Rape Crisis Advocate

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of Associate Director for Counseling and Rape Crisis Services, assists in the provision of services of the daily operations of 24 hour comprehensive services for victims/survivors and the family and friends of victims/survivors of sexual and relationship violence, and participates in violence prevention efforts and education to meet grant, program, and departmental goals.

This is a grant-funded position with reappointment dependent on funding availability.

Essential Functions

• Provides short term peer counseling; crisis intervention; medical, legal and academic advocacy; safety planning; case management; and facilitates related support groups throughout Hampshire County.
• Responsibilities can include meeting and communicating with other service providers about clients.
• Complies with all relevant regulations, policies, standards, and protocols including those regarding privileged communication between rape crisis counselors and victims, and mandated reporting of abuse.
• Participates in the daily operations of 24 hour rape crisis services including ensuring scheduling and staffing of hotline, and providing and/or scheduling back-up to ensure coverage. Participates in training and selection and can provide supervision and support to program staff
• Participates in implementation of violence prevention outreach, education, and training for diverse populations.
• Maintains and completes timely reports to document accurate service data and other related administrative need such as travel, procard, etc. Generates relevant reports; participates in organizational and committee meetings; maintains positive working relationship with partners and stakeholders and provides consultation as assigned.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs and Campus Life.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
• Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
• Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associate's degree in related field or two or more years of college with related coursework.
• Relevant training and experience.
• Experience providing culturally responsive services for diverse communities.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, meet time sensitive deadlines, and prioritize workload with minimal supervision.
• A collaborative team approach to work, meets individual goals, and constructively provides, seeks, and implements feedback.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to utilize programs such as: Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, Box, and/or Google Docs.
• Driver's license and access to a vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree and 1-3 years of related experience; to include counseling.
• Experience working in the field of sexual and relationship violence.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: conducting training, developing curriculum, supervising staff and/or volunteers, recruitment and retention of staff, leading support groups, and/or working with teens.
• Completion of Rape Crisis Counselor or Domestic Violence Counselor training through a recognized Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence agency.
• Contemporary knowledge of current events, social movements, climate, and political trends broadly and those related to campus life especially. Experience working in a university setting and college communities.
• Bilingual.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Ability to travel to other work related sites.
• Work is performed in a noisy, crisis response environment.

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week; 52 weeks per year.

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Salary Chart

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.