Human Rights Advocate

Human Rights Advocate

Job no: 5107357

Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)

Location: Falls Church, Virginia

Categories: Health and Human Services

Title: Human Rights Advocate

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: Up to $68,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central Office

Agency Website:

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. This position works out of Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI), which is located at 3302 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042, in Northern 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 Northern VA or live close to NVMHI'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 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Substance Use disorders and/or Mental Illness.
• Demonstrated involvement with examining program compliance and service quality; monitoring and developing quality improvement activities and experience in supervising and monitoring the work of others.
• Practical knowledge and ability to prioritize and manage high volumes of case coordination to include conducting thorough investigations, analyzing problems, and recommending solutions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with human service delivery system managers; maintain accurate detailed records; and produce professional reports.
• Proficiency utilizing strong organizational and time management skills to meet critical deadlines.
• Understanding in human rights advocacy or a related occupation, i.e. conflict resolution, crisis intervention and case investigation.
• Significant experience and knowledge in public and private human service delivery systems, DBHDS licensed services and Medicaid funded programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work within the framework of DBHDS technology, including, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Word, Adobe, SharePoint, and Outlook.


Additional Considerations
• Experience in human services.
• Experience in providing advocacy or mediation services.
• Experience in conducting investigations.
• Experience with case documentation and report writing.
• Experience in supervising/monitoring the work of others.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

Contact Information

Name: ShaKiera Miles

Phone: N/A

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io - Inquiries Only/No Submissions, to include resumes.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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.

Advertised: 02 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 14 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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