CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

Director, Direct Services

  • Requisition no: 540248
  • Work type: Full Time
  • Location: Morningside
  • School/Department: Columbia Health
  • Grade: Grade 14
  • Categories: Health/Clinical, Other, General Administration
  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • Hours Per Week: 35
  • Salary Range: $98,000 - $125,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
 

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 managers on the direct services team) including but not limited to consultation, crisis intervention, case supervision, and in-person response and support.

The Director 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.

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


Responsibilities

Direct Services (55%)

  • 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.

Personnel Management and Administration (30%)

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Ensure all content on SVR webpage is current and relevant to the campus community.
  • Responsible for updating program outreach materials, print, and web publications; create and distribute materials to publicize services, prevention, and risk reduction educational materials, and special events announcements.
  • Develop and maintain systems for communication strategies and published reports on relevant issues and University policies and procedures.
  • Compile and prepare Direct Services statistics for incidents reported to SVR; research and develop reports as requested by the Senior Executive Director

Training, Prevention, Educational Program Development and 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.

Other duties as assigned (5%)


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Minimum 5 years ‘experience suited to leadership of a survivor services program with experience leading and supervising professional and student staff.
  • Strong subject matter expertise in trauma-informed practices and in sexual and intimate partner violence prevention, advocacy, crisis management, 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.
  • Experience providing effective crisis counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals to primary and secondary survivors of sexual, intimate partner and gender-based violence; stalking/high-tech stalking, and or harassment.
  • Able to confidently interact with all levels of leadership/management including senior and executive management.
  • Must be able to manage highly sensitive and confidential communications, records, files, materials, and data.
  • 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 requirements, and make decisions based on qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Experience in strategic planning, knowledge in organization and group dynamics, employee and student development in a higher education setting or multifaceted organizations.
  • Requires exceptional communication skills, including written and verbal.
  • Must be skilled at multitasking and have the ability to stay organized, with great attention to detail, and competing priorities.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a growing, dynamic team in a complex environment; demonstrated commitment to team and staff development.
  • 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.
  • Strong computer skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in higher education, social work, trauma therapy, public health, human services or closely related field
  • Experience and or training in anti-oppression education and practice.
  • Familiarity with on and off campus support, reporting/adjudication options and NYC service providers.
  • Understanding of FERPA, Title IX, Clery Act, VAWA, NYS Enough Is Enough, and NYS Public Health Law.
  • Experience working with college students and interest in higher educational setting.  

Other Requirements

  • Working Hours
    • Required to participate in a 24-hour, 7 days per week, and year-round on-call supervision rotation [include evenings, weekends, and holidays]
    • Normal business hours: In general, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
    • After Hours defined as 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m. Monday - Friday, and 12:00 a.m. - 11:59: p.m. weekends and holidays
    • On-call: Being available during scheduled rotation 24/7 for crisis counseling calls and in-person response. In cases where on-site support is required, staff is expected to respond within a reasonable period of time 
  • 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 intimate 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. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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