Student Services Specialist (Confidential Advocate, 0097163T)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Confidential Advocate within Student Services at Honolulu Community College. The specialist provides confidential advising and advocacy to students, faculty, and staff who report incidents of sex discrimination or gender-based violence. This role is a primary intake point and first line of support for individuals in crisis, involving assessments, clarifying needs, and connecting individuals to campus and community services. The specialist will educate and advocate regarding discrimination policies, grievance processes, supportive measures, safe zones, and related resources. Enhancing safety through risk assessments, safety planning, and implementation of supportive measures using best-practice tools is a key function. The role supports reporting parties through informal and formal University processes, including document preparation, hearings, and serving as a process advisor when appointed. Facilitating informal resolution and alternative dispute resolution processes is also part of the duties. The position requires maintaining strict confidentiality in compliance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations, including Title IX, the Clery Act, and VAWA. Additionally, the specialist will develop and deliver culturally appropriate prevention, wellness, and educational programming in collaboration with the Title IX Coordinator and campus units. This includes providing workshops, trainings, outreach, and campus-wide initiatives to promote mental health, wellness, inclusion, and violence prevention. Creating and disseminating educational content and evaluating the impact of educational efforts on campus climate are also responsibilities. The role involves documenting case-related information, referrals, and follow-ups while protecting privacy, and collecting/reporting aggregate service-related data for University reporting requirements. Ensuring University compliance with state and federal laws related to discrimination, harassment, and violence prevention is crucial. The specialist will participate in various campus committees and teams, build capacity across campus to respond to wellness issues, and collaborate with various stakeholders to improve institutional response. Keeping abreast of current literature and best practices is expected. The position may require evening or weekend support and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

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.
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.
Ability to travel to neighbor-island campuses during the work week, as needed.

Nice To Haves

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 Hawai'i license in counseling, social work, or a related discipline.
Certification as a victim advocate at the state (Hawai'i) or federal level.
Demonstrated experience with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes.
Prior experience supporting or conducting internal investigations, litigation, or comparable proceedings.

Responsibilities

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, VAWA, and Hawai'i Rules of Evidence 505.5 (including the required 35-hour training).
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.
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.
Participates in Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) / Coordination, Assessment, Response, and 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.
Supports overall campus response efforts by assisting with direct services related to crisis intervention, mental health assistance, and other supportive efforts.
Provides evening or weekend support as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.