Survivor Advocate

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $70,000 - $75,000

Position Summary

Under the leadership of the Assistant Director of Sexual Violence Response at the CUIMC location, the Survivor Advocate will provide confidential and comprehensive survivor-focused services, resources, and trauma-informed care to survivors of gender and power-based violence. The Survivor Advocate will provide direct crisis intervention, crisis counseling, advocacy and support services, including explaining and exploring survivor rights and options, in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations (civil and criminal), and campus policies. Serve as a general resource, advocate, and referral agent for students seeking sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking information and services. Provide round-the-clock, on-call crisis support in a shared rotation amongst the direct services team. Coordinate campus and community resources to support students who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence and related abuse. Collaborate with other departmental colleagues, on and off campus to support the success of SVR activities including community education, outreach efforts and special events. Must adhere to strict confidentiality when working with survivors. The Survivor Advocate will support SVR office locations on the CUIMC and Morningside campuses.

This is an essential onsite position with 24/7 on-call rotation. Some hybrid work options may be considered.

Responsibilities

Advocacy, Support and Case Management (70%)

• Provide effective and practical crisis intervention, immediate aid, options, referrals, and information, psychoeducation, 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 and for extended periods of time in response to emergency and critical incidents related to incidents 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.
• Regularly participate in case review meetings and on-to-one meetings with supervisor to discuss case status.
• Provide criminal/civil justice advocacy and support services in 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 impacted statements, sentencing, release procedures).
• 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.
• In collaboration with direct services leadership, facilitate advisement session with students who actively participate in the 24/7 Helpline/On-Call services (volunteers, casual employees).

Foster culturally inclusive services & programs (10%)

• Ensure cultural competence and respond effectively in serving the needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population.
• Effectively work with and advocate on behalf of traditionally underserved and marginalized communities (People of Color, LGBTQ+, International Students, Indigenous, Native American, and Student with Disabilities).

Collaboration, Outreach & Other Support Services (15%)

• In partnership with the Direct Services staff, maintain on-call calendar.
• Provide consultation as needed to faculty, staff, and administration regarding individual students, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborates with other departments and off-campus agencies to streamline access to both emergency and non-emergency resources.
• In conjunction with direct services leadership, assist with development of annual reports, proposals, papers, and presentation materials.
• Assist in preparing administrative reports documenting SVR data for predicting resource needs for prevention and outreach efforts.
• Manage accurate statistical data, which reflect various aspects of victim/survivor services provision and compliance.
• Participate in required trainings and continuing education to maintain certification.
• Stay up-to-date with current developments in the campus sexual assault and intimate partner violence filed by participating in professional listserv.

Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent experience required.
• Minimum three years' related experience.
• Demonstrated experience in victim/survivor advocacy, crisis intervention, crisis counseling, or related field.
• Training in sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
• Demonstrated knowledge of support and reporting options for victims/survivors, including emergency department protocol and criminal justice system.
• Experience in providing effective crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals, and psychoeducation to primary and secondary survivors of violence, crime or abuse.
• Ability to remain calm and respond to individuals in crisis and emergency situations; must be able to 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 ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work in 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 degree.
• Familiarity with on and off campus support, reporting/adjudication options, and NYC service providers.
• Experience working in a complex organization with 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 days 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 is expected to respond within a reasonable period of time.

ADA Compliance:

• Physical Ability: tasks involve extended periods at work station 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

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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