What are the responsibilities and job description for the Domestic Violence Specialist - Holyoke position at Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Executive Office of Health and Human Services?
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Domestic Violence Specialist for the Holyoke Office. Our ideal candidate will assist survivors of domestic violence to safely achieve economic mobility, and access appropriate DTA resources and community programs.
DTA attracts people passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Work within a culturally diverse team and agency and with a very diverse population of DTA clients.
- Provide safe, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant responses to survivors of domestic violence.
- Inform clients of all available DTA benefits and how to access them.
- Assist survivors in identifying their safety concerns and in developing their personalized safety plan.
- Work with survivors and their children to identify safe and appropriate resources and services including shelter and housing options.
- Provide technical assistance and training to DTA staff on domestic violence.
- Inform clients experiencing domestic violence about certain waivers for program requirements when complying with such requirements might place them or their children at risk.
- Establish positive and collaborative relationships with DTA, community organizations, and other state agencies.
- Some travel is required.
Required Qualifications:
- Knowledge of work simplification methods and methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs and tables.
- Ability to prepare general reports.
- Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies procedures governing assigned unit activities.
- Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
- Ability to gather information by examining records and documents and by interviewing individuals.
- Ability to assemble items of information in accordance with established procedures.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in logical sequence.
- Ability to follow and provide written and oral instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
- Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, capabilities of subordinates and available resources.
- Ability to establish rapport and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
- Ability to deal tactfully with others.
- Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergence or changing program requirements.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
- Knowledge of principals, practices, and techniques of supervision.
- Ability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Minimum of five years of advocacy, working with survivors of domestic violence.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally relevant care.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple changing priorities.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
- Strong safety assessment skills.
- Familiarity with local resources.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and build strong relationships.
- Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.
Agency Mission:
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts - including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.
Learn more about our services and programs visit:
Pre-Offer Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the
For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience. *
II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*
III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience. *
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.