Job Specification Details

Consultative, administrative, planning and coordinating work at a professional level for the Department for Children & Families, Family Services Division, involving a multipronged approach to staff safety in daily practice: Minimize Risk (prevention), Mitigate Harm (threat assistance), and Maximize Recovery (trauma intervention and business process support). Duties involve systems work to coordinate prevention, planning and response to critical incidents with other agencies; as well as internal consultation and support to division employees before, during, and after a critical incident to ensure exploration of safety processes at all stages of risk. Duties are performed with significant independence under the direction of the Senior Policy and Operations Manager. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results oriented.

The position is responsible for responding to individual concerns and threats directed at FSD employees while also being responsible for providing leadership, expertise and guidance on this issue to the division as well as the broader Department and within the Agency.

In addition to threat assessment and threat management and the more reactive processes, the position provides preventative and anticipatory care in the way of direction, guidance and consultation in regard to high and very high risk cases that contain elements which may impact district staff safety such as gang affiliation, drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons involvement, history of significant violence etc.. This kind of direction, thinking and practice is becoming more and more common place and has not been captured as a data set but is proving to shift the safety culture of the division as a whole at every level.

Coordinate and track an assessment of threat level for all threats received by the Division. Develop and coordinate a response in concert with all participating parties in the district office (including the Policy and Operations Managers in Central Office, District Director, supervisors and social worker). Act as a liaison with Department of Corrections and other law enforcement agencies to coordinate response and ensure that all agencies are fully aware of the concern and responding appropriately. Assist affected staff and supervisors to address individual incidents, including development of Personal Protection Plans and implementation of building-level responses. Support and coach supervisors and managers to develop skills in appropriately recognizing and responding to threats and provide trauma-informed support to staff. Develop and deliver training curriculum related to staff safety in partnership with District and Central Office and the Child Welfare Training Partnership. Research and collaborate with other state child protection systems and law enforcement to identify best practices in staff safety and implement recommended changes in policies and practices. Develop Memorandums of Understanding with the Vermont Intelligence Center and other law enforcement around the state to facilitate information sharing. Support strong working relationships between District Office staff and law enforcement partners around the state. Pilot innovative technology related to staff safety and make recommendations about possible applications in the field. The Staff Safety position manages the statewide SafeSignal contract as well as day to day monitoring and usage, and initial training of the technology for all DCF social workers as well as other AHS users. As the manager of this contract the Staff Safety position will be contacted at any time there is a duress signal, either during business hours or afterhours and will be expected to coordinate the response for the emergency, notifying FSD leadership and coordinating with law enforcement.

Participate in state-level staff safety related workgroups including the AHS Staff Safety Workgroup. Coordinate with BGS staff to ensure that FSD staff safety incidents are considered and planned for in individual district level Emergency Action Plans.

Duties are performed primarily in office settings although field travel will be necessary for which private means of transportation must be available. Although duties normally occur within a regular weekday schedule, there are times that work occurs on evenings or weekends. Some pressure from deadlines may be experienced. Direct contact with individuals posing threats may be required and creates potential danger for physical assault and injury.

Advanced knowledge of best practices in risk prevention and intervention to maintain safety in a social services setting.

Advanced knowledge of threat assessment protocols to determine level of risk.

Considerable knowledge of best practices in law enforcement responses to child abuse and other violence.

Advanced knowledge of family dynamics and the impact of substance abuse and mental health issues on family functioning.

Considerable knowledge of federal and state statutes and policies pertaining to family services and child protection.

Considerable knowledge of the impact of trauma on individuals and groups and the principles of trauma-informed services.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of social services casework.

Working knowledge of other service disciplines which typically interact with social service programs and clients.

Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of settings, as required in the class role.

Ability to effectively prioritize competing, time-sensitive demands.

Ability to establish, improve and maintain good working relationships with a variety of stakeholders and partners.

Ability to provide leadership and accountability within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Six (6) years or more of work experience of direct service in a child protection setting.

OR

Six (6) years or more of work experience in a safety, security, or protection field.

Bachelor's degree or higher in Social Work or Criminal Justice

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.