Victim / Survivor Advocate

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Victim/Survivor Advocate supports Cornell’s comprehensive response to sexual violence, dating and intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. The role supports the SHARE Office within the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives through confidential advocacy, institutional collaboration, and related activities intended to reduce risk, promote care, and enhance the health and safety of the Cornell community.

The advocate exercises independent professional judgment to assess survivor needs, develop individualized advocacy strategies, and support coordinated institutional responses. The position requires trauma-informed knowledge, sound discretion in handling confidential information, collaboration with campus partners, and the ability to navigate complex situations with minimal supervision. The advocate also contributes to program coordination, group facilitation, educational and support programming, and inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing efforts.

This is a five-year term position. The posting states a salary of up to $91,000 per year and lists a pay range of $82,735–$98,574. The position is hybrid, and there is no visa sponsorship. Occasional evening and weekend work may be needed.

Requirements

• 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 ability to exercise 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 case management skills, including organization, follow-up, attention to detail, and management of 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, build collaborative relationships across campus constituencies, and work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Compassionate, empathetic listening skills, strong problem-solving abilities, responsiveness to survivors’ evolving needs and circumstances, and cultural humility.
• Familiarity with forensic processes.
• Flexibility in adapting to changing priorities and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Experience working with inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing programs.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential advocacy and support for survivors of sexual violence, dating or intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and other sexual misconduct.
• Assess survivor needs and develop individualized advocacy and support strategies using independent professional judgment.
• Consult and collaborate with campus partners to support coordinated institutional responses.
• Navigate complex and sensitive situations involving trauma, confidentiality, safety, and institutional response.
• Manage cases and confidential information with sound judgment, organization, follow-up, and discretion.
• Coordinate programs, facilitate groups, and deliver educational or support programming.
• Contribute to inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing programs and initiatives.
• Adapt to changing priorities and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level