Survivor Advocate

About the role

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

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in case review meetings and one-on-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.
• Collaborate with other departmental colleagues, on and off campus to support the success of SVR activities including community education, outreach efforts and special events.
• Support SVR office locations on the CUIMC and Morningside campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalent experience.
• 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.