CARE Director

CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment) is the advocacy and prevention education office that supports survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence and stalking.

UCSC is seeking a CARE Director who will bring leadership, compassion, and vision to a role where your work makes a lasting difference. As the CARE Director, you'll lead a highly respected team of Advocates and Educators providing confidential survivor-centered support and prevention education, while collaborating with campus partners to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

UCSC is the county's largest employer and one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Perched on the coast overlooking Monterey Bay, our main campus offers a stunning setting and a vibrant community where over 3,100 staff members build meaningful careers, enjoy comprehensive benefits, and contribute to a mission that makes a difference.

UCSC offers staff a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health and well-being.

Here is a sample of benefit options:

* Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
* UC Retirement Pension Plan
* Optional life, legal, and pet insurance
* Paid holidays, plus accrued vacation and sick leave
* Discounts at UCSC recreation facilities

For details, please visit: UCnet-Benefits

Thank you for your interest in joining the UC Santa Cruz community.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: Monday 8/17/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Student Health Services (SHS) is a full-service health facility offering clinical, educational, counseling, and psychiatry services on the UCSC campus. SHS is deeply committed to ensuring affordable, well-integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare that effectively supports the university's diverse campus communities through equitable access and culturally competent, high-quality programs and services.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a variety of mental health and psychological services to UCSC undergraduate and graduate students, including intake assessment, brief and long-term individual, group therapy, crisis intervention, mental health outreach and workshop programming, consultation, and liaison relationships to support student mental health and well-being.

The Primary Care Program offers primary care and same-day care services, supported by on-site radiology, a COLA-accredited clinical laboratory, optometry, and the campus pharmacy offering prescription and over-the-counter products.

Additional departments include Student Insurance and Referral Programs; CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment), the advocacy and prevention education office that supports survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, and stalking; Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP), home of the Condom Co-op and the Cove Collegiate Recovery Program (CCRP), where students receive harm-reduction and recovery services.

Student Health Services employs approximately 150 staff and welcomes staff with interest and experience working with college students with a wide range of diverse and intersecting identities.

More information can be found at: https://care.ucsc.edu & https://healthcenter.ucsc.edu

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, the CARE Director oversees confidential campus advocacy and prevention services for sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, and stalking. The incumbent is directly responsible for the supervision of CARE staff and establishes and achieves departmental goals and objectives through coordinated achievements of all CARE professionals and student staff. This CARE Director serves as a manager and university spokesperson, expert, strategist, policy analyst, and advocate for all campus-wide interpersonal violence issues related to students, staff, and faculty.

The CARE Director is responsible for critical incident management and consultation to leadership on high-risk scenarios related to sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, and stalking, and participates in and leads committees and task forces responding to a variety of issues in relation to sexual violence and assault, and handles sensitive situations as needed. The incumbent ensures the implementation of scientifically driven prevention education best practices for students, staff, and faculty in relation to sexual violence and assault.

The CARE Director draws from a theoretical and philosophical foundation in student services and specialized expertise and knowledge of sexual assault issues and victim advocacy, including survivor recovery, medical, legal, and adjudication procedures, to conduct risk mitigation for campus health and safety and serve as a subject matter expert on sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, and stalking.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $100,100- $125,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: ADVOCACY MGR 1 (006783)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

30% - Leadership

• Develops and implements strategic vision and short and long-term goals for CARE to address the CARE service needs of the campus community.
• Ensures all CARE services and programming are survivor-centered, trauma-informed, intersectional, and empowerment-based.
• Develops, implements, and reviews policies and procedures that guide the operations of CARE, consistent with University, federal, and state regulations as applicable.
• Oversees budget expenditures for the CARE Office. Administers grants related to advocacy and prevention education efforts as necessary.
• Provides annual data analysis on CARE services to identify trends and adapt services, outreach, and education to reach communities that are underserved or have additional vulnerabilities.
• Promotes a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement among staff.
• Serves as a representative with expertise in intimate partner violence and sexual assault for University-wide initiatives, meetings, committees, and task forces.

30% - Supervision and Management

• Provides direct supervision of staff, including advocates, the Prevention Education Coordinator, Intake Coordinator, and student staff.
• Ensures quality and standards of service provided by CARE staff and student staff, in accordance with relevant laws, policies, confidentiality requirements, and professional best practices.
• Monitors continuing education and maintenance of staff Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Counselor Certification. Ensures proper stewardship of confidential client information.
• Responsible for performance management of CARE staff and student staff in accordance with UC guidelines, providing probationary and annual performance appraisals, and implementing coaching, counseling, discipline, and dismissal.
• Provides direct oversight of all recruitment activities and hiring actions for CARE professional staff and provides guidance and oversight for hiring and management of student staff.
• Develops and maintains a work environment to ensure collaborative working relationships and open and direct communication.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of campus-wide educational programs to eradicate interpersonal violence and foster a culture of consent and respect on campus.
• Oversees the CARE Prevention Education Coordinator in the development and implementation of scientifically driven and evidence-based prevention programs.
• Ensures outreach and accessibility of CARE services are intersectional and responsive to campus climate needs.

20% - Consultation

• Serves as University spokesperson regarding sexual violence, sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, and stalking to campus and community agencies.
• Represents UC Santa Cruz on UC System-wide CARE Council, collaborating with other UC CARE directors to share developments in the field and best practices, implementing UC Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment (SVSH) policy, and coordinating with UC Office of the President on compliance for campus, state, and federal mandates.
• Consults with University leadership on high-risk scenarios and critical incidents related to interpersonal violence and sexual assault.
• Serves as a resource for best practices in managing incidents related to intimate partner violence and sexual assault.
• Collaborates with campus stakeholders to develop strategies for addressing complex issues related to interpersonal violence and sexual assault.

20% - Direct Service

• Provides direct support and intervention for clients (students, faculty, or staff) experiencing crises or requiring immediate assistance related to sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence, and stalking.
• Conducts assessments to identify student needs and connect them with appropriate resources.
• Facilitates training and workshops for students, staff, and faculty on topics of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and provides support on prevention and education outreach and engagement efforts.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of direct services, making adjustments as necessary to improve outcomes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficient knowledge of interpersonal violence advocacy, trauma-informed practices, advocacy for survivors within the legal system, and Title IX policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable laws and ethical standards associated with the profession.
• Minimum one year of experience providing confidential advocacy services to individuals who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner/domestic violence- sexual harassment and stalking
• Demonstrated strong supervisory and management skills- typically achieved after two or more years of experience- to provide expertise, guidance, case consultation, and professional development to Advocates and other CARE staff.
• Specialized expertise and knowledge of sexual assault issues and victim advocacy, including survivor recovery, medical, legal, and adjudication procedures.
• Strong theoretical and philosophical foundation in student services.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate prevention education programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply social justice fundamentals to sexual violence prevention, including policy development and community organizing.
• Solid skills in decision-making, analysis, critical thinking, project management, and organizational leadership. Ability to effectively solve problems and make recommendations and decisions in response to critical incidents when protocols are absent.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively and professionally with campus community members with diverse and intersecting identities in both individual and large group settings.
• Experience in strategic planning, establishing programmatic goals and objectives. Ability to communicate clear vision and attainable goals and gain results in a timely manner.
• Ability to manage fiscal resources effectively.
• Well-developed written communication skills. Ability to write, edit and proofread correspondence and other materials that reflect professionalism, attention to detail, and the ability to convey clear and accurate information in written form.
• Well-developed oral communication skills with the ability to speak clearly and present detailed and complex information.
• Mastery of standard office applications and digital communication platforms, with a strong aptitude for learning new internal systems necessary to perform the requirements of the position.
• Ability to maintain strict confidence of privileged information and perform a wide range of duties that require tact, sensitivity, independent judgment, diplomacy, organizational skills, flexibility and discretion
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience / training OR One year of counseling experience with six months of rape crisis experience OR Licensed Psychotherapist (MFT, LCSW, LPCC) under the CA Evidence Code

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or a related field
• Experience managing an advocacy program for interpersonal violence on a university campus.
• Experience with client management software, especially Osnium.
• Experience applying for and managing large grants.
• Ability to provide crisis advocacy support in a language other than English.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• California Certification for Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor Training or the ability to obtain the certification within 60 calendar days of hire. Unit will cover associated expenses.
• California Certification for Domestic Violence Advocates or the ability to obtain the certification within 60 calendar days of hire. Unit will cover associated expenses.
• Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-hire criminal history background check and a pre-hire credentialing check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test within 60 days of hire.
• Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) training within 30 days of hire
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to respond to emergencies after hours as necessary.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Will be required to comply with current Student Health Center employee health safety requirements for health care workers as defined by state and federal regulatory agencies. Current health safety requirements are discussed during interview.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.