Advocate: Family Assistance Counselor
Honolulu, HI | Full-Time | $44,000/yearly
Are you passionate about empowering families and supporting survivors of intimate partner violence? Join our team as a Family Assistance Counselor (FAC) and make a lasting impact in your community. In this role, you’ll walk alongside survivors on their journey toward safety, healing, and self-sufficiency—providing long-term advocacy, crisis support, and parenting guidance to help families rebuild and thrive.
What We Offer:
- 100% paid Medical, Dental & Vision (UHA)
- 14 Paid Holidays, including your birthday off!
- Up to 6+ weeks annual PTO, with accrual starting Day 1!
- 401K Retirement Plan (Mutual of America)
- Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, & FSA options
- Discounts at local businesses across the island
- M-F work schedule, 8:30am-4:30pm
- A passionate, mission-aligned team making a daily impact
About the Role:
As a Family Assistance Counselor (FAC), you will provide long-term advocacy and support to survivors of intimate partner violence, with a focus on family healing and self-sufficiency. This role centers on building trusting relationships, strengthening protective parenting, and helping survivors navigate crisis, access resources, and stabilize their lives. Through one-on-one support, group facilitation, and community collaboration, you will play a key role in empowering families to heal, grow, and thrive.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
- At least three (3) years of experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma and are navigating life changes, overcoming barriers, or improving their living conditions.
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills (verbal and written).
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and remain calm under pressure.
- Demonstrated experience supporting individuals in crisis
- Cultural competence and the ability to support clients with empathy and strength-based guidance.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience facilitating support groups.
- Familiarity with the justice system and community resource networks.
- Knowledge of feminist perspectives on violence against women.
- Prior experience in nonprofit or community-based organizations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct assessments of survivors referred to DVAC’s Pūlama I Ka ʻOhana (PIKO) program and assist in developing individualized Service Plans.
- Provide long-term advocacy and support for survivors seeking safety, parenting support, and access to community resources.
- Facilitate group sessions for non-offending parent survivors of intimate partner violence—individually or with a co-facilitator.
- Lead or co-lead parent-child groups (ages 7–18) that focus on strengthening relationships and improving communication.
- Facilitate age-appropriate groups for children that promote healing, emotional expression, and personal growth.
- Provide crisis support, safety planning, and accompaniment to court or other community-based appointments.
- Advocate for clients across systems, while encouraging self-advocacy and empowerment.
- Maintain strict client confidentiality and adhere to all PIKO program policies and procedures.
- Attend at least four relevant trainings per year to stay current with best practices and agency standards.
- Maintain accurate and timely case notes and documentation.
- Communicate and collaborate with other DVAC staff to ensure coordinated care, including proper documentation of shared clients.
- Track and report monthly service statistics in a timely manner.
- Perform additional duties as needed to support program and agency goals.
- Report directly to the ʻOhana Program Manager.
We believe all persons should be treated with equality, dignity and fairness. With high quality and culturally sensitive programs, delivered with integrity and compassion we are creating safety and self-sufficiency for survivors and their children.
Apply today with your resume, cover letter, and three references.
