Confidential Survivor Advocate

Towson University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Towson University is hiring for Survivor Advocacy Services to provide confidential, trauma-informed advocacy and crisis response to students affected by sexual and interpersonal violence. The role includes needs assessments, safety planning, education on rights and resources, and coordinating with campus offices to secure academic, housing, and other accommodations.

The position emphasizes coordinating referrals, maintaining continuity of care, and collaborating with campus partners to enhance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Women’s and Gender Studies, or a closely related field.
• Two years of professional experience in survivor advocacy, victim services, case management, counseling support, higher education/student affairs, public health, or related direct service field.
• Must complete a nationally recognized 40-hour victim advocacy training within one year of hire and pursue credentials when eligible.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy principles and practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and university policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential, trauma-informed advocacy, support, and crisis response to students impacted by violence and related trauma.
• Assess needs, safety risks, and ongoing service needs; develop personalized safety plans.
• Assist students in navigating on- and off-campus support options and accommodations.
• Educate students on rights, reporting options, and available resources.
• Coordinate with university offices to access housing, employment, academics, and other supports.
• Accompany students to meetings and connect them with community advocacy services as needed.
• Maintain case coordination and follow-up to ensure ongoing connection to services.
• Coordinate referrals and warm handoffs to campus and community resources.

Skills

Trauma-informed advocacy

Case management

Crisis response

Student support services

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Responsibilities and Duties

Survivor Advocacy, Support, and Case Coordination:

• Provide confidential, trauma-informed advocacy, support, and crisis response services to students impacted by sexual violence, interpersonal violence, stalking, and related trauma.

• Conduct individualized needs assessments to identify immediate concerns, safety risks, barriers to support, and ongoing service needs.

• Assist students in developing personalized safety plans and navigating available support options both on and off campus.

• Educate students regarding their rights, reporting options, supportive measures, and available university and community resources.

• Support students in accessing academic, housing, employment, and other campus accommodations by coordinating with appropriate university offices.

• Accompany students, when appropriate, to university meetings and other university support processes, and assist students in connecting with community advocacy organizations for legal, court, and other external support services.

• Provide ongoing case coordination and follow-up to ensure students remain connected to appropriate services and support system.

Resource Navigation and Continuity of Care:

• Serve as a central point of contact for students seeking survivor-related support and assistance.

• Coordinate referrals and facilitate warm handoffs to university and community resources, including counseling, medical care, psychiatry, Office of Equity Compliance (Title IX), Dean of Students Office, law enforcement, and community-based service providers.

• Develop and maintain coordinated support plans that promote continuity of care and reduce barriers to accessing services.
  Monitor student progress and follow up as appropriate to ensure successful connection to recommended resources and support services.

Prevention Education and Outreach:

• Collaborate with the Department of Health Promotion and Prevention Education to support educational initiatives related to healthy relationships, consent, interpersonal violence prevention, survivor support, and available campus resources.

• Assist in the development and delivery of workshops, presentations, and educational programs designed to increase awareness of interpersonal violence and survivor support services.

• Participate in awareness campaigns, resource fairs, outreach events, and other prevention-focused initiatives that promote student well-being and safety.

• Support campus efforts to increase awareness of services and available survivor advocacy resources.

Campus Collaboration, Outreach, and Education:

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with campus and community partners to strengthen coordinated support systems for students impacted by interpersonal violence.

• Serve as a liaison among the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Office of Equity Compliance (Title IX), Dean of Students Office, TUPD, Health Promotion and Prevention Education, and community agencies.

• Participate in university committees, response teams, and working groups focused on student well-being, safety, violence prevention, and trauma-informed practices.

• Provide consultation, guidance, and resource information to faculty, staff, and campus partners regarding trauma-informed responses and available support services.

• Serve as SHAW's primary resource on survivor advocacy and trauma-informed response and contribute to institutional efforts to strengthen survivor-centered practices.

Program Development, Assessment, and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with applicable laws, university policies, and professional standards.

• Collect, analyze, and report utilization and service data to support assessment, program improvement, and strategic planning efforts.

• Contribute to annual reports, program evaluations, presentations, and other materials that communicate the impact of Survivor Advocacy Services.

• Develop and maintain program procedures, referral protocols, resource materials, and documentation practices that support effective service delivery and program sustainability.

• Assist in the development and implementation of future phases of Survivor Advocacy Services, including recommendations for program growth and enhancement.

Other duties as assigned:

• Perform other duties and special projects assigned in support of the mission and goals of Student Health and Well-Being and the Survivor Advocacy Services Initiative.

The work schedule for this position may include evenings and weekends as needed. Occasional local travel to community partner agencies, meetings, conferences, and professional development opportunities may be required.

Telework may be available for this position up to two days per week during summer and winter breaks, following the completion of 90 days of service in good standing and based on the operational needs of Survivor Advocacy Services.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Counseling, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Women's and Gender Studies, or a closely related field.

• Two years of professional experience in survivor advocacy, victim services, case management, counseling support, higher education/student affairs, public health, or a related direct service field.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and maintaining current knowledge of evolving laws, regulations, and best practices. Must complete a nationally recognized 40-hour victim advocacy training within one year of hire. Obtaining a nationally recognized victim advocacy credential (e.g., NACP Provisional Advocate) is expected as soon as eligibility requirements are met.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy principles and practices.

• Ability to interpret and apply applicable federal and state laws, regulations, university policies, and professional standards related to sexual and interpersonal violence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW), Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Higher Education/Student Affairs, Public Health (MPH), Public Administration (MPA), Human Services, Marriage and Family Therapy, Women's and Gender Studies, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of three years of experience providing survivor advocacy in a higher education, healthcare, or community-based victim services setting.

• Demonstrated experience developing survivor advocacy programs, coordinated response protocols, or campus education initiatives.

• Experience collaborating with Office of Equity Compliance (Title IX), higher education conduct systems, multidisciplinary response teams, or community victim service agencies.

• Experience serving in a confidential advocacy role.

• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and evidence-based approaches to supporting survivors of interpersonal violence.

Organization: Student Affairs Division

Primary Location: Main Campus

Job Posting: Sep 10, 2026