Position Summary

Under the leadership of the Director, Direct Services, the Assistant Director will provide confidential and comprehensive trauma informed survivor-focused services and resources to survivors of sexual, gender-based and intimate partner violence, stalking, sexual and street harassment.  This will include crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and support services, including rights and options, in accordance with federal, state, local laws and regulations (civil and criminal), and campus policies. Additionally, the Assistant Director will participate in the 24/7 year-round direct supervision of on-call staff which may include, but is not limited to, consultation, crisis intervention and in-person response to support SVR direct services.

This position will work closely with the Training and Prevention team to ensure compliance-based programming, special events and outreach, co-lead prevention initiatives, supervise the Peer Advocacy (PA) Program to ensure consistent and high-quality peer-led programming and support services of SVR Helpline.  In partnership with the Director and other SVR team members, the Assistant Director will facilitate one-on-one and group supervision of PA volunteers, and coordinate campus and community resources to support students who have experienced any of the previously mentioned forms of trauma or abuse.  The Assistant Director will collaborate with other departmental colleagues to support the success of SVR activities, community education, outreach efforts, and special events.

This is an essential onsite role that requires after hours coverage, including evenings and weekends, as well as participation in the 24/7, year-round supervision on-call rotation. 

Limited hybrid work options may be considered during the winter and summer recess periods.

This position requires completion of all mandatory department and University training at onboarding and on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with institutional policies and job-specific responsibilities. SVR is a New York State Department of Health certified Rape Crisis Program; all staff must complete required training and certification within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Direct Services and Case Management (40%)

  • Deliver streamlined, efficient, comprehensive, crisis intervention, 24/7, year-round crisis response, information and referral services to students who are survivors/victims of sexual, intimate partner, and gender-based violence; stalking/high-tech stalking; harassment (sexual, street, gender-based).
  • Oversee overall effectiveness of SVR?s Peer Advocacy program and work closely with SVR leadership team to ensure a consistent and interactive process for all direct services procedures and workflow.
  • Manage ongoing individual case management and assessment to identify both immediate and long-term needs, rights, options, and appropriate referrals for high-risk and/or high-profile cases, and all other cases as needed.
  • Function as part of the 24/7 year-round on-call supervision rotation; share rotating responsibility for the 24/7 year-round on-call supervision shifts to provide consultation and guidance on 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 Director, Direct Services and Senior Survivor Advocate staff, maintain the on-call calendar.
  • As needed, function as back-up to Survivor Advocates in a frontline capacity to ensure round-the-clock on-call crisis services in a shared rotation amongst the Survivor Advocates. For instances where the Assistant Director is functioning as a frontline advocate, they will temporarily be removed from the on-call supervisory rotation.
  • 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 orders of protection), and all facets of the trial process?depositions, trial, victim impact statements, sentencing, release procedures, etc.
  • Deliver effective and practical crisis intervention/counseling, advocacy, immediate aid, options, information and referrals, and psychoeducation to students of the University community who experience crime, violence, or abuse.
  • Educate survivors on their rights and responsibilities and linkage to Victims Compensation, VINE (Victims Information Notification Everyday), Office of Victim Services (OVS), etc. Foster culturally inclusive services and programs to ensure cultural competence in serving the needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population. 
  • Provide emergency assistance in the immediate aftermath of violence, abuse, or traumatic experience and necessary short-term support and related follow-up services to alleviate the trauma associated with the survivor?s experience. Effectively work with and advocate on behalf of traditionally underserved and marginalized communities (e.g., People of Color, LGBTQ+ International, Indigenous, Native American, and People with Disabilities).
  • Effectively manage and 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 entities.
  • Required to report to campus, hospital emergency departments, law enforcement agencies, courthouses, and other entities on short notice for extended periods of time in response to emergency and critical incidents related to students who experience sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and abuse.
  • Regularly participate in case review meetings and one-to-one meetings with Director(s).
  • Maintain an effective and highly confidential case management process; recommend crisis intervention methods and direct ongoing process for formal and informal assessment strategies to meet the diversity of student needs and determine (re)allocation of resources, conduct periodic case reviews to ensure compliance.
  • Ensure staff produce ongoing case notes that document service encounters with survivors and monitor records management with attention to the protection of confidentiality of all student records in accordance with FERPA regulations.
  • Uphold confidentiality under New York Public Health Law and maintain confidential database (CRISIS/Confidential Response Intervention and Support Information System) and accurate records of services and referrals to ensure comprehensive quality care for survivors.
  • Ensure cultural competence and respond effectively in serving the needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population and understanding the needs of traditionally underserved communities, including students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and international students.

   Leadership and Peer Advocate Program Management (20%)

  • Oversees the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the Peer Advocate Program, including the delegation and supervision of programmatic responsibilities to the Senior Survivor Advocate, while ensuring alignment with departmental goals, training standards, and student support objectives.
  • Conduct recruitment, selection, supervision, training, development, and retention of Peer Advocate (PA) volunteer staff.
  • Lead and supervise direct services staff during 24/7 on-call supervision and in the absence of the Director.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of operational process improvements, tools, policies, procedures, and internal practices.
  • Plan, lead, and supervise projects, events, initiatives, and activities as assigned by SVR leadership team.
  • Provide consultation to faculty, staff, and administration regarding individual students (in accordance with confidentiality policy), University and SVR policies and procedures.
  • Manage accurate statistical data that reflect various aspects of victim/survivor service provision and compliance; maintain accurate program records, metrics, and statistics; oversee the implementation of established evaluation tools. 

  Training & Prevention (25%)

  • In partnership with the Director of Training and Prevention, assist in the implementation and facilitation of compliance-based training efforts.
  • Provide skill-building trainings and workshops to students that are in roles with increased exposure to responding to disclosures (student leaders, community assistants/resident advisors, Columbia University Emergency Management Services/CUEMS, etc.).
  • Ensure Peer Advocate (PA) training and certification complies with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) rape crisis program requirements.  In conjunction with leadership team, develop and update PA training curriculum.
  • Perform annual review and, as needed, revise the Peer Advocacy training manual; update policy and procedures in accordance with regulations and best practices from the field NYS-DOH Rape Crisis protocol, Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SaVE), Clery Act, federal regulations, and university policies.
  • In collaboration with SVR leadership team, facilitate training on Remote Temporary Orders of Protection (online orders of protection), RingCentral systems (Helpline) and survivor-centered workshops and programming.
  • Participate in required trainings and continuing education to maintain certification.
  • Stay abreast of current developments in the campus sexual assault and intimate partner violence field by participating in professional listservs, reviewing current literature and research, and attending professional conferences.  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, New York state Enough Is Enough Law, and any related state, federal, local, and campus regulations

   Collaborative Partnership (10%) 

  • In collaboration with other departmental colleagues, support the implementation of robust campus programming such as Relationship Violence Awareness Month (RVAM), Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), New Student Orientation Programming (NSOP), Denim Day, bystander intervention prevention programming, consent campaigns, Enough Is Enough, and other educational and outreach activities.
  • Function as part of a team to monitor sexual assault incidents and initiate or recommend program changes or (re)allocation of resources that will provide improved advocacy and support to students.
  • Partner with the Training and Prevention team to increase the campus community?s capacity to identify abusive behaviors early and to intervene safely.
  • Collaborate with other departments and off campus agencies to streamline access to both emergency and non-emergency resources.
  • In collaboration with SVR leadership team, assist with the development of annual reports, proposals, papers, and presentation materials. 
  • Assist in preparing administrative reports to document SVR Peer Advocate data to forecast resource needs and prevention outreach efforts.

  Perform other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree required.
• Minimum 4 years? experience in victim advocacy, crisis intervention, community organizing, prevention education, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sexual assault dynamics and effects.
• Experience in providing effective crisis intervention, advocacy and referrals to primary and secondary survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, gender-based harassment, and stalking.
• Committed to integrating an anti-racism and anti-oppression approach to their daily work with survivors and the community. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with faculty, administrators, students, and other stakeholders. 
• Strong program management and time management skills.
• Must be well organized and detailed oriented with ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands.
• Prior experience facilitating large and small group discussions to promote collaboration and work within a team model. 
• Ability to work in a multi-racial environment with commitment to social justice practice.
• Requires strong computer skills. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master?s or advanced degree.
• Requires previous supervisory experience.
• Familiarity with support and reporting/adjudication options for victims/survivors, including emergency department protocol and NYC service providers and criminal justice system.
• Experience with volunteer management including recruitment, curriculum design and training, retention, and student development strategies.
• Awareness of best practices of sexual violence prevention, risk reduction and survivor/victim support strategies
• Experience working with college students and a strong interest in higher education
• Community education experience, including designing and delivering skills-based trainings, outreach strategies, materials development, and program evaluation.

Other Requirements

WORKING HOURS

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

Normal Business Hours ? In general, 9:00 a.m. ? 5:00 p.m. Monday ? Friday

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

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

 ADA Compliance

Physical Ability: tasks involve extended periods at a workstation or keyboard.  Tasks involve commuting primarily, but not exclusively, in Manhattan at various hours of the night or day. 

 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 person.

 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.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

Connections working at Columbia University