Violence Prevention and Response Specialist

About the role

The University’s violence prevention and response unit, SafeCampus, has an outstanding opportunity for a Violence Prevention and Response Specialist to join their team.

Key Responsibilities

• SafeCampus Case Intake & Management (70%)
  • Respond to community members on the SafeCampus helpline during regular business hours (Monday–Friday 8am-5pm).
  • Clarify, assess and triage calls from members of the UW community with safety and wellbeing concerns.
  • Ensure that immediate/imminent threats of violence are properly identified and triaged.
  • Provide high-level, discrete support to callers.
  • Provide information, consultation, and seamless referrals to University and community resources including law enforcement, student life, human resources, victim advocacy, counseling services, etc.
  • Connect service requests with appropriate resources and ensure that appropriate follow-up occurs.
  • Exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying policies, protocols, rules, and regulations related to violence prevention and response.
  • Independently advise and communicate with employees, students, and members of the public regarding SafeCampus content, policies, procedures and activities.
  • Provide high-level, confidential support to colleagues within SafeCampus, and the Violence Prevention Assessment Team (VPAT).
  • Follow up with partners as needed to verify implementation of risk mitigation plans and to monitor situations over time.
  • Reconvene the assessment team if needed.
  • Maintain accurate records of SafeCampus consultations including initial reports, action steps, and follow-up information.
• Collaboration with UW Partners (20%)
  • Establish, cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with UW partner units and organizations on all three campuses, all medical centers and research facilities.
  • Build relationships and collaborate with other UW and community programs to support university-wide violence prevention and wellness efforts.
  • Represent SafeCampus on UW committees and in other forums, occasionally on weekends or evenings.
• Prevention, Training and Program Support (10%)
  • Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, public administration/health, gender women & sexuality studies, psychology, or related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of related experience including responsibilities that demonstrate:
• Knowledge and understanding of violence prevention & intervention and a strong theoretical and practical understanding of power-based violence (sexual assault/relationship violence/stalking).
• Demonstrated ability to respond with empathy and support to individuals from diverse identities, cultures, and backgrounds who are experiencing crisis or in heightened emotional states.
• Trauma-informed approach to working with people impacted by violence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with campus and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a part of a team with individuals from diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize, multi-task, and be well organized with thorough attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Comfort with public speaking and experience delivering presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the field of behavioral threat assessment & management (BTAM) including knowledge of threat assessment concepts, models, and structured professional judgment tools (i.e., WAVR-21).
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) team.
• Primary prevention or response experience in the areas of sexual assault or relationship violence preferred, including experience in triaging concerns related to actual or potential violence.
• Experience working on a crisis hotline, specific to calls about violence or suicide.
• Experience working in higher education with all university populations.