Confidential Advocate (General Advocate)

University of Hawaii system; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Manoa CARES seeks a Confidential Advocate to provide confidential advocacy and counseling to students, faculty, and staff on academic grievances, conduct issues, and related university concerns. The role requires navigating university procedures and offering crisis support with discretion.

Collaborating with campus units, the advocate develops safety measures, connects individuals to resources, and maintains strict privacy standards, with some duties beyond

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Law, or related field with five (5) years of progressive advocacy/counseling experience.
• Knowledge of advocacy, counseling, and crisis response principles.
• Understanding of applicable federal and state laws related to general advocacy.
• Ability to resolve complex problems using creative reasoning and timely solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication; report preparation.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct general advocacy, confidential counseling and support to students, faculty, and staff regarding academic grievances, grade appeals, student conduct, workplace violence, and other university-related concerns.
• Assist campus members in navigating university procedures and accessing resources.
• Advise on rights, resources, processes, and options while delivering timely crisis support and referrals.
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality standards in all advocacy interactions and records.
• Coordinate with campus units to discuss needs and assist with supportive measures.

Job description

Confidential Advocate (General Advocate) (0097756) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

2026-02336

Department

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Manoa CARES

10/30/2026

Closing Date

11/17/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

Position Number:

0097756

Description

Title: Confidential Advocate (General Advocate)

Position Number: 0097756

Hiring Unit: OFFICE OF THE PROVOST, MANOA CARES

Location: UH at Manoa

Date Posted: October 30, 2026

Closing Date: November 17, 2026

Band: B

Salary : salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct general advocacy, confidential counseling and support, and consultation services to students, faculty, and staff regarding academic grievances, grade appeals, student conduct, workplace violence, and other general university-related concerns in compliance with university policies and procedures, and federal and state laws.
• Assists campus students, faculty, and staff in navigating and understanding university procedures and accessing university and community resources when responding to complaints or concerns related to academic grievances, grade appeals, student conduct, workplace violence, and other university-related matters.
• Advises students, faculty, and staff regarding rights, resources, processes, and available options while delivering timely crisis support and referrals as needed.
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality standards in all advocacy interactions, records, and communications.
• Connects students, faculty and staff with campus partners to initiate complaints through formal processes and may accompany students, faculty and staff in meetings, as needed.
• Conducts needs assessments and develops individual safety plans and supportive measures using evidence-based risk assessment tools and professional experience and best practices.
• Coordinates with administrators, faculty, campus partners, and appropriate resources to discuss individual needs and assist with supportive measures.
• Offers ongoing case support and follow-up care to impacted individuals, which may require on- or off-campus availability during non-business hours.
• Partners with key campus units, including academic and non-academic resource offices, Graduate Division, Office of Student Conduct, international programs and services, and other related programs to develop and deliver relevant, culturally responsive educational programming and training.
• Designs and conducts culturally competent prevention, wellness, outreach education, and programming in partnership with appropriate campus units to help strengthen the campus community's ability to understand, address, and prevent misconduct, conflict, and violence in alignment with the University's strategic plan, vision, and mission.
• Participates in regular unit meetings with CARES' leadership and members to align, integrate, and sustain campus wide initiatives consistent with the University's strategic plan, vision, and mission.
• Assesses the impact of educational efforts on campus climate, identifying recurring concerns, barriers, and patterns relevant to general advocacy to inform institutional recommendations and operational plans.
• Utilizes formal evaluation methods and metrics to measure the effectiveness and outcomes of educational programs.
• Complies with university policies and procedures, assisting with updates and policy revisions as appropriate.
• Collaborates with campus groups, task forces, and stakeholders to strengthen culturally appropriate institutional practices and responses to misconduct, violence, harassment, and other related issues.
• Builds and maintains professional working relationships with internal departments and external community partners.
• Maintains up-to-date expertise in general advocacy and related services by staying engaged with relevant literature, regulatory changes, and professional associations, as well as participating in ongoing training, conferences, and professional development.
• Provides advocacy support for Title IX or civil rights matters, when necessary, in order to meet essential coverage needs.
• Provide support, training, and supervision of student assistants as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.
• * Denotes Essential Function

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Law, or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, or related work; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated.
• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of general advocacy, counseling, and/or crisis response, as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with providing general advocacy and support.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and proficiency across Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Adobe, and Google platforms.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
• Ability to design, develop, and conduct educational programming and training for diverse campus audiences.
• Ability to independently plan, execute, and manage priority programs and initiatives for the university and community.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion while maintaining confidentiality standards.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, manage, and resolve conflicts constructively while managing complex priorities and responding to individuals in crisis.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural and educational diversity, with the ability to interact effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Ability to meet on and off campus during non-business hours outside regular business hours, as needed, and in accordance with applicable University policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience providing advising and supportive counseling.
• Demonstrated professional judgment and ability to independently plan, organize, and implement direct services.
• Demonstrated ability to listen sensitively and adapt communication to individuals¿ needs and circumstances.
• Ability to analyze institutional challenges, identify underlying individual or systemic factors, and implement effective solutions for advocacy and prevention efforts.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree, Juris Doctorate (J.D.), or Doctoral degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field with a focus on higher education or general advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience providing advocacy, crisis support, or related direct services for students, faculty, and staff in a university environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Hawaii's history, including significant historical conflicts and contemporary issues related to discrimination, equity, and access to higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and support the University of Hawaii at Manoa's responsibilities to the Indigenous people of Hawaii, including respect for and commitment to the preservation and advancement of Hawaiian language, culture, history, and traditions.
• Demonstrated experience in community building and outreach among diverse populations within Hawaii and UH Manoa environments.
• Demonstrated experience in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques.
• Current professional license in the State of Hawaii in counseling, social work, law, or a closely related field.
• Professional certification as a Victim's Advocate at the state (Hawaii) or federal level.

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Inquiries: Dr. Jennifer Matayoshi, 808-956-9373 [e-mail]

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/ , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/