Victim ​/ Survivor Advocate

Victim/Survivor Advocate

The Victim/Survivor Advocate supports Cornell's comprehensive response to sexual violence, dating/intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. The position exercises independent professional judgment in assessing survivor needs, developing individualized advocacy strategies, and supporting coordinated institutional responses.

The focus of this job is to support the SHARE Office within the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives through confidential advocacy, institutional collaboration, and related activities to reduce risk, promote care, and enhance the health and safety of the Cornell community.

Success Factors:

• Advanced trauma-informed knowledge and deep understanding of the varied experiences of survivors, enabling the exercise of independent professional judgment in assessing survivor needs, developing individualized advocacy and support strategies, consulting with campus partners, and navigating complex situations with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and listening skills, with an ability to build relationships and maintain trust, assess the needs of various stakeholders, and identify and advocate for achievable solutions.
• Demonstrated success with public speaking and the ability to speak to a wide range of audiences and communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and life experiences.
• Robust project management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage several projects at once in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment, with strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through on tasks and overarching priorities.
• Strong commitment to collaborative work and demonstrated success working with colleagues and other student affairs professionals with varying work styles.
• Integrates values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout their work with clients and colleagues.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Please Note:

There is no visa sponsorship for this position. This is a five-year term position with a salary of up to $91,000 per year.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public health, social sciences, student affairs, or a related field, with at least three to five years of relevant experience in a collegiate or comparable setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Direct client services experience in victim assistance or crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated experience exercising independent professional judgment in complex, sensitive, and rapidly evolving situations involving trauma, confidentiality, safety, and institutional response.
• Knowledge of sexual violence, interpersonal violence, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and trauma-informed care, particularly within college populations.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of diverse and historically underrepresented communities. Strong skills in case management, including organization, follow-up, attention to detail, and the ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with sound judgment and discretion.
• Experience in program coordination, group facilitation, and delivering educational or support programming.
• Knowledge of public health and behavioral health principles relevant to survivor support and prevention.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, build collaborative relationships across campus constituencies, and work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Compassionate, empathetic listening skills and strong problem-solving abilities, with responsiveness to the evolving needs and circumstances of survivors and cultural humility.
• Familiarity with forensic processes.
• Flexibility adapting to changing priorities and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Experience working with inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in public health, social sciences, student affairs or a related field.
• In-depth knowledge of adolescent/early adulthood development.
• Experience with trauma-informed practice for support and care.
• Deep understanding of the complex and unique campus dynamics that may affect how a survivor engages with services, their education and activities, and any adjudication processes.
• Commitment to equitable access, social justice, and individual empowerment.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Title IX.
• Familiarity with Cornell and local resources.