Student Services Specialist (Confidential Advocate, 0097483T)

University of Hawaii System; Dihlabeng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 854 000 - 1 197 000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution is seeking a Student Services Specialist to provide confidential advocacy and support to students and staff dealing with discrimination and gender-based violence. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant field, experience in crisis counseling, and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include developing educational programs and ensuring compliance with federal laws. This is a full-time, temporary position with potential for conversion to permanent.

Qualifications

• Possession of 3 years of experience in advocacy or crisis counseling.
• Working knowledge of federal and state laws related to discrimination and violence prevention.
• Ability to interpret and present information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential advising and advocacy to individuals reporting incidents of sex discrimination.
• Develop and deliver culturally appropriate educational programs.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal laws regarding discrimination.

Skills

Crisis counseling

Advocacy

Cultural responsiveness

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Baccalaureate degree in counseling, social work, gender studies, or related field

Job description

Title: Student Services Specialist (Confidential Advocate)

Position Number: 0097483T

Hiring Unit: Student Services

Location: Leeward Community College

Date Posted: November 6, 2025

Closing Date: November 21, 2025, 11:59 PM HST

Band: B

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary with the possibility of conversion to permanent

Other Conditions: general funds, pending position clearance, availability of funds, and actual staffing requirements. To begin 12/2025, pending availability of funds and actual staffing requirements. Assignments may include day, evening, and/or weekend at all Leeward Community College locations - Pearl City, Waianae Moku, and satellite sites such as Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center, and other UH campuses and sites.

Duties and Responsibilities

Advocacy & Direct Support

• **Provides confidential advising and advocacy to students, faculty, and staff reporting incidents of sex discrimination or gender-based violence.
• **Serves as a primary intake point and first line of support for individuals in crisis, conducting assessments, clarifying needs, and facilitating connections to the most appropriate campus and community services.
• **Offers education and advocacy regarding discrimination policies, grievance processes, supportive measures, safe zones, and related resources.
• **Enhances safety through risk assessments, safety planning, and implementation of supportive measures, using best-practice tools.
• **Supports reporting parties through informal and formal University processes, including document preparation, hearings, and serving as a process advisor when appointed.
• **Facilitates informal resolution and alternative dispute resolution processes when appropriate.
• **Maintains confidentiality in compliance with HRS § 304A-120 (2016), Title IX, the Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and Hawaii Rules of Evidence 505.5 (including the required 35-hour training).

Prevention & Education

• **Develops and delivers culturally appropriate prevention, wellness, and educational programming in collaboration with the Title IX Coordinator and campus units.
• **Provides workshops, trainings, outreach, and campus-wide initiatives to promote mental health, wellness, inclusion, and violence prevention.
• **Creates and disseminates educational content (e.g., websites, social media) on advocacy services, policies, and resources.
• **Evaluates the impact of educational efforts on campus climate, identifying trends, implicit/explicit bias, and systemic issues to recommend improvements.

Process & Compliance

• **Documents case-related information, referrals, and follow-ups in a manner that protects privacy.
• **Collects, maintains, and reports aggregate service-related data to fulfill University reporting requirements.
• **Ensures the University’s compliance with state and federal laws related to discrimination, harassment, and violence prevention.

Collaboration & Campus Engagement

• **Participates in Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), Community Assessment, Response & Education (CARE) team, Prevention, Awareness, Understanding (PAU) Violence Coalition, and other committees or task forces to strengthen campus well-being and safety.
• **Builds capacity across campus to recognize and respond to wellness issues, providing appropriate referrals and follow-up.
• **Collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to develop culturally responsive practices and improve institutional response to misconduct and violence.
• **Supports campus climate by engaging in outreach, professional development, and leadership opportunities aligned with the University’s strategic plan and mission.
• **Keeps abreast of current literature, professional best practices, and relevant associations.
• Provides evening or weekend support as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in counseling, social work, gender studies, social sciences or related field and three (3) year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for providing direct advocacy and/or crisis counseling related to discrimination, sexual misconduct, and gender-based violence, including but not limited to sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and domestic or dating violence; 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 delivering crisis and/or advocacy services for victims of sex discrimination and gender-based violence, including domestic or dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and harassment 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 Title IX and VAWA compliance for educational institutions receiving federal assistance.
• 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 and apply word processing software and spreadsheet software.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients, including students, faculty and staff as well as community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes, and resolve the full range of problems that may commonly occur in the delivery of advocacy services for victims of sex discrimination and gender-based violence.
• Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated skills in advocacy, advising, and interpersonal counseling.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop educational programming and conduct effective training and workshops for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to operate video conference, including scheduling meetings, creating and managing webinar events (e.g., setting up and monitoring registration, sending reminders to registrants, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to identify, manage, and resolve conflicts in a positive and constructive manner.
• Demonstrated ability to be sensitive to cultural and educational diversity and ability to communicate and interact effectively with people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
• Ability to work outside of regular work hours if necessary, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Able to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner.
• Ability to travel to neighbor‑island campuses during the work week, as needed.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field.
• Experience providing direct advocacy and/or crisis counseling in a university, college, or community college setting.
• Knowledge of institutional obligations under Title IX and the VAWA.
• Current State of Hawaii license in counseling, social work, or a related discipline.
• Certification as a victim advocate at the state (Hawaii) or federal level.
• Demonstrated experience with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes.
• Prior experience supporting or conducting internal investigations, litigation, or comparable proceedings.

Application Submission

Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents:

1. Cover letter explaining how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications,
2. Resume,
3. Graduate and undergraduate transcript(s) showing the name of institution, degree conferred and coursework to date appropriate to the position (Copies of official transcripts are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required at the time of hire. Diplomas and copies will NOT be accepted). All degree(s) and/or credit(s) must be earned from regionally or nationally accredited postsecondary colleges and universities recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Transcripts issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course‑by‑course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.)

NOTE: Transcripts must be attached to receive credit for degree(s).

Separate documents and application materials must be submitted for each position. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. If multiple applications are received from the same candidate, only the last one will be reviewed. The application will be considered incomplete if any of the required documents/materials are not included or are unreadable. Applications lacking transcripts will be reviewed on work experience equivalency to meet minimum qualifications (MQs). MQs must be met by the closing date of the advertisement. Please REDACT references to social security numbers and birthdate on submitted documents. All requested documents/information become the property of Leeward Community College and will not be returned.

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Inquiries:

Leeward Community College
Human Resources Office
808‑455‑0326
[e-mail]

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/

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/