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Columbia University

Assistant Director, Sexual Violence Response

🇺🇸 New York, New York 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $85K - $95K 💻 Administrator 🗓️ September 23rd, 2026
FERPA Higher Ed Title IX

Edtech.com's Summary

Columbia University is hiring an Assistant Director, Sexual Violence Response to provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and advocacy for Columbia Health's Sexual Violence Response program. The role supervises 24/7 on-call direct services staff and the Peer Advocacy Program while overseeing case management for students affected by sexual, gender-based, and intimate partner violence. It also leads training and prevention initiatives in partnership with campus and community stakeholders.

Highlights
  • Provides trauma-informed crisis intervention, counseling, and advocacy to survivors of sexual, gender-based, and intimate partner violence
  • Participates in the 24/7 year-round on-call supervision rotation for direct services staff
  • Oversees the Peer Advocacy Program, including recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers
  • Manages case management and coordinates referrals for high-risk and high-profile cases
  • Partners with the Training and Prevention team on compliance-based programming and skill-building workshops
  • Leads campus initiatives such as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and bystander intervention programming
  • Requires a bachelor's degree and at least 4 years of experience in victim advocacy or crisis intervention
  • Offers a salary range of $85,000-$95,000 for the 35-hour-per-week role
  • Involves an essential onsite schedule with after-hours, weekend, and on-call coverage
  • Serves a diverse student population, including underserved and marginalized communities

Assistant Director, Sexual Violence Response Full Description

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.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

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, and harassment
  • 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
  • Function as part of the 24/7 year-round on-call supervision rotation, providing consultation and guidance on crisis intervention, options, advocacy, medical and legal information, accompaniment, and immediate safety
  • Serve as back-up to Survivor Advocates in a frontline capacity as needed to ensure round-the-clock on-call crisis services
  • Provide criminal/civil justice advocacy and support services including accompaniment for police reports, forensic medical exams, interviews, court filings, and hearings
  • Deliver crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and psychoeducation to students who experience crime, violence, or abuse
  • Educate survivors on their rights and linkage to Victims Compensation, VINE, and the Office of Victim Services, while fostering culturally inclusive services for a diverse student population
  • Provide emergency assistance and short-term follow-up support following violence, abuse, or trauma, with attention to traditionally underserved and marginalized communities
  • Coordinate cases as a liaison between the survivor, law enforcement, public safety, Title IX staff, social services, and other campus and community entities
  • Report to campus, hospitals, law enforcement, and courthouses on short notice in response to emergency and critical incidents
  • Participate regularly in case review meetings and one-to-one meetings with Director(s)
  • Maintain a confidential case management process and recommend crisis intervention and assessment strategies to meet student needs
  • Monitor records management and case notes with attention to confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations
  • Maintain the confidential CRISIS database and accurate records of services and referrals under New York Public Health Law
  • Ensure cultural competence in serving a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population, including students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and international students
Leadership and Peer Advocate Program Management (20%)
  • Oversee the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the Peer Advocate Program, including delegation and supervision of responsibilities to the Senior Survivor Advocate
  • Conduct recruitment, selection, supervision, training, development, and retention of Peer Advocate 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, and procedures
  • Plan, lead, and supervise projects, events, initiatives, and activities as assigned by SVR leadership
  • Provide consultation to faculty, staff, and administration regarding individual students, University policy, and SVR procedures
  • Manage accurate statistical data reflecting victim/survivor service provision and compliance, and oversee evaluation tools
Training & Prevention (25%)
  • Partner with the Director of Training and Prevention to implement and facilitate compliance-based training efforts
  • Provide skill-building trainings and workshops to students in roles with increased exposure to responding to disclosures, such as resident advisors and CUEMS
  • Ensure Peer Advocate training and certification complies with New York State Department of Health rape crisis program requirements and update the training curriculum
  • Perform annual review and revision of the Peer Advocacy training manual in line with NYS-DOH protocol, Campus SaVE, and the Clery Act
  • Facilitate training on Remote Temporary Orders of Protection, RingCentral systems, and survivor-centered workshops
  • Participate in required trainings and continuing education to maintain certification
  • Stay current on developments in the campus sexual assault and intimate partner violence field, including Title IX, VAWA/Clery Act, and New York's Enough Is Enough Law
Collaborative Partnership (10%)
  • Support campus programming such as Relationship Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, New Student Orientation, and bystander intervention campaigns
  • Monitor sexual assault incidents and recommend program changes or resource reallocation to improve advocacy and support
  • Partner with the Training and Prevention team to strengthen the campus community's ability to identify abusive behaviors and intervene safely
  • Collaborate with other departments and off-campus agencies to streamline access to emergency and non-emergency resources
  • Assist with the development of annual reports, proposals, papers, and presentation materials
  • Assist in preparing administrative reports on SVR Peer Advocate data to forecast resource needs
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 a closely related field
  • Demonstrated knowledge of sexual assault dynamics and effects
  • Experience providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals to survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, gender-based harassment, and stalking
  • Committed to integrating an anti-racism and anti-oppression approach into 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
  • Well organized and detail oriented with the ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands
  • Prior experience facilitating large and small group discussions
  • Ability to work in a multi-racial environment with a commitment to social justice practice

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master’s or advanced degree
  • Previous supervisory experience
  • Familiarity with support and reporting/adjudication options for survivors, including emergency department protocol and NYC service providers
  • Experience with volunteer management, including recruitment, curriculum design and training, and retention
  • Awareness of best practices in sexual violence prevention, risk reduction, and survivor support strategies
  • Experience working with college students and a strong interest in higher education
  • Community education experience, including designing and delivering skills-based trainings and outreach strategies

Other Requirements
Required to participate in a 24-hour, 7 days per week, year-round on-call supervision rotation.
  • Normal Business Hours: generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • After-Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and all hours on weekends and holidays
  • On-Call: a flexible schedule with availability during scheduled 24/7 rotations for crisis counseling calls and in-person response
  • Physical Ability: tasks involve extended periods at a workstation and commuting primarily in Manhattan at various hours
  • Sensory Requirements: strong verbal and written communication is required, along with the ability to respond attentively to sensitive accounts of violence, crime, or abuse
  • Environmental Factors: tasks may involve contact with individuals in crisis, including those who may be distressed or under the influence of substances

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
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