s shelter for those fleeing domestic violence or callers seeking DV/SV/Human trafficking/Stalking resources.
• Provide emotional support through supportive listening, trauma-informed crisis intervention, advocacy, and safety planning.
• Provide problem solving, safety planning, education, and advocacy to callers as appropriate.
• Provide appropriate community referrals and work collaboratively with other community agencies.
• Have a quiet workspace with reliable Wi-Fi connection to conduct calls professionally and privately.
• Answer every call that comes to the hotline during shift.
• Promptly document all calls in required systems, maintain strict confidentiality, and ensure all required information is gathered and recorded.
• Ability to navigate and utilize digital platforms for tracking/storing information.
• Submit all completed and required documentation no later than the end of a shift.
• Adhere to all agency and department policies and procedures.
• Remain knowledgeable of best practices related to DV/SV/Human Trafficking/Stalking.
• Attend virtual supervision and staff meetings, ongoing training, and quarterly meetings.
• Communicate regularly with Hotline Program Manager to report the start of your shift and any challenges experienced.
• Maintain regular communication with supervisor to seek support during shifts.
• Consistently show up to shifts on time and communicate in advance if unable to cover any agreed-upon shift.
• Ensure compliance with all agency policies.
• Exemplify the Shelter House core values: Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment.
• The FT Hotline Specialists can expect to have additional administrative duties during periods of downtime.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be a resident of NOVA (Northern Virginia).
• Reliable and stable internet connection.
• Quiet workspace.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, or related field or combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years' experience working with victims of DV/SV or Human Trafficking.
• Knowledge in counseling techniques and experience in trauma-informed domestic and sexual violence.
• Clear written communication.
• Active listening skills.
• Computer skills – including Word, Excel, email, and the internet.
• Ability to maintain professional ethics and client confidentiality.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgments.
• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Preferred

• Experience working with clients who have suffered trauma, preferably in domestic violence and/or child abuse.
• Experience in a call center handling crisis situations.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, especially as it relates to individuals experiencing domestic violence.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Physical Requirements

• Annual TB Test is required.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance.
• 401K contributions with a 4% employer match.
• 11 Paid Holidays, a Floating Holiday, and the opportunity to take your Birthday Off.
• Two Semi-Annual Team Building Events.