Victim Advocate

Job Overview

The Victim Advocate provides individualized advocacy services to students, faculty, staff, and consultative services to the broader campus community. Services are confidential, survivor‑centered, trauma‑informed, empowerment‑based within an integrated healthcare framework for those who have experienced crime, violence, or abuse. This essential personnel position serves the Tampa campus, assists the St. Petersburg campus as needed, and serves as the primary advocate for the Sarasota‑Manatee campus.

Reports directly to the Assistant Director of Victim Advocacy at the Center for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention. Some evening and weekend hours are required (rotating on‑call component).

• Provide confidential, survivor‑centered, trauma‑informed advocacy services, including crisis intervention, safety planning, risk assessment, emotional support, resource navigation, and assistance with reporting options (law enforcement, Title IX, Student Conduct, or other campus/community processes).
• Facilitate referrals to campus and community resources, accompany survivors to court proceedings and related appointments, assist with filing injunctions for protection, and offer ongoing support throughout decision‑making processes.
• Consult with campus community members on survivor support and response.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of crime‑victim issues, emerging trends, evidence‑based practices, legal considerations, and professional standards in victim advocacy and trauma‑informed care.
• Participate in the 24/7 OneUSF rotating on‑call advocacy system; provide after‑hours support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource coordination during evenings, weekends, holidays, and university closures.
• Serve as a victim advocacy representative in outreach, prevention, visibility, and awareness efforts; engage in tabling, short‑form presentations, and, when requested, longer‑form workshops on victim advocacy topics.
• Maintain confidential records and case documentation in accordance with laws, policies, and professional standards; manage client, outreach, and programmatic data; represent the office on committees; develop collaborative relationships with campus and community partners.
• Assist with departmental and Health & Wellness/Student Success initiatives as needed (strategic planning, trainings, outreach, programming, assessment, and operational activities).

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, or related field. Bachelor’s degree holders must have at least two years of applicable experience;
  Master’s degree may substitute for required experience.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed, survivor‑sensitive victim service provision, criminal justice system processes, Florida criminal statutes, and issues related to diverse crime victimization.
• Specific certifications or licensures may be required or preferred for certain program areas.

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Criminology, Gender Studies, Counseling, or other relevant field.
• Minimum six months of direct client victim services experience.
• Certified Victim Services Practitioner or ability to obtain certification within the first year.
• One year of post‑graduate professional work experience and one year in a college environment.
• Experience providing educational workshops and consultation services.

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.