Human Rights Advocate

• 5111127

• Staunton, Virginia, United States

• Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

• Health and Human Services

• Full-Time (Salaried)

• Closing at: Sep 8 2026 - 23:55 EDT

• Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Title: Human Rights Advocate

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $60,000-$70,000

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) is seeking a highly skilled professional accustomed to working with a high level of autonomy to provide direct advocacy and regulatory technical assistance to individuals being served in DBHDS-operated hospitals, with a primary focus on Western State Hospital and the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents, located in Staunton, VA. This position provides direct services to implement a facility-based human rights system for individuals and their families. Duties include examining human rights complaints, instances of seclusion/restraint and serious incidents; representing and supporting individuals and their families; supporting , consulting and training facility staff about the human rights system; identifying and working to correct and mitigate systemic human rights issues; monitoring compliance with the human rights regulations; reviewing facility policies for compliance; providing orientation, training, and technical assistance to human rights committees and taking necessary action to ensure the health and safety of individuals receiving services operated by DBHDS. To meet the duties and demands of the position, it’s recommended that the candidate reside in Staunton or live close to WSH/CCCA’s proximity. A valid, unrestricted driver’s license and an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Driver Safety Program are required due to some travel statewide for training. A drug screen and background check is required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with individuals with Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders and some experience with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Demonstrated involvement with examining program compliance and service quality; collecting and analyzing data and supervising and monitoring the work of others.
• Practical knowledge and ability to conduct thorough investigations, analyze problems, recommend solutions as well as monitor and develop quality improvement activities.
• Aptitude in establishing effective working relationships; maintaining accurate record keeping systems and producing professional reports; utilizing strong organizational and time management skills to meet critical deadlines.
• Significant experience and knowledge interpreting state laws or regulations and working within public human service delivery systems. Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Understanding in human rights advocacy or a related occupation, i.e. conflict resolution, crisis intervention and case investigation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work within the framework of DBHDS technology.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in human services.
• Experience in providing advocacy or mediation services.
• Experience in conducting investigations.
• Experience with case documentation and report writing.

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.

For consideration, interested applicants must apply by completing the online application and/or submit a resume. However, emailed, faxed, and hand-delivered applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m., on the listed closing date. 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 [email protected].

Contact Information

Name: ShaKiera Miles

Phone: N/A

Email: [email protected]

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.