Victim / Survivor Advocate

Cornell University; Ithaca (MI); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University invites applications for a Campus Health Associate III within the SHARE Office to support confidential advocacy and survivor services. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, campus-wide collaboration, and multidisciplinary engagement to promote wellbeing and safety.

Hybrid work is available; flexibility for occasional evenings/weekends is required. A Master’s degree and relevant experience are preferred for candidates advancing this important campus mission.

Qualifications

• Advanced trauma-informed knowledge with experience in survivor support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to document sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in program coordination, group facilitation, and educational delivery.
• Knowledge of Title IX, campus resources, and crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential advocacy and support to survivors and coordinate institutional responses.
• Collaborate with the SHARE Office and campus partners to reduce risk and promote care.
• Deliver educational or support programming and contribute to health initiatives.

Skills

Trauma-informed knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Public speaking

Project management

Collaboration across campus

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Education

Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, student affairs, or a related field

Job description

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Cornell Health’s more than 200 employees collaborate to provide integrated and culturally-sensitive mental health, medical, health promotion, public health, student accommodations, and occupational medicine care and services. Dually focused on holistic health of Cornell students and well-being of the larger campus community, the unit supports readiness to learn, to participate fully in the Cornell experience, and to achieve academic, work, and life success. Cornell Health is nationally recognized for innovation and leadership, and is committed to an ongoing journey toward integrated, cost-effective, and community-based services and campus health initiatives.

The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives promotes a healthy campus environment and community through institutional leadership, educational initiatives, research and evaluation, and public engagement. The Skorton Center’s core focus areas are the promotion of student mental health and well-being, and the prevention of suicide, alcohol and other drug misuse, sexual violence, and hazing. Skorton Center staff also provide leadership for advancing Cornell’s Health Promoting Campus framework, coordinating cross-campus leadership structures that support implementation of population-level well-being strategies.

Cornell’s Sexual Harassment & Assault—Response & Education (SHARE) Office provides key services, training and education, advocacy and support for victims/survivors of harmful, threatening, or violent incidents. Support is provided for concerns including sexual assault and related misconduct, hazing, bias-related incidents, and other forms of victimization.

The Victim/Survivor Advocate supports Cornell’s comprehensive response to sexual violence, dating/intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and other forms of sexual misconduct. The position exercises independent professional judgment in assessing survivor needs, developing individualized advocacy strategies, and supporting coordinated institutional responses.

The focus of this job is to support the SHARE Office within the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives through confidential advocacy, institutional collaboration, and related activities to reduce risk, promote care, and enhance the health and safety of the Cornell community.

Success Factors

• Advanced trauma-informed knowledge and deep understanding of the varied experiences of survivors, enabling the exercise of independent professional judgment in assessing survivor needs, developing individualized advocacy and support strategies, consulting with campus partners, and navigating complex situations with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and listening skills, with an ability to build relationships and maintain trust, assess the needs of various stakeholders, and identify and advocate for achievable solutions.
• Demonstrated success with public speaking and the ability to speak to a wide range of audiences and communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and life experiences.
• Robust project management skills with the ability to multi-task and manage several projects at once in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment, with strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through on tasks and overarching priorities
• Strong commitment to collaborative work and demonstrated success working with colleagues and other student affairs professionals with varying work styles.
• Integrates values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout their work with clients and colleagues

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Please Note

There is no visa sponsorship for this position. This is a five-year term position with a salary of up to $91,000 per year.

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

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

University Job Title

Campus Health Associate III

Job Family

Health

Level

G

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Range

$82,735.00 - $98,574.00

Remote Option Availability

Hybrid

Company

Endowed

EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-11-05