Volunteer & Career Opportunities at ADV

ADV is a proud division under the Bergen County Department of Human Services that provides critical non-residential support services to Bergen County residents impacted by domestic violence and dating abuse. ADV envisions a Bergen County where all persons, families, and communities are able to access and thrive in safe, equitable, and autonomous relationships. For over 42 years ADV’s team of dedicated professionals have sought to partner with individuals and groups to prevent and eliminate domestic violence, dating abuse, and other forms of intimate partner violence, through comprehensive service approaches that strategically address the multifaceted causes and effects of abuse in diverse communities, such as prevention education, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, evidence-based counseling programs, and coordinated community responses to violence.

Our team of advocates, licensed clinicians, educators, legal professionals, administrative staff, and volunteers are all united in their shared passion and commitment towards eliminating domestic violence, elevating survivor voices, and advancing safety and justice for all victims of abuse. The County of Bergen is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We welcome all persons of all backgrounds who share the same commitment to antiviolence principles, personal integrity, and a dedicated readiness to challenge injustice and inequity working against survivors, advocates, and our larger communities.

Job & Internship Opportunities

ADV is currently looking to fill the following positions. To apply for a position, please fill out the permanent application form and follow all instructions in the listing.

Under direction, the Domestic Violence Response Team Coordinator, in partnership with all Bergen County Police Departments, coordinates, supports and maintains all current Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) in Bergen County. Work closely with all agency’s leaders and volunteers, to provide supervision, training support and guidance; does other related duties as required.

Responsibilities: (may include but not limited to)

  • Works in cooperation with other agencies within local communities to ensure ongoing communication and engagement; attend in person training and relationship building.
  • Recruit, screen, train and manage a team of volunteers for the Domestic Violence Response Team.
  • Develop and implement goals and objectives, ensure Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) program coverage, and program outcomes.
  • As part of the volunteer team management, provide the first line of response to all volunteers.
  • Assist with officer training as requested.
  • Provide ongoing training and support at quarterly volunteer meetings.
  • Maintain up to date volunteer response team contact information.
  • Recruit and screen volunteers for all Alternatives to Domestic Violence programs. Engage in volunteer appreciation activities.
  • Update volunteer recruitment materials and maintain material for training curriculum and volunteer procedures.
  • Complete statistical and narrative reports monthly and as needed.
  • Maintain data on volunteer callouts.
  • Attending and representing the agency at various meetings to recruit and screen volunteers for all programs. Engage in volunteer appreciation activities.
  • Prepares correspondence and reports.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Schedule:

  • Full-time. Mobile advocacy component included.
  • Availability for evening and weekend hours as necessary.

Education/Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Sociology, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, or Social Work.
  • At least two (2) years of experience in Human Services.

Other:

  • Bi-lingual – Spanish preferred.
  • Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
  • Ability to work well in a cooperative, team-oriented environment.
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
  • Valid NJ Drivers License.

Please send employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.

Under direction, of the Deput Director, the legal support specialist provides counseling, case management, legal support, and community education to assist victims of domestic violence, by evaluating client needs and facilitating immediate support; does other related duties as required.

Job Responsibilities (may include but not limited to):

  • Assists  and  counsels’ individuals/families in  solving  problems which  may  have  otherwise resulted in the filing  of  a  formal criminal complaint.
  • Through the use of counseling techniques, attempts to assist individuals/families to determine the cause of disagreement.
  • Attempts to assist individuals/families in arriving at a solution to their domestic and social behavioral problems.
  • Provide immediate support and referrals, collaborating with local shelters, legal services, and other support networks to address client needs.
  • Analyzes relationships of individuals and family members in the neighborhood to devise a solution to domestic and social behavioral problems.
  • Participates in group sessions where parties involved try to resolve problems through open, frank discussions.
  • Participates in regular meetings with the Legal Unit, Domestic Violence Intake Unit, and staff to coordinate efforts and share insights. Remains current on domestic violence law and procedures.
  • Assist in coordinating the panel of volunteer attorneys who represent eligible Bergen County victims of domestic violence in restraining order hearings.
  • Screen clients for the attorney stiped program based on established criteria.
  • Prepares reports containing background, findings, and recommendations.
  • Consults with court officials on cases referred to them.
  • Support legal preparations, conduct Court Prep sessions, and draft summaries of legal publications relevant to the agency’s focus areas.
  • Establishes and maintains working relationships with neighborhood organizations.
  • Establishes and maintains necessary files and records.

Schedule:

  • Full-time.

Education/Experience Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Sociology, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, or Social Work.
  • At least two (2) years of experience in Human Services.
  • Master’s degree preferred.

Other Requirements:

  • Bi-lingual – Spanish preferred.
  • Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.
  • Ability to work well in a cooperative, team-oriented environment.
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Please send employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Domestic Violence Response Team members work in coordination with municipal police departments throughout Bergen County. Volunteers assist victims of domestic violence by providing emotional support, information on domestic violence, and, referrals to social service agencies, emergency temporary safe house, legal resources and more. They can assist with filing the application for a temporary restraining order and help with safety planning.

The Hotline is a 24/7 support line with an option of an emergency after hour on-call service to victims, their families and others looking for support and information about domestic violence. In addition, it is the primary contact for the community in terms of ADV programs and staff. Volunteers covering Hotline provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local service providers. The ADV Hotline receives an average of 300 callers per month.

Victims have an option to be accompanied by a volunteer advocate to their Restraining Order hearings. Volunteer advocate provides emotional support, requested information, explains the process, and discusses expectations about what they may anticipate happening at the hearing.

Volunteers will have an opportunity to participate and offer their input in the organizational process of ADV’s community education program, organization events, and miscellaneous tasks to support our clients.

All direct service volunteers will be required to complete a 40-hour training course. After successfully completing the training course, volunteers will have an opportunity to work different shifts throughout the week including weekends and late/overnight hours. An overall commitment of a minimum of one year is expected.

Ready to Take the Next Steps?

To apply and proceed with the Volunteer Onboarding process, please complete the Volunteer Application Form online.

  • The ADV team will review your application and send an informational e-mail and/or set up an interview.
  • Once the interview is complete, the candidate will be sent a Bergen County Liability Waiver of Injury, Background Check Authorization Form, Bergen County Anti-Harassment and Substance Abuse in the Workplace Policy, Volunteer Confidentiality and Policy Agreement for their signature.
  • When the forms are completed and received, we will send authorization for a Background Check. This is a required step for the safety of our clients.
  • When a clear background check is returned, we will schedule the candidate for trainings.

We appreciate your desire and commitment!

Join the Movement to End Domestic and Sexual Violence Bergen County

Join Bergen County’s Coordinated Community Response Team

The Bergen County Coordinated Community Response to Domestic & Sexual Violence (CCR-DSV) is a community network of people and organizations in this County that coordinates and supports collaborative efforts to reduce domestic and sexual violence, dating abuse, and coercive control. We accomplish this through awareness, prevention, education, and advocacy.

The CCR recognizes violence as a critical community problem that poses significant threats to individuals, families, and the community. The CCR also recognizes that the power dynamics between the victim/survivor and perpetrator in domestic and sexual violence cases, when viewed through the lens of coercive control, calls for a specialized system of response.

Addressing the root causes of violence requires a broad perspective in our coordination, education and advocacy activities.

Objectives of the County CCR:

  • To center victim safety and victim-centered responses at the heart of antiviolence dialogues, interventions, and systemic change processes in the Bergen County community
  • To share information about our community’s response to violence in order to decrease the incidence of violence in our community
  • To plan, develop, implement, and monitor an integrated service model of effective intervention in violent situations; there will be a particular focus on the services model for domestic abuse and sexual assault
  • To monitor and seek to improve system performance in addressing violence in our community
  • To focus public attention on the problem of violence and to develop community resources to deter it
  • To propose and support legislation, ordinances, and other public policy protocols to further the organizational objectives

No one individual (or en tity) alone can end domestic violence which is why we are putting out a call to action for all of our community partners to join the Bergen County Coordinated Community Response Team. To add your agency or organization to the team, complete the following interest form below:

Open Interest Form

Contact Us

Marisa Heluk

Director

Division of Alternatives to Domestic Violence

One Bergen County Plaza  • 2nd Floor • Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Email: ADV@bergencountynj.gov
24-hour Crisis Hotline: 201-336-7575 • Fax: 201-336-7555

Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.