Director of Counseling and Hotline Services

Title:  Director of Counseling and Hotline Services (FT) 

Department: Domestic Violence Services 

Reports to:  Senior Director of DV Services  

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Salary: $80,000 

About Us: 

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County.  Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence.  In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children.   

Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.).  In addition to our incredible mission and culture, we offer our employees a work-life balance, 401K (with employer matching), and core benefits (medical/dental/vision) for full-time employees with a generous employer contribution towards premiums. 

About the Role: 

The Director of Counseling and Hotline Services will be responsible for leading both the hotline and Counseling Programs. The Director will support, train and oversee the Counseling department which will provide individual and group therapy to adult victims of domestic and sexual violence participating in Artemis House programs along with children in community-based housing program who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence.   

In addition to the counseling department, the Director will provide support and oversight to the hotline program which determines eligibility for shelter entry. Individuals in Artemis House programs are fleeing life-threatening domestic and/or sexual violence or human trafficking and have often experienced significant trauma. The staff for the hotline program are responsible for conducting thorough, and trauma informed assessments to determine entry into shelter.  

Both teams under the Director utilize a strengths-based framework that is grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma and emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety. 

How you will contribute: 

Duties and Responsibilities:   

• Ensure services provided to households served embody an approach that is trauma informed, and culturally relative for adult victims of domestic and sexual violence 

• Provide oversight, guidance and training on best practices and program processes and procedures 

• Remain knowledgeable of best practices related to domestic violence, relationship dynamics and trauma responses in relation to domestic violence 

• Build and maintain partnerships with other community-based programs 

• Develop and manage systems to ensure records (hotline and counseling) are maintained in accordance with company policy and any pertinent state or federal regulations. 

• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with Shelter House Inc. Employees, deployed staff, and involved agencies to ensure clients receive needed services in a timely manner 

• Represent both the hotline and the counseling program to the County and other partners. 

• Exemplify Shelter House core values; collaboration, accountability, respect and empowerment 

• Proficiently utilize Microsoft applications (email, teams, SharePoint etc.) as part of day-to-day work requirements 

• Other duties as assigned and necessary for optimal program operations 

 Counseling Program: 

• Provide clinically focused supervision and support to one Counseling Program Manager. 

• Coordinate care and provide consultation to AH Case Management team and AH Management to provide insight and direction on approaches that may be most effective to engage the client in developing and formatting an appropriate housing plan 

• Support team in making appropriate referrals to long-term mental health services and other community services members, as needed 

• Maintain licensure status and credentials as requires by the licensing or accreting body that permits the provision of independent clinical services 

Hotline Program: 

• Provide high level oversight to the hotline program and work closely with the Director of Data Analytics and Insights to ensure data is tracked and reported to funders and internally. 

• Ensure calls are consistently answered with empathy and in accordance with best practices and agency policies 

• Ensure hotline staff are thoroughly trained and supported with ongoing feedback, education, and information about standards, updated DV services best practices, and 

• Provide regular supervision to one Hotline Program Manager 

• In collaboration with the Hotline Program Manager, incorporate ongoing assessment and review of the hotline calls and processes 

• Review and assess calls to ensure they are being handled using best practices and meeting criteria 

• Provide backup support to the hotline if needed 

• Collaborate and relationship build with community partners 

Requirements

Qualifications: 

Required: 

1. Ability to maintain professional ethics and client confidentiality 

2. Strong written and oral communication skills 

3. Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgements 

4. Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions 

5. Strong organizational and time management skills 

6. Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation 

7. Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed 

Preferred: 

1. Licensed in Virginia as an LCSW, LCP, or LMFT and able to provide clinical supervision; must carry own insurance 

2. Experience working with individuals and families, including experience using various modalities of therapeutic intervention proven to be of value in working with adults. 

3. Experience working with clients who have suffered trauma. Preferred would be experience working with victims of domestic violence. 

4. Experience working with diverse populations. 

Physical Requirements: 

1. Annual TB Test is required 

2. Ability to sit or stand for long periods 

3. Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds 

ADA Statement:  Shelter House will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 

Equal Opportunity Employer