Title: Human Rights Advocate

State Role Title: 19212

Hiring Range: Up to $68,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central Office

Agency Website: www.dbhds.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services’ (DBHDS) Office of Human Rights is seeking a highly skilled professional accustomed to working with a high level of autonomy for advocacy to individuals being served in community programs in the Central Virginia region/Richmond area. This position provides direct services to implement a community based human rights system for individual’s receiving services licensed and funded by DBHDS. Duties include examining complaints and serious incidents; representing and supporting individuals and their families; supporting and training community providers; consulting and training individuals, family members and providers about the human rights system; identifying systemic human rights issues; monitoring compliance with the human rights regulations; reviewing provider policies for compliance; and taking necessary action to ensure the health and safety of individuals receiving services licensed and funded by the Department. Frequent travel in and around Central Virginia is required, with some travel statewide for training. Use of a private and secure home office is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Extensive experience working with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Substance Use disorders and/or Mental Illness; examining program compliance and service quality; monitoring and developing quality improvement activities; and experience in supervising and monitoring the works of others. Ability to prioritize and manage high volumes of case coordination to include conducting thorough investigations, analyze problems, and recommend solutions. Ability to establish effective working relationships with human service delivery system managers; design and deliver training programs; and maintain accurate records. Experience in human rights advocacy or a related occupation. Significant experience and knowledge in public and private human service delivery systems, DBHDS licensed services and Medicaid funded programs. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

DBHDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, parental status, pregnancy, military service/status, or other non-merit factor. We commit to a diverse and inclusive workforce that is reflective of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In addition, the Commonwealth of Virginia/DBHDS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, access to Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term (LTD) Disability benefits, twelve (12) paid holidays and other leave benefits, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.

Additional Considerations

N/A

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.

This position is eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

For consideration, interested applicants must apply by completing the online application. A resume may also be included with your submission. However, emailed, faxed, and hand-delivered applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. This position is open until filled; however, applications/resumes will begin to be reviewed within seven (7) business days of the date of this posting. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

DBHDS welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the U.S. For more information on how to seek this authorization, please refer to Working in the United States or contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office directly.

For any technical assistance with the jobs.virginia.gov website, please contact applicantinquiry@dhrm.virginia.gov.

Contact Information

Name: ShaKiera Miles

Phone: N/A

Email: shakiera.miles@dbhds.virginia.gov - Inquiries Only/No Submissions, to include resumes.

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.