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Staff Spotlight
This newsletter's Staff Spotlight features Kimberly Hill, DCJS State Trafficking Services Specialist.
1. Share a little about your educational and professional background:
I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science, with a concentration in Community Health Education. I also minored in African American Studies and Sociology.
During undergrad, I completed an internship with a local sexual and domestic violence agency (SDVA), which was a catalyst for my career of working in victim services. Shortly after graduation, I worked in hospitality, mental health, and in women’s health. I also worked in the criminal justice field as a local Pretrial/Probation Officer before returning to victim services and working at multiple levels within a human trafficking residential program.
I am currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at Walden University, where my focus is on trauma, specifically complex trauma. I believe that having a deep understanding of the psychology of trauma is essential for working in the victim services field.
2. What is your role at DCJS?
State Trafficking Services Specialist
3. Why were you interested in working for Victims Services at DCJS?
I began working with the human trafficking residential program shortly after it was opened. I assisted with the completion and modification of protocols and procedures. After program evaluations were completed, changes were made to ensure we were operating under best practices. After spending a majority of my career working at the micro level, I wanted to have more of an impact on the work that is done at the macro level and work on providing technical assistance, training, and supporting human trafficking service providers to operate under best practices.
4. What do you enjoy most about your work with DCJS?
I enjoy the healthy work-life balance. After working in a program that was staffed 24/7, I found that it was harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance due to the demands of the job.
5. What has been your proudest accomplishment at DCJS?
I have not been here long enough. I am still learning the ropes. Ask me again in 6 months.
6. Prior to working at DCJS, what has been your most unusual or interesting job?
Prior to coming to DCJS, I worked as the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Victim Advocate. Although my job title was victim advocate, I did not have any clients due to working cold cases, where the victim was often deceased. This job was interesting because I was able to learn about new DNA technologies and the benefits of re-testing old or unsubmitted physical evidence recovery kits (PERKs) using this advanced technology.
7. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Forensic Nurse Examiner
8. If you could only vacation one place for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?
This is one of the hardest questions to answer, but I would have to go with Egypt because of the climate, ancient history, culture and natural beauty.
9. What would you title your autobiography? A Life of Advocacy
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