Survivor Advocate

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Under the leadership of the Director of Sexual Violence Response Direct Services, the Survivor Advocate will provide confidential and comprehensive survivor-focused services, resources and trauma-informed care to survivors of gender and power-based violence. This will include direct crisis intervention, crisis counseling, advocacy and support services, including explaining and exploring survivors' rights and options, in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations (civil and criminal), and campus policies.

The incumbent will serve as a general resource, advocate, and referral agent for students seeking sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking information and services. Additionally, the Survivor Advocate will provide round-the-clock, on-call crisis support year-round in a shared rotation amongst the direct services team and coordinate campus and community resources to support students who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violenc,e and related abuse. The Survivor Advocate will collaborate with other departmental colleagues, on and off campus, to support the success of SVR activities, including community education, outreach effort,s and special events.

This is an essential on-site position that requires availability after hours, including evenings and weekends, and participation in the 24 / 7, year-round on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

Advocacy, support, and case management : 80%

• Provide effective and practical crisis intervention, immediate aid, options, referrals, and information, psychoeducation, and advocacy and support services to primary and secondary survivors of gender and power-based violence.
• Provide emergency assistance in the immediate aftermath of violence, abuse or traumatic experience, which includes but not limited to short-term support and related follow-up services to alleviate safety and trauma associated with the survivor's experience.
• Accompany survivors as needed to hospitals, court, police precincts, hearings / adjudications on campus, etc., to provide support.
• Maintain confidentiality under New York Public Health Law and maintain a confidential database (CRISIS / Confidential Response Intervention and Support Information System) and accurate records of services and referrals to ensure comprehensive quality care for survivors.
• Manage accurate statistical data, which reflects various aspects of victim / survivor service provision and compliance. Must adhere to strict confidentiality when working with survivors.
• Share responsibility for rotating 24-hour on-call shifts for the purpose of providing crisis intervention, options, advocacy, medical and legal information, accompaniment, and immediate safety to students who identify as survivors of trauma, violence or abuse.
• In partnership with the Direct Services staff, maintain the on-call calendar.
• As part of the 24-hour on-call rotation, the Survivor Advocate is required to report to campus, hospital emergency departments, law enforcement agencies, court houses, etc. on short notice for extended periods of time in response to emergency and critical incidents related to students' experiences of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and abuse.
• Responsible for on-going individual case management, assessment to identify both immediate and long-term needs, rights, options, and appropriate referrals for survivors.
• Provide criminal / civil justice advocacy and support services, including orientation and accompaniment for the making of police reports, forensic medical exams, interviews, court filings and hearings (including injunctions / orders of protection), and all facets of the trial process (including depositions, trial, victim impact statements, sentencing, release procedures). Additionally, it will provide education to survivors on their rights and responsibilities and linkage to Victims Compensation, VINE (Victims Information Notification Everyday), Office of Victim Services (OVS), etc.
• Coordinate cases, serving as a liaison between the survivor, law enforcement, public safety, Title IX staff, social services, community-based organizations, professors, other campus departments and officials, employers, landlords, and other agencies.
• Provide consultation as needed to faculty, staff and administration regarding individual students, policies, and procedures. Additionally, collaborate with other departments and off-campus agencies to streamline access to both emergency and non-emergency resources.
• Regularly participate in case review meetings and one-to-one meetings with a supervisor to discuss case status.
• In collaboration with direct services leadership, facilitate advisement sessions with students who actively participate in the 24 / 7 Helpline / On-Call services (volunteers, casual employees, etc.).
• Ensure cultural competence and respond effectively in serving the needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population.
• Effectively working with and or advocating on behalf of traditionally underserved and marginalized communities (e.g., People of Color, LGBTQ+, International, Indigenous, Native American, and People with Disabilities).

Training, Prevention, Educational Programming, and Outreach : 15%

• Participate in required trainings and continuing education to maintain certification.
• In conjunction with direct services leadership, assists with the development of annual reports, memos, proposals, papers, and presentation materials. Assist in preparing administrative reports documenting SVR data for predicting resource needs, and prevention and outreach efforts.
• In collaboration with other departmental colleagues, support the success of implementing campus programming such as Relationship Violence Awareness Month (RVAM), Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), Denim Day, consent campaigns, and other educational and outreach activities (NSOP, Residential Life / Housing, etc.). Assist the SVR Training and Prevention team with increasing the campus community's capacity to identify abusive behaviors early and to intervene safely.
• Stay abreast of current developments in the college sexual assault field by participating in professional listservs, reviewing current literature and research, and attending professional conferences and trainings. Keep informed of necessary policy directives related to the college sexual assault field, including, but not limited to, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights / Title IX, VAWA / Clery Act, and the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.

Perform other duties as assigned. 5%

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 3 years in victim / survivor advocacy, crisis intervention, crisis counseling, and maintaining the highest level of confidentiality strongly preferred.
• Training in sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
• Demonstrated knowledge of support and reporting options for victims / survivors, including emergency department protocol and the criminal justice system.
• Experience in providing effective crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals, and psychoeducation to primary and secondary survivors of violence, crime or abuse.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and respond to individuals in crisis and emergency situations; and handle graphic and sensitive situations.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in accordance with established policies and regulations.
• Requires excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be well organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to multitask and prioritize competing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-racial environment with commitment to social justice.
• Ability to work a non-traditional schedule and respond to call-outs when assigned to 24-hour on-call coverage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or advanced degree.
• Familiarity with on and off-campus support, reporting / adjudication options, and NYC service providers.
• Experience working in a complex organization and an understanding of larger institutional goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights / Title IX, VAWA / Clery Act, The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, and law enforcement and court procedures (criminal / civil).
• Ability to foster positive and productive relationships with all campus constituencies, including students, administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Experience working with college students and a strong interest in higher education.

Other Requirements

WORKING HOURS :

Required to participate in a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week, and year-round on-call rotation.

Frequent evening and weekend hours required.

Normal Business Hours - In general, 9 : 00 a.m. - 6 : 00 p.m. ET Monday-Friday.

After-Hours - Defined as 5 : 00 p.m. - 9 : 00 a.m. ET Monday-Friday, and 12 : 00 a.m. - 11 : 59 p.m. ET holidays and weekends.

On-Call - Being available during scheduled rotation 24 / 7 for crisis counseling calls and in-person response. In cases where on-site / in-person support is required, staff are expected to respond within a reasonable period of time.

ADA COMPLIANCE

• Physical Ability : tasks involve extended periods at the workstation or keyboard. Tasks involve commuting primarily, but not exclusively, in Manhattan at various hours of the night or day. Tasks involve working a flexible schedule that will include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Sensory Requirements : verbal and written communication is required. Tasks may involve exposure via sight and smell of bodily fluids, evidence-bearing clothing, and visible injuries. Tasks involve listening and responding to intimate physical knowledge of violence, crime, or abuse against a student.
• Environmental Factors : tasks may involve contact with angry or potentially violent individuals. Tasks may involve contact with individuals with known and unknown diseases. Tasks may include contact with individuals under the influence of either legal or illegal substances.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants requiring current or future visa sponsorship will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.