Violence Prevention and Response Specialist

Job Description

The University’s violence prevention and response unit, SafeCampus, has an outstanding opportunity for a Violence Prevention and Response Specialist to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Violence Prevention and Response Specialist

The University’s SafeCampus unit seeks a Violence Prevention and Response Specialist to support community members experiencing safety concerns, including harassment, threats, escalating conflicts, suicide concerns, and gender-based violence.

Reporting to the Director of SafeCampus, the VPR Specialist provides trauma-informed case intake, safety planning, behavioral threat assessment and management, and referrals to appropriate resources. The position serves as the primary responder to the SafeCampus helpline during business hours, assisting callers in varying levels of distress and identifying appropriate actions to mitigate risk and promote safety.

The VPR Specialist conducts all stages of behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM), including gathering information, analyzing relevant digital and public records, participating in multidisciplinary threat assessment meetings with campus partners, and ongoing monitoring of concerning situations. The role requires sound judgment, discretion, subject matter expertise, and a strong understanding of the UW community and culture.

The VPR Specialist also supports violence prevention and education efforts through presentations, University committees, reporting, communications, and collaboration with campus partners. Success in this role requires a compassionate, trauma-informed approach and the ability to tailor safety planning and interventions to individual needs.

Option for hybrid in-person/remote work schedule, subject to leadership approval.

Key Responsibilities

SafeCampus Case Intake & Management (70%)

• Respond to community members on the SafeCampus helpline during regular business hours (Monday–Friday 8am-5pm). Clarify, assess and triage calls from members of the UW community with safety and wellbeing concerns. Ensure that immediate/imminent threats of violence are properly identified and triaged. Provide high-level, discrete support to callers.

• Provide information, consultation, and seamless referrals to University and community resources including law enforcement, student life, human resources, victim advocacy, counseling services, etc. Connect service requests with appropriate resources and ensure that appropriate follow-up occurs. 

• Exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying policies, protocols, rules, and regulations related to violence prevention and response. Independently advise and communicate with employees, students, and members of the public regarding SafeCampus content, policies, procedures and activities.

• Provide high-level, confidential support to colleagues within SafeCampus, and the Violence Prevention Assessment Team (VPAT). Follow up with partners as needed to verify implementation of risk mitigation plans and to monitor situations over time. Reconvene the assessment team if needed.

• Administrative support for VPAT meetings: assistance with scheduling, organization of case summaries, and documentation of VPAT Action Plans.

• On a case-by-case basic, perform digital forensic assessments (DFA) of open-source intelligence (OSINT) found in court databases, social media sites, and other relevant digital spaces.

• Maintain accurate records of SafeCampus consultations including initial reports, action steps, and follow-up information.

Collaboration with UW Partners (20%)

• Establish, cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with UW partner units and organizations on all three campuses, all medical centers and research facilities.

• Build relationships and collaborate with other UW and community programs to support university-wide violence prevention and wellness efforts.

• Represent SafeCampus on UW committees and in other forums, occasionally on weekends or evenings.

Prevention, Training and Program Support (10%)

Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

·Bachelor’s Degree in social work, public administration/health, gender women & sexuality studies, psychology, or related field. 

·A minimum of 3 years of related experience including responsibilities that demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of violence prevention & intervention and a strong theoretical and practical understanding of power-based violence (sexual assault/relationship violence/stalking).

• Demonstrated ability to respond with empathy and support to individuals from diverse identities, cultures, and backgrounds who are experiencing crisis or in heightened emotional states.

• Trauma-informed approach to working with people impacted by violence.

• Ability to work collaboratively with campus and community partners.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a part of a team with individuals from diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.   

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize, multi-task, and be well organized with thorough attention to detail.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Comfort with public speaking and experience delivering presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

·Experience in the field of behavioral threat assessment & management (BTAM) including knowledge of threat assessment concepts, models, and structured professional judgment tools (i.e., WAVR-21).

·Experience working on a multi-disciplinary behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) team.

·Primary prevention or response experience in the areas of sexual assault or relationship violence preferred, including experience in triaging concerns related to actual or potential violence.

·Experience working on a crisis hotline, specific to calls about violence or suicide.

·Experience working in higher education with all university populations.

Working Conditions

Working conditions require adaptability and ability to work under pressure, with inflexible deadlines and requirements to see assignments through beyond established business hours.

About the Team

The Division of Campus Community Safety (DCCS) unifies front-line public safety units across the University for a holistic approach to campus community safety, innovation in approaches, and clarity in leadership responsibility and accountability. Key units include UW Emergency Management, SafeCampus and the UW Police Department Seattle campus. Division staff work daily in partnership with units across and outside the UW system to both create safer, welcoming campus environments; prepare for potential natural or human-made disasters; and respond appropriately to incidents.

SafeCampus’s mission is to foster a safe and supportive UW community. As the UW’s behavioral threat assessment and management unit, SafeCampus provides centralized intake for safety and wellbeing concerns across all UW campuses, medical centers, and anywhere else the UW does business or provides study opportunities. We strive to help faculty, staff and students prevent violence and be prepared to respond when it occurs by providing direct support to individuals, managing the threat assessment process, and connecting individuals with support resources.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$75,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$82,356.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.