Assistant Director of Advocacy & Engagement

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Advocacy & Engagement in the Department of Public Safety provides oversight of victim/witness services and strategic direction for enhancing the department’s response to Brown community members impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, bias-related incidents/hate crimes, and workplace violence. The Assistant Director will work directly with students, staff, and faculty who have been impacted by interpersonal violence to provide advocacy and support in navigating the criminal justice system.

The Assistant Director is responsible for assisting the Director of Advocacy, Engagement, and Communications with the management of day-to-day operations and works within a team to provide education and programming to the Brown community. This individual will work collaboratively with bureaus across the department to develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of programs, identify policies and procedures for review, and set goals for the academic year. This position will supervise a student staff of 50 and 1-2 full-time professional staff. The incumbent will oversee the division in the absence of the Director. This is an exceptional opportunity to manage a program at an Ivy League institution on a forward-thinking team.

The Department of Public Safety’s vision is to enhance the safety and security of the Brown Community by forming community partnerships. A partnership between a community and its police is one that creates an environment that is free from fear, one that is civil and respectful; which creates an environment for learning and creativity. Most importantly, the Department of Public Safety is committed to the belief that there is an intrinsic worth in all people and irreducible quality whose protection and benefit is the basis for police services. This is our commitment to honor the rights and provide for the needs of all people equally.

Major Responsibility: Program management and evaluation of systems and responses to interpersonal violence  35%

Supporting Actions:

• Track program statistics and maintain records to produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in accordance with CALEA/RIPAC accreditation standards
• Conduct ongoing research of trends and best practices in violence prevention and intervention, and along with program data, inform the response to interpersonal violence across the department
• Work to improve internal systems to ensure DPS is trauma-informed by developing training for officers and other staff

• Work with the Director to develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of the program, identify policies and procedures for review, and set goals for the academic year
• Participate in relationship-building and coalition work pertaining to the University’s response to interpersonal violence

Major Responsibility: Advocacy  20%

Supporting Actions:

• Provide survivors of crime, including sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, sexual or gender-based harassment, bias-related incidents/hate crimes, and workplace violence with trauma-informed support and advocacy
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and coordination of care to any member of the University affected by interpersonal violence
• Assist with court accompaniment and obtaining protective orders
• Educate survivors on their rights, criminal justice processes, and university processes; make referrals to both on and off-campus resources, including legal and financial referrals, housing and academic accommodations, mental health referrals, medical services coordination, Title IX referrals
• Assess for risks and coordinate with the Investigations Unit and departments across campus to assess needs, identify appropriate resources and interventions, and mitigate risks
• Carryout case reviews and case management, which includes monitoring follow-up and progress for ongoing cases, keeping victims apprised of the status and disposition of cases, informing a multidisciplinary team of client progress, and completing accurate and timely case notes
• Some evenings and weekends required
• Major Responsibility: Supervisory 25%

Supporting Actions:

Supervise an estimated 50 student employees as part of the Safewalk program, as well as 1-2 full-time professional staff Serve as the backup and provide oversight when the Director is out of office Work with the director to develop a yearly budget for the program Meet with the Director on a regular basis to assess and ensure that program requests and unit activities achieve division goals

Supporting Actions:

• Major Responsibility: Education and Engagement 20%
• Function as a liaison between DPS and the community to educate and spread awareness of department services and resources by creating and developing presentations, trainings, and other materials
• Manage departmental programs related to interpersonal violence, such as the Advocacy Care Packages program, Orientations, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week; and risk reduction programs, etc., and implement any new initiatives that are responsive to community needs
• Meet with student groups and participate in discussions and tabling events related to interpersonal violence/advocacy
• Conduct presentations to different groups
• Cultivate relationships with community-based organizations, national professional organizations, and other colleges and universities

 Position is free to make the following decisions:  

• Coordination of victim/witness support efforts among involved entities, e.g. Student Life, Residential Life, Women’s Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Chaplain’s Office, Dean of the College, Brown Center for Students of Color, Human Resources, Institutional Diversity and other departments as appropriate to all victims of and witnesses to crimes, particularly sexual assault, domestic violence, and/or bias-related/hate crimes reported to the Department of Public Safety.
• Handling of unusual requests/issues to address specific needs of the community.
• Expenditures for special services/special victims unit.

The following decisions depend on the position’s advice:

• Development and improvements of overall policies, procedures, and implementation of victim/witness support programs within the Department of Public Safety.
• Recommendations for improved education, systems, and response.

Dimensions

• Education and awareness for approximately 10,000 students and 4,000 staff/faculty regarding personal and public safety issues.
• Counsel faculty, staff, students, and student organizations campus-wide throughout the year regarding safety issues.
• Some travel required

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) preferred
• 5-7 years of experience in the field of criminal justice, social work, psychology, victim assistance, law enforcement, crisis intervention, or related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above

Job Competencies

• Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of interpersonal violence, trauma-based approaches to advocacy, and the ability to provide flexible support to primary and secondary survivors of interpersonal violence
• Must be able to connect with a wide range of audiences and communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and life experiences with a demonstrated understanding of how power and privilege play a role in underserved communities, who are disproportionately affected by sexual and domestic violence, from accessing institutions of accountability
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in complex, sensitive situations
• Basic understanding of contemporary issues regarding policing

Condition of Employment:

Flexible Schedule - The work hours of this position will vary depending on the needs of the clients and the community. In addition to normal day shift hours, there will be times when the Assistant Director will need to come in during the evening to meet with victims and to provide training to the community and departmental personnel. The functions of this position will generally require a significant amount of office work. However, there will be fieldwork that will require meeting victims at varying locations, traveling to meetings throughout the city, and appearances in courts. This position is hybrid-eligible, but largely depends on community needs.

Recruiting Start Date:

2023-09-26

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director of Advocacy & Engagement

Department:

Public Safety Office of the Chief

Grade:

Grade 10

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected] .

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer , Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.