Title: Veteran Justice Specialist

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist

Hiring Range: $50,000-55,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Veterans Services

Location: Blacksburg Office

Agency Website: www.dvs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Are you interested in helping Veterans and their families? Here at the Department of Veteran Services we provide services, resources, and support to Virginia Veterans.

The purpose of the Veteran Justice Specialist (VJS) position is to identify the behavioral health, rehabilitative, and other services needs of service members, veterans and/or their dependents/family members (SMVF), including veterans in the criminal justice system. The VJS role is a regional position and serves as the regional team contact for justice involved cases. The position requires extensive travel across the assigned VVFS region.

The VJS develops a coordinated services plan, connects the individual with appropriate service providers, offers care coordination support/assistance, and monitors for the successful resolution of the identified needs.

The VJS also ensures that adequate and timely needs assessment, treatment, and support are available to justice-involved veterans (JIVs) in multiple phases of the criminal justice system. The VJS provides outreach and supportive services to JIVs in diversion courts, jails, correctional facilities, and on probation and parole supervision in the service area. The VJS will provide direct services to JIVs which include, but are not limited to, needs assessment, service planning, care coordination, monitoring and support.

This position covers the entire VVFS West region from Amherst to Lee counties, which includes 33 counties and 12 cities. The West Region VJS position will require extensive travel (state vehicle provided) due to direct services support and outreach coverage throughout the West region. The West Region VJS will be required to attend veteran treatment dockets (currently one in Pulaski County), outreach and support to every local and regional jail (26 jails), state correctional facilities (11 facilities), and probation and parole districts (12 districts) in the West region. The VJS will provide outreach to justice partners at least once a month which includes visits to local jails monthly. The VJS also attends re-entry council meetings and other community meetings (in-person and virtual) throughout the region.

The VJS will report to the applicable VVFS Regional Director. The VJS duties are directed by the VVFS and JIS program SOP and under the guidance of the VVFS Housing and Criminal Justice Director.

Minimum Qualifications

- Knowledge and familiarity with the military services, culture and/or military experience.

- Knowledge and experience related to human services and/or behavioral healthcare field.

- Knowledge and experience in behavioral health and supportive services for veterans,
service members, dependents and caregivers.

- Knowledge of the criminal justice system and diversion strategies as it pertains to justice involved individuals

-Knowledge of re-entry barriers and initiatives for justice-involved individuals

- Knowledge of risks and needs of JIVs

- Knowledge of human rights, ethical and legal concerns related to providing care coordination Services.

- Knowledge of suicide interventions and mandatory reporting requirements.

- Ability to communicate (written and oral) clearly and effectively. Experience in public speaking and delivery of subject matter trainings related to SMVF population.

- Ability to engage SMVF population, develop professional relationships with a wide variety of agencies, and advocate for those individuals' receiving services.

- Excellent client service skills

- Excellent knowledge of computers and word processing skills

- Excellent organization and record keeping skills

- Ability to work independently and efficiently.

- Ability to work in a team model. Maintain effective inter/intra-agency working relationships.

Additional Considerations

Work experience in human services and/or behavioral healthcare field required. Related field or combination of education, training, or experience may substitute.

-Experience (in social work, psychology, human services, education, or an approved field) preferred. Related field or combination of education, training, or experience may substitute.

- Criminal justice-related work experience preferred. Military/veteran/family related life/work experience preferred. Military experience preferred (includes family members).

- Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record must be maintained throughout employment.

- Must complete all DVS agency and VVFS program training requirements within 6 months of hire

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDVS accepts submissions of on-line applications only. Faxed, mailed, or emailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:59 P.M. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which includes your specific qualifications for the position you are seeking.
The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic applications and/or resume. RMS provides a confirmation or receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application.
It is the policy of VDVS to provide equal opportunity for all applications and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, gender, identify or expression, disability, veterans' status or political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified person with disabilities.
Commonwealth of Virginia State agencies must provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring accommodations should direct inquiries to the human resource contact directly. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be reviewed and determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or resume.

Contact Information

Name: DVS HR Team

Phone: No Calls

Email: recruitment@dvs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.