Advocate: Students of Color & Historically Marginalized Groups - Eastern Mennonite University : Job Details

Eastern Mennonite University is a private Mennonite liberal arts university in Harrisonburg, Virginia known for academic excellence and affordability with a focus on service, social justice, and global engagement. With more than 2000 students studying at our main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia; at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania site; and online, EMU offers rigorous academic study at the undergraduate, graduate and seminary level.

EMU encourages students, faculty and staff to live their faith and values through service to others, peacemaking, cross-cultural engagement and sustainability. EMU also offers our employees the opportunity to embrace the educational experience for themselves and their dependents through tuition discounts, a university benefit.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EMU is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who would deepen the diversity of the University.

Job Title: Advocate for Students of Color and Historically Marginalized Groups

Department: Student Life

Schedule: Temporary, PT, 15 hours/week

Supervisor: Director of Safer Together

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Advocate for Students of Color and Historically Marginalized Groups will lead efforts to support justice-impacted, underserved, underrepresented, Black, and African American students at Eastern Mennonite University. This role focuses on developing and coordinating student support services while fostering a campus environment that promotes equity and inclusion. In collaboration with community organizations, employers, and government agencies, the Advocate will facilitate partnerships and deliver individual and group support. This position emphasizes raising awareness around the intersection of race and sexual violence and ensuring equitable access to resources for students from diverse backgrounds. This position requires a deep commitment to equity and inclusion and the ability to provide empathetic, confidential support to students.

Duties/Responsibilities:

* Advocacy and Support:

* Provide professional and confidential crisis response, advocacy, accompaniment, and referrals to students of color impacted by violence, including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, harassment, or systemic inequities.

* Assist students in navigating university and community resources, reporting mechanisms, and support services.

* Offer direct support to justice-impacted and underrepresented students to address barriers to success.

* Independently assesses high-risk situations, to include evaluation of an individual's physical and emotional state and assisting individuals in crisis.

* Maintains strict confidentiality of clients and records, providing disaggregate data for program assessment

* Program Development and Coordination:

* Develop and implement culturally responsive initiatives and support services for Black and African American students and other historically marginalized groups.

* Organize workshops, outreach events, and training sessions in collaboration with Safer Together staff and the Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT).

* Lead efforts to address the intersection of race and sexual violence, ensuring inclusivity in all programming.

* Serve on various department and campus committees and task forces, and participate in various initiatives and projects as appropriate.

* Community and Campus Collaboration:

* Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, EMU and government agencies to enhance resources and support for students of color.

* Collaborate with campus departments to improve policies and procedures addressing gender-based violence, focusing on equity and restorative justice.

* Serve on campus committees and contribute to initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

* Policy and Reporting:

* Assist in developing policies to close equity gaps and enhance programming effectiveness for historically marginalized students.

* Monitor and evaluate the impact of support services and programs, providing recommendations for improvement.

* Ensures compliance with all applicable University, State, and Federal laws and regulations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

* Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.

* Ability to operate calmly and effectively under stressful conditions.

* Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

* Knowledge of crisis intervention and advocacy principles and practices.

* Knowledge of community resources and referral options for people in crisis.

* Ability to provide resources, referrals, education, and advocacy for sexual conduct and for victims of hate crimes, bullying, and other discriminatory activities.

* Ability to provide non-therapeutic services for people in crisis.

* Knowledge of grief and loss theory, and responses to trauma.

* Knowledge of case management.

* Knowledge and understanding of clinical social work and mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards.

* Strong listening, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

* Knowledge of programs/services available to university constituents.

* Knowledge of laws, regulations in regards to Title IX and the Clery Act.

* Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

* Ability to manager multiple responsibilities and collaborate across diverse teams.

* Skilled in facilitating problem solving with individuals regarding personal, professional and/or academic priorities.

* Ability to effectively interpret needs and act as an advocate for a specified client population.

* Ability to respond with sensitivity and understanding to experiences and expressions of trauma caused by violent crimes, such as sexual violence and harassment.

* Attention to detail for accurately preparing, organizing, and maintaining accurate records, correspondence and coordinate information.

* Ability to take initiative, set goals, prioritize and organize job tasks and workload in order to meet deadlines, ability to complete work in a timely manner and communicate progress routinely.

* Demonstrated ability to think strategically, critically, and creatively.

* Ability to use a PC and software such as, Microsoft Office and Google.

* Ability to operate commonly used office equipment such as a copy machine, fax, phone, etc.

* Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with a wide variety of constituents.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field required; advanced degree preferred Demonstrated experience working with Black and African American students or other historically marginalized groups in an advocacy or support role. Knowledge of Title IX, trauma-informed practices, and culturally responsive programming. Experience working in a university setting preferred.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The employee must occasionally travel to meetings and conferences off campus, which may include some overnight travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

This position requires a deep commitment to equity and inclusion and the ability to provide empathetic, confidential support to students. Please submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for an interview.