DVAN (formerly the Kent County Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response
Team – “DVCCRT”) is looking to hire its first Director. The Director operates as the
backbone organization in DVAN’s collective impact approach to enhancing Kent
County’s approach to domestic violence in our community. We are looking for someone
with entrepreneurial skills who is willing to build something from the ground up. In this
role, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with people and groups that
have never worked together before and support our community’s innovative approach to
reducing domestic violence. DVAN is looking for someone with a leadership style that is
committed to equity and inclusion, someone who is willing to jump into something
without a road map, and someone that can thrive in ambiguity.
A full job description can be found below.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to info@stopkentviolence.org with a subject line of DVAN Director. Submission are due Wednesday, August 16. We anticipate starting interviews on Friday, August 25, 2023
Context & Organizational Overview
In December of 2022, the Kent County Board of Commissioners approved the allocation
of $4 million to support the creation of the Domestic Violence Action Network (DVAN) as
part of an effort to transform the way Kent County responds to domestic violence,
creating greater safety for victims/survivors and increased accountability for
perpetrators/offenders. After receiving funding, DVAN began work with an attorney to
develop an Operating Agreement to establish a governance structure, financial
responsibilities and regulations, and provide structure for the Steering Committee.
DVAN has also hired Noele Stith and Deanna Rolffs of Design Group International to
lead the group through the initial Collective Impact process through at least December
2023.
DVAN launched its first official planning session in July 2023, and is eager to hire a
Director to assist in the continued process of developing a shared agenda and
workgroups.
Position Overview
DVAN (formerly the Kent County Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response
Team – “DVCCRT”) will utilize a robust, data-driven, trauma-informed and collective
impact approach to address domestic violence as a public health crisis and drive
inclusive and integrated solutions across Kent County. The DVAN Director is a full-time,
exempt position. This position offers a flexible work environment between office and
community locations. Using a collective impact model, the DVAN Director will serve as
the backbone entity and uphold the key principles of this approach:
- A common agenda developed and driven by all community stakeholders
- Shared measurements
- Mutually reinforcing activities
- Continuous communication
- A backbone team.
Funding for the role is supported by Kent County ARPA funding that continues through
December 31, 2026. The goal of DVAN is to secure additional funding to continue
successful work of the group
Reporting Relationships
The Steering Committee, whose governance is established through an Operating
Agreement, functions as the supervisory body for the Project Manager. Key partners
with representation on the Steering Committee include YWCA West Central Michigan,
Safe Haven Ministries, Puertas Abiertas, Kent County Prosecutor’s Office, Grand
Rapids Police Department, Men’s Resource Center, 61st District Court, and a Survivor
Leader.
Safe Haven Ministries operates as the fiduciary of DVAN.
Responsibilities
● Provide visionary, adaptive leadership, modeling the DVAN’s values and
commitment to a collective impact approach
● Develop systems to share organizational decisions and invitations to the shared
agenda with the Steering Committee, full membership of DVAN and the larger
community
● Provide support and when needed, direction to partner organizations and work
group members to align their work with the shared agenda
● Build the backbone’s identity as a respected, neutral convenerer among a multi-
sector spectrum of Kent County stakeholders
● Cultivate excellent relationships and collaborative approaches with organizational
partners and community members
● Ensure effective facilitation of all work groups, providing administrative support
and regular reporting across all work groups
● Help to identify, build relationships and recruit participation in the shared agenda
work, with a particular focus on systems and people that have historically not
been centered in work to decrease domestic violence in our community
● Develop DVAN budget and in close collaboration with Safe Haven’s Accounting
Manager, oversee financial reporting and ensure timely submission of financial
reports to funders and Steering Committee
● Identify potential funding sources to support DVAN’s goals and priorities, with a
particular focus on continued funding post-ARPA funding (current funding ends
December 2026)
● Communicate the vision and objective of DVAN to the community and potential
partners; update and maintain shared communication mediums for DVAN and
the Steering Committee (i.e. Google Drive, DropBox, website, social media)
● Complete required grant reporting and engage in funding solicitation and grant
writing to further the goals and priorities of DVAN
● Develop and maintain relationships with potential funders and participate in
relevant networks to work towards a diversification of funding for DVAN
● Acting as a neutral arbiter, help resolve disputes and disagreements in direction
among work groups and Steering Committee
Qualifications
● Experience and understanding of collective impact model and/or coalition/task
force leadership
● Demonstrated success leading and working within multi-sector teams around
systems change and improvement
● Committed to leadership rooted in equity and inclusion
● Familiarity with local area resources and stakeholders and/or domestic violence
preferred
● Ability to build authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders
● Ability to travel across the Kent County
Compensation
In addition to a salary range of $70,000 – $75,000, the benefits package includes:
● Medical insurance
● Health Savings Account or Flexible Savings Account with $600 employee match
● Dental insurance
● Vision insurance
● PTO of 4 weeks, with an increase to 6 weeks after 2 years of service
● 2% of annual salary contribution to a Simple IRA plan
● Holiday observance of 11 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday
● Enrollment in Pine Rest’s Employee Assistant Program at no cost to you
● Cell phone allowance
Application Instructions
Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to
info@stopkentviolence.org with a subject line of DVAN Director. Please submit your
application by Wednesday, August 16. The DVAN Steering Committee anticipate
starting interviews on Friday, August 25, 2023
