• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: Lerner Hall
• Salary Range: $98,000 - $125,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, the Director will provide leadership and direction for SVR Direct Services program, which provides trauma-informed, confidential support, crisis intervention/counseling, advocacy, connection to resources, referrals, online orders of protection, and accompaniment for survivors of gender and power-based violence.

The Director will supervise a team of professionals specialized in providing victim advocacy, trauma-informed crisis response, and overall case management to students affected by sexual, intimate partner, gender and power-based violence.  The incumbent will provide 24/7 year-round direct supervision for on-call and after-hours staff (rotating with mangers on direct services team) including but not limited to consultation, crisis intervention, case supervision, and in-person response and support.

The incumbent will provide training, outreach, community education, and systems-level advocacy.  They will contribute to campus-wide sexual violence initiatives and collaborate with the Senior Executive Director to provide strategic leadership and manage efforts to evaluate and refine Direct Services infrastructure to ensure the delivery of comprehensive trauma-informed victim services. The Director will assume operational leadership for SVR in the absence of the Senior Executive Director.

SVR is a New York State Department of Health certified Rape Crisis Program.  The selectee for this position must successfully complete all mandatory training and certification requirements within ninety (90) days of their start date.

This is an essential onsite role that requires after hours including evenings and weekends when required or as part of the 24/7 year-round on-call rotation.  Some hybrid work options may be considered during the winter and summer recess break.

Responsibilities

Direct Services (45%)

• Provide leadership and supervision for 24/7 year-round survivor services including information, resources, referral, advocacy services, and comprehensive, culturally-competent crisis response. 
• Lead continuous case management review to ensure trauma informed response, planning, case documentation, and follow-through to students who are survivors/victims of sexual, intimate partner and gender-based violence, stalking/high-tech stalking; harassment (sexual, street, gender-based).
• Provide ongoing feedback regarding case management issues, maintain an effective case management system including case tracking, review, and analysis. Review cases to ensure appropriate distribution of caseload, direct ongoing process for formal and informal assessment strategies to meet the diversity of student needs and determine (re)allocation of resources.
• Provide supervision and advise on crisis intervention strategies and overall case management activities.  Supervise Advocates with case coordination, work with law enforcement, Public Safety, Title IX staff, social services, community-based organizations, faculty, and other agencies.
• Oversee the management of confidential information and records in accordance with SVR, Columbia Health, University policies, and state/federal regulations. Monitor SVR Confidential Response Intervention and Support Information System (CRISIS) to ensure Advocates document and maintain accurate records.
• Manage high-risk and high-profile cases in consultation with the Senior Executive Director.  Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services.
• Participate in the on-call rotation; respond and report to campus for emergency and critical incidents with short notice as needed.
• Manage on-call systems for the 24/7 year-round services (vendor contracts, policy/procedure development, testing systems, training of vendor, CUIT/phone system, scheduling, etc.,).
• Advocate for, and allocate resources to, support priorities and develop processes and procedures to assure continuity of services.  Partner with other departments and external agencies to streamline emergency and non-emergency services and resources.
• In partnership with the Senior Executive Director, direct, develop, implement, and evaluate Direct Services goals and objectives to meet anticipated and evolving needs associated with survivor services; assist with long and short-term strategic planning to achieve Direct Services priorities and objectives.
• Stay abreast of current developments in the campus sexual assault and intimate partner violence movement by participating in professional list serves, 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 and federal regulations.

Personnel Management and Administration (40%)

• Develop leaders and leadership capacity within the direct services team and motivate direct reports individually and as a team, understanding and supporting diversity with a focus on establishing an integrated team.
• Evaluate the performance of direct reports including providing ongoing feedback as well as mentorship; set diverse and specific performance goals, priorities and objectives, and identify development opportunities for direct reports that meets their individual and specific growth needs to establish high standards for professionalism.
• Partner with Assistant Directors on the evaluation and development measures for the Peer Advocate volunteers and student Helpline advocates.
• Provide general supervision of staff including approval of time off, addressing work performance issues, taking or recommending corrective actions as needed in consultation with the Senior Executive Director and Human Resources.
• Manage recruitment and selection of direct reports and assist with recruitment efforts for various professional vacancies within SVR. In collaboration with the Assistant Directors, manage the sourcing, retention, and development of new and existing student volunteers and direct services student casuals.
• Develop and design overall service schedule to meet Direct Services 24/7 operational needs. In collaboration with the Associate Director manage schedule revisions necessitated by unanticipated absences and events.
• Lead and facilitate all aspects of Direct Services orientation and onboarding process. Collaborate with SVR leadership, Columbia Health Human Resources, and University partners to ensure thorough orientation and onboarding of all Direct Services staff including student volunteers, consultants, student casuals, and temporary staff.
• Direct, develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures related to survivor services; advise the Senior Executive Director on issues, trends, and opportunities to enhance services and reflect best practices.
• Make policy recommendations to the Senior Executive Director in response to changing legal and emerging circumstances.
• Serve as content expert to administrators, faculty, and staff with regards to interpreting and adhering to the expectations of policies and procedures pertaining to sexual assault issues; facilitate consultation to faculty, staff, and administration regarding individual students, policies and procedures.
• Ensure SVR maintains New York State Department of Health (NYS-DOH) certification and is in compliance with other campus, local, state and federal regulations.
• Serve on and attend various committees (on and off campus) as assigned by Senior Executive Director.
• In collaboration with Director, Training & Prevention, ensure all content on SVR webpage is current and relevant to the campus community.
• Update program outreach materials, print, and web publications; create and distribute materials to publicize services, prevention, and risk reduction educational materials, and special events announcements.

Training and Prevention Initiatives (10%)

• In collaboration with the Senior Executive Director and the Director of Training and Prevention develop, review, modify, coordinate, and conduct mandatory and ongoing trainings for SVR staff, volunteers, interns, and for students’ campus-wide on a variety of topics related to sexual violence.
• Create trainings for specific community constituencies with individual learning objectives for each group. Ensure trainings are culturally sensitive, informed by promising practices in social emotional learning and prevention.
• Create and update curricula, lesson plans, and materials and ensure information is relevant to the focused population(s) and current.
• Manage and update all advocate training materials and lesson plans. Manage staff participation in mandatory trainings, continued education and certification.
• Plan, lead and supervise projects, events, educational initiatives, and outreach activities [New Student Orientation, Relationship Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month etc.] as assigned by the Senior Executive Director.
• Stay abreast of best or promising practices for trainings and workshops, including creative design approaches, delivery methods and practical exercises.

 Performs other duties as assigned (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years related experience.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff, managing multidisciplinary teams, and leading programs.
• Exceptional leadership and decision-making skills with ability to foster strong team dynamics, support staff development, and guide strategic initiatives.
• Deep knowledge of trauma-informed care, survivor-centered practices, and culturally responsive framework.
• Previous experience providing effective advocacy, crisis services, and counseling to survivors of gender-based violence.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-risk cases and work collaboratively across complex systems.
• Strong subject matter expertise in sexual and intimate partner violence prevention and response, advocacy, crisis management, and community organizing.
• Experience developing, implementing and facilitating training and educational programs.
• Ability to direct crisis management activities and facilitate procedures for distressed students, direct and enforce policies, regulations, and laws that pertain to the University, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ability to direct crisis management activities and facilitate procedures for distressed students, direct and enforce policies, regulations, and laws that pertain to the University, local, state, and federal regulations.
• Able to confidently interact with all levels of leadership/management including senior and executive management.
• Must be able to manage highly sensitive and confidential information.  
• High level of interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence with ability to have difficult conversations with compassion and positive intent.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment when faced with complex decisions around critical and high-risk issues during stressful situations.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to think strategically, identify needs, and make decisions based on qualitative and quantitative data.
• Requires exceptional communication skills, including written and verbal.  
• Must be well organized and detail oriented with ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a growing, dynamic team in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse student population with cultural competence, sensitivity and a commitment to social justice practice.
• Must complete and maintain up-to-date training requirements to ensure compliance with institutional policies and job-specific responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, sociology, public policy, criminology, criminal justice, human justice, gender studies, social work, public health, human services or closely related field
• Experience working in a college/university setting
• Familiarity with Enough is Enough legislation and New York State Rape Crisis Program (RCP) certification standards.
• Experience developing and managing grants or large-scale projects.
• Familiarity with on and off-campus support, reporting/adjudication options, and NYC service providers.
• Knowledge of the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights/Title IX, Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA), Clery Act, and Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (Campus SAVE Act).
• Experience in strategic planning, organization, and group dynamics, employee and student development in a higher education setting or multifaceted organizations.
• Proficiency in Bengali, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and other languages is a plus.

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Other Requirements

Working Hours

• This position requires flexibility, including occasional evenings and weekends, to accommodate student and programmatic needs.
• Normal Business Hours are generally:  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 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.  Must be able to respond within a reasonable period of time for on-site/in-person support.

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 initiate 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.