Victim Advocate (Social Services Specialist II)

Salary : $64,190.88 - $106,984.59 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ27), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 25-00430
Department: Family Services
Opening Date: 02/22/2025
Closing Date: 3/7/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S23
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement
This position includes a signing bonus of $2,500 (full-time) for new county hires.

This is an exciting time to join Fairfax County Government as we shape racial and social equity policies in the county through the One Fairfax Policy. Using this framework, we intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services. To learn more, we highly encourage you to watch the Becoming One Fairfax-An Introduction to Key Concepts video by clicking and visit the One Fairfax webpage . In alignment with One Fairfax, DFS is committed to strengthening the well-being of its diverse community. To learn more about DFS and its Mission, Vision, and Values, please click . As a member of the Division of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) Advocacy Services Program, provides short-term case management, and in-person and telephone-based crisis intervention to survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking in need of support. Duties include:

• Provides culturally sensitive and survivor-centered education on the rights of survivors, the different forms of intimate partner abuse, the cycles of violence, and stages of behavioral change, etc.
• Conducts safety planning by helping to brainstorm safety strategies, key contacts, and resources for potential emergency situations
• Supports survivors in navigating through complex legal processes by explaining their rights and resources available to them
• Refers them to relevant pro-bono or low-cost legal resources; and may accompany them to court to provide moral support during hearings
• Provides coverage for 24-hour crisis hotlines and after hours on-call support on a rotational basis and will participate in events held in the evenings and on weekends, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including listening and communication abilities
• Knowledge and experience of intimate partner violence issues, trends, and interventions including policy and interventions related to domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking
• Have case management experience
• An ability to organize information, manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines, and efficiently and succinctly document services provided
• Possess the ability to demonstrate understanding and acceptance of diversity
• Possess the ability to make sound judgements

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus two years of professional social work experience. A master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background, a driving record check, and a Child Protective Services check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Responsible for providing coverage for 24-hour crises lines as well as responding to requests for hospital accompaniment, on a rotational basis. Schedule includes some evening and weekend hours to meet program needs.

This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) or other related field, experience working with victims of domestic and sexual violence, and children exposed to domestic violence.
• One year of professional experience as a victim advocate.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include effective presentation and group facilitation skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use automated technology to access, input, retrieve, and process information.
• Must be able to transport self to different worksites or locations, as needed. May be required to lift up to 15 lbs.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home () and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-RS1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Commuter Benefit Program
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Flexible Spending Program
• Deferred Compensation

Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Psychology
• Social work
• Education
• Counseling
• Public administration
• Human services
• Other (related)
• Other (non-related)
• None of the above

03

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your completed majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable."
04

How many years of full-time equivalent professional social work experience do you have? Note: "social work" is defined as an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being.

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

05

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

How many years of full-time equivalent professional experience do you have as a victim advocate?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court system?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

08

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have directly working with victims of interpersonal violence?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

09

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working with a diverse multicultural population?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

10

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have directly working with victims of sexual assault?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

11

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working with families that have minor children who have been impacted by exposure to interpersonal violence?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

12

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working with victims of stalking?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

13

How many years of full-time equivalent experience do you have working with victims of human trafficking?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

Required Question