Domestic Violence Counselor-Coordinated Safety Response Program

“Being a victim of abuse while serving time was frightening, isolating, and filled with despair. Thanks to

RESPOND, I no longer felt alone; they stood by me every step of the way, offering support until my

release.”

RESPOND has been working to end domestic violence and homelessness for survivors in our

communities for 50 years. By joining our team as a Domestic Violence Counselor in the Coordinated

Safety Response Program, you will directly work with detained and incarcerated individuals in Suffolk

County House of Correction who have experienced domestic violence find safety and life free of abuse.

RESPOND’s three tenets focus on our life changing work, our diverse team, and our commitment to

learning.

The Domestic Violence Counselor’s Work:

Each day will be different as you will be working in a fast-paced, secured correctional facility. This

position will involve meeting with detained and incarcerated survivors, helping them create a plan for

safety upon release. Your day may include:

• Working with domestic violence survivors in a 1:1 setting providing crisis intervention,

counseling, and a plan for immediate and long-term safety

• Teaching a class on domestic violence basics, boundaries or healthy expression at the Suffolk

County House of Correction

• Communicating with caseworkers, substance treatment counselors, mental health clinicians,

and other departments as identified at Suffolk County House of Correction.

• Participating in weekly Suffolk House of Correction and RESPOND staff meetings, as scheduled
• Helping a teammate out! Support a colleague or program in need of an extra set of hands

The team you will be working with:

• Provide a wide variety of safety services to those experiencing all forms of domestic violence
• Suffolk House of Correction administration, case workers and community partners, collaborating

on a safety plan for survivors upon release

• Staffers who are committed to social services, social justice and the belief that housing and

safety are human and fundamental rights

What you will learn, model or teach:

• How various partners can work together to keep survivors safe and offenders accountable in the

communities served

• Trauma informed services are the cornerstone of RESPOND services. Program participants are

treated with dignity and respect.

• Extensive training—RESPOND will provide at least 25 hours of domestic violence related training

in the orientation period, and on-going training and continuous professional development

opportunities

• Upward mobility—if you are looking for a career and not just a job, you are in the right place!

Your Knowledge, Skills and Attributes:

• At least one year of case management, civilian advocacy or relevant experience working with

individuals and families.

• Ability to work in loud, high stress environments with people who have experienced domestic

violence

• Comfortable in law enforcement environments like police stations, correctional facilities and

courts

• Access to a personal vehicle, possession of a valid driver’s license, and a willingness to transport

program participants in RESPOND’s service area.

• Practice cultural sensitivity and ability to relate to persons of diverse backgrounds, such as the

LGBQ/T community and individuals with histories of substance abuse and/or mental health and

different ethnic and social backgrounds.

• Bachelor’s degree or High School Diploma/HiSET or GED with 4 years’ equivalent work

experience strongly preferred.

• Must have or be willing to obtain the 25-hr Domestic Violence Training Certification and CJIS.

RESPOND Compensation and Benefits include:

• Hourly pay of $23.00-$26.00
• Ample accrued paid time off: 3 weeks’ vacation, 2 personal days, 12 sick days and 12 holidays
• 401k match of up to 3%
• Excellent health and dental insurance that is 80% paid by employer.
• Opportunity to participate in MBTA Transit Perq Program
• No-cost 25k Life insurance policy.
• Pre-tax flexible spending and transportation accounts
• Additional vision, life, and illness policies available at cost to employees

Interested? Let us know why you want to join the team as a Domestic Violence Counselor by sending a

cover letter and resume to Desiree Headley at (hr at respondinc dot org) with the job title in the subject

line.

RESPOND, Inc. is committed to building a culturally diverse staff that represents the populations we

serve. RESPOND, Inc. celebrates diverse life experience and is proud to be an Equal

Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AA). Candidates who are bilingual/bicultural, of color,

Native/Indigenous, with disabilities, who identify as LGBTQIA+, or who are members of other

marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.