Air Force Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) - Barksdale AFB

This position is located at Barksdale AFB. IVA’AL Solutions, LLC provides support to the Air Force (AF) Family Advocacy Program (FAP) and is responsible for staffing qualified personnel at U.S. AF Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) across the country. The AF FAP is a Department of Defense (DoD) funded program whose purpose is to both prevent and respond to intimate partner abuse, child abuse, and problematic sexual behavior with children and youth.

About the role

The Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (DAVA) provides non-clinical emergent and urgent services to AF personnel, their family members, or intimate partners who are victims of intimate partner abuse. With the exception of mandatory state, federal, and military reporting requirements (e.g., domestic violence, child abuse, and duty to warn situations), the DAVA provides private and confidential services to encourage victims in seeking assistance.

Responsibilities

• Provides 24/7 response to victims alleging abuse (services provided based on client needs via telephone or in-person).
• Establish a Victim’s Safety Plan on a case-by-case basis; review the Safety Plan during each victim contact.
• Conduct initial and ongoing risk assessments. If imminent risk of serious harm or death is established, notify the social work supervisor, law enforcement, and Command. If children are involved, ensure their physical safety and emotional well-being; refer involved children to the social worker for follow-on care.
• Immediately report any changes in the victim’s circumstances that impact the safety plan to the supervisor and/or social worker or mental health provider.
• Advise victims of military or civil actions available to promote safety (e.g., military order of protection, restraining order, and injunction).
• Offer victims information regarding their identified needs (e.g., emergency shelter, housing, childcare, legal services, clinical resources, medical services, transitional compensation).
• Accompany clients to appointments or court proceedings when requested.
• Provide transportation to victims for important appointments (e.g., medical, court, protective actions) after consultation with the social work supervisor and when no other reasonable means exist. The DAVA cannot transport minor children unless accompanied by the parent or legal guardian and has the appropriate safety restraints in the vehicle.
• Establish a contact file for each victim served, maintaining minimal information about the allegations or nature of the incident, victim’s name and contact information, and a log of contacts or services provided.
• Develop a process to keep the social work supervisor and designated POC informed of the DAVA’s location and timelines when providing victim services, including location, arrival, and departure notifications.
• Continually evaluate the quality of the installation’s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve system response to victims.
• Empower victims to be involved in plans or decisions about the safety of self and children.
• Collaborate and establish protocols with Security Forces Squadron (SFS), Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and Military Medical Treatment Facilities.
• At the discretion of the Social Work Supervisor, provide emotional support and information and referral services to the non-offending caregiver in a child maltreatment or youth sexual assault case.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited University in Social Work; Psychology; Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling; Counseling or Behavioral Science; Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• 2 years of experience assisting and providing advocacy services to victims of domestic violence/abuse or sexual assault.
• Must obtain the Basic Advocate Credential with designation of Comprehensive Intervention Specialist as approved and offered by the National Advocate Credentialing Program, overseen by the National Organization for Victims Assistance.
• Must pass a criminal history/Security Clearance background check.
• Must have transportation and a valid driver’s license.

Health Requirements

• Current certification in either the American Heart Association Basic Life Support Course (BLS) (Course C) or the American Red Cross Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/BLS (Heart Saver) Course.
• Proof of immunization from the following diseases according to CDC guidelines: Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and influenza.
• Proof of a negative TB skin test (completed within the past 12 months; if positive, proof of negative chest X-ray within the past 12 months) prior to start of work.

Skills

• Computer-proficient to work autonomously using Microsoft Office and possess data entry skills needed to create and maintain client files.
• Utilize Family Advocacy Program Network computer software to document client visits and safety plans in compliance with AF FAP policies and accepted professional practice guidelines.

Work Environment

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Travel may be required as needed and is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected and will comply with Joint Travel Regulation (JTR).

Schedule

This is a full-time position. General hours of work are 7:30 AM–4:30 PM when the AF Clinic is open; however, the DAVA is required to remain on call after normal duty hours if/when a victim of family maltreatment/intimate partner sexual assault is in need of assistance. After normal duty hours, if requested, the DAVA is required to respond telephonically or in-person (with AF Social Work Leadership permission) to the hospital or law enforcement agency. Hours worked after normal duty hours will be accounted for in the form of "flexing hours" or "overtime" pay in accordance with government policy and labor laws.

Pay

$34.37 hourly wage.