Career opportunities

Lumina Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1979. Our mission is to empower those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence through innovative advocacy, healing, and prevention programs.

Services include 24/7 crisis and information line, case management, accompaniment and advocacy, emergency shelters, transitional housing, individual and group therapy, and robust prevention education.

Our team is made up of individuals full of passion, integrity, and empathy, all of whom bring their unique strengths and insights with them as we all work together to create a safe, thriving, and equitable community. We post all job openings on this page, so check back regularly for any new openings. Learn more about us.

The hiring process

  • To apply for an open position, submit your resume and a cover letter or personal statement explaining why you are interested in working at Lumina Alliance.

    Email both documents to Careers@LuminaAlliance.org. Be sure to include the job title, followed by your name in the subject line.

  • Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide!

    Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

  • Job Duties: These are the core responsibilities specific to the role, above and beyond general expectations like adhering to our core values, or professionalism and teamwork. These duties help define how your work directly contributes to Lumina’s mission of supporting survivors and creating a safer, more equitable community.

    Qualifications: These are the skills, experiences, and attributes that our ideal candidate would bring. Think of these as a wish list, not a checklist. If you don’t meet every qualification, that’s okay—we recognize that experience and growth happen on the job!

    Key Characteristics: These are qualities we believe help people thrive at Lumina Alliance—things like empathy, adaptability, and a passion for social justice. They’re not always easy to capture on a resume, but they play a big role in success.

    Requirements: These are non-negotiables—things you absolutely must have in place before you can be hired. They may include specific licenses, certifications, or language proficiency. While we review every complete application (resume and cover letter) we receive, if you do not meet all of the listed requirements, it is unlikely that the hiring team will move forward with an interview.

    Understanding Lumina’s Salary Schedule: Lumina Alliance utilizes a salary schedule to set wages. This promotes transparency and fairness by tying compensation to clearly defined milestones. Most positions are hired at Step 1 of the applicable range unless the candidate brings directly comparable experience or credentials that meet criteria for advanced placement. We strongly recommend reviewing the “Hiring Wage” listed on each posting as the likely starting point. While ranges are listed for transparency, the top step is not the hiring wage—and applicants should not expect to be placed there initially.

  • A team member from People & Culture or the Hiring Manager for the position will contact you if they would like to move forward with your application.

Job opportunities

  • Read Full Job Description Here

    Hours: 40 hours/week, full time, Non-Exempt

    Location: Paso Robles

    Salary Range: $23.00 - 25.89 (Bilingual differential of $1/hr)

    Purpose and Responsibilities

    Reporting to the Client Services Director, the Bilingual Client Advocate provides immediate crisis counseling, advocacy, and accompaniment services to individuals contacting Lumina Alliance through the 24-hour crisis & information line or walk in to our offices. This role supports emergency and scheduled client needs and ensures access to vital resources and support. 


    Job Duties

    • Provide immediate crisis counseling and case management in-person and by phone during office hours. 

    • Support volunteer advocates and staff during after-hour back-up shifts as needed. 

    •  Accompany clients to detention facilities, forensic medical exams, law enforcement interviews, shelter intake appointments, court appointments, and other critical services as needed. 

    • Provide personal advocacy and resource navigation to clients.

    • Maintain accurate client records, case notes, and databases.

    • Keep community resources and referral information up to date. 

    • Participate in regular all-staff meetings and other Lumina Alliance meetings.

    • Complete other duties as assigned by a Client Services Director.


    Qualifications

    • Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish is required.

    • High school diploma or GED; Preferred associates degree in related field, human services, psychology, social sciences or sociology and/or education or experience working in victim services

    • Knowledge of sexual assault and intimate partner violence issues, social systems, cultural awareness, listening skills, and basic crisis intervention techniques highly preferred 


    Key Characteristics

    • Bilingual and bi-literate in English & Spanish

    • Excellent interpersonal skills 

    • Compassionate with the instinct for open communication and collaborative, respectful relationships

    • Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitivity to client needs

    • Professional team player that is punctual, reliable and is able to establish and maintain effective work relationships  

    • Must be able to work independently and have excellent problem-solving skills 

    • Able to think clearly and respond appropriately in crisis situations 

    • Able to work effectively with diverse groups of people 

    • Possess strong written and verbal communication skills

    • Experience with MS Office, Google Workspace, and ability to learn new software systems and technologies

    • Willingness to work flexible hours


    Requirements

    • Must satisfactorily pass a Live Scan background check, paid for by employer.

    • Completion of Lumina Alliance’s 65-hr California State Certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Crisis Counselor Training (provided as on-the-job training).

    • Must have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation.

    To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Careers@LuminaAlliance.org. The position is open until filled.

  • Read Full Job Description Here

    Hours: 40 hours/week, full time, Exempt

    Location: San Luis Obispo County

    Salary Range: $33.00-37.14(Bilingual differential of $1/hr)

    Job Duties

    Compliance & Risk Management

    • Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local employment laws and workplace safety requirements

    • Oversee HR-related components of funder and grant compliance, keeping records, training logs, and personnel files organized and audit-ready

    • Advise and support the Admin Team and Board on sensitive or complex personnel matters (e.g., severance agreements, investigations, litigation)

      HR Operations & Systems

    • Manage HR systems and processes, including HRIS, personnel records, and reporting

    • Supervise and support People & Culture staff, ensuring tasks and responsibilities are carried out effectively

    • Develop, update, and implement policies and procedures that are clear, legally compliant, and aligned with Lumina’s culture and core values, including the Employee Handbook

    • Monitor compensation practices, job structures, and benefits to support fairness, equity, and compliance

    • Maintain positive relationships with related vendors and service providers

    Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

    • Lead recruitment and hiring practices that are inclusive, equitable, and values-driven

    • Partner with leadership to plan for staffing needs and ensure effective onboarding of new employees

    • Oversee staff benefits, leave administration, and workplace accommodations, ensuring processes are clear, compliant, and supportive of staff needs

    • Coach and support supervisors in addressing performance concerns, conflict resolution, and corrective action in a way that is consistent, legally compliant, and aligned with the agency’s core values

    • Partner with leadership to identify and respond to patterns in employee relations and performance that may impact retention, turnover, and overall staffing stability, and recommend strategies to strengthen workplace culture

    Training & Professional Development

    • Develop and coordinate staff training opportunities, including compliance topics and professional development

    • Support and coach supervisors in building their skills in performance management, leadership, and trauma-informed supervision

    • Oversee staff evaluation processes and ensure they are constructive, consistent, and aligned with organizational goals

      Staff Engagement, Wellness & Culture

      • Lead initiatives that strengthen staff engagement, wellness, retention, and recognition.

      • Gather and analyze staff feedback through surveys, interviews, and other methods, and share recommendations with agency leadership

      • Track and report on key trends and metrics to inform decision-making

      • Co-chair the DEI Committee and support other committees as needed

      • Ensure all HR practices are guided by Lumina’s core values and a trauma-informed, equity-centered approach


    Key Characteristics

    • Leads with empathy and respect – responds to staff needs with patience and a trauma-informed mindset, supporting wellness and a safe workplace culture

    • Acts with integrity and professionalism – models ethical HR practice, maintains confidentiality, and builds trust and credibility across the organization

    • Communicates clearly and directly –explains policies, procedures, and employment laws in plain language, and engages in honest, respectful conversations

    • Balances compliance and culture –ensures Lumina meets legal and funder requirements while aligning policies and practices with the agency’s core values

    • Coaches and develops others – supports supervisors with feedback, training, and guidance on performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, and leadership development

    • Maintains calm and curiosity – approaches situations thoughtfully, resists jumping to conclusions or making assumptions, and takes time to fully understand issues before responding

    • Adapts to change – remains steady and solutions-focused in times of organizational growth or shifting priorities

    • Problem-solves creatively – applies knowledge and best practices to find or design fair, practical, and values-aligned solutions

    • Centers equity and inclusion – integrates an equity lens into recruitment, policies, and daily HR practices to ensure fairness and belonging for all staff

    • Builds strong relationships – collaborates across all levels of the organization, promotes trust, and fosters teamwork and connection


    Preferred Qualifications

    • Knowledge of California employment laws and regulations, with the ability to interpret and apply them in practical workplace settings

    • Understanding of core compliance areas such as wage and hour, leave, and workplace safety, with experience ensuring organizations remain compliant

    • Experience with HRIS systems (Paycom preferred), along with comfort using technology and data to improve processes and inform decision-making

    • Demonstrated success in creating, maintaining, or reshaping HR practices to center staff experience, workplace culture, and organizational values, rather than focusing only on administrative requirements

    • Experience supporting staff in environments where second-hand trauma, burnout, or high emotional demand is common, ideally within nonprofit or direct-service organizations

    • Proven ability to build strong relationships and coach others, with skills in conflict resolution, communication, and teaching or training

    • Experience directly supervising staff or leading a team, including responsibility for setting priorities and ensuring accountability

    • Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are a plus, though not required


    Requirements

    • Must satisfactorily pass a Live Scan background check, paid for by employer.

    • Completion of Lumina Alliance’s 65-hr California State Certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Crisis Counselor Training (provided as on-the-job training).

    • Must have reliable transportation.

    To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Careers@LuminaAlliance.org

    This position is open until filled.

The interview process

  • Most positions typically have a two-step panel interview process:

    • Initial interview, typically virtual via Zoom or Google Meets

    • Second Round Interview, usually in person at our San Luis Obispo Office

    • Some departments and positions have brief skills demonstration presentations or related portions, skills tests

    Note:  Panel interviews consist of 2-4 current staff members and the applicant.

  • We recommend the following steps to prepare for your interview:

    • Carefully review the Job Description. Consider how your experiences align with the job, and be prepared to discuss your experience.

    • Review our website to get a basic understanding of the work we do and who we are.

    • Consider what is your “Why”? Why do you want to work at Lumina Alliance? Why are you interested in this particular position?

    • Write down any questions that come up for you as you have gone through this process. You will have an opportunity to ask our team questions throughout the interview process.

  • If you are a finalist for a position you can expect the following steps before an offer is made.

    • Reference Checks 

    • Live Scan Fingerprinting and DOJ and FBI background checks

    • Applications are reviewed by each department’s hiring team and response times may vary depending on scheduling availability, the number of applicants, and other departmental needs. We appreciate your patience during this process and encourage applicants to reach out with any questions.

    Once an offer is made: 

    • Requesting I-9 Documents be completed

    • Scheduling for the 65-hour training to become a state-certified crisis counselor (required of all staff)

Our core values

At Lumina Alliance our core values are more than a list on our website; we integrate them into all aspects of our work, agency meetings, policies, and documents. These values guide how we operate and interact.

  • Put People First — We recognize and value the whole person and their unique experiences. We treat every individual with respect, dignity, and kindness.

  • Honor Self-Care — We honor the needs of each individual. We respect healthy boundaries, encourage laughter and play, and foster growth and development in order to thrive.

  • Act with Integrity — We act with honesty, transparency, courtesy, and fairness in all that we do in order to foster collaboration, trust, and sustainability.

  • Seek Understanding — We approach people, ideas, and situations with an open heart and an open mind. We pursue growth and connection while acknowledging our impact.

  • Communicate with Courage — We speak intentionally and with authenticity. We establish shared expectations and deliver on our word. We hold one another accountable.

  • Foster Learning Culture — We learn from and share our mistakes. We create space for learning, evolving, and challenging the status quo through open communication and collaborative decision-making.

  • Empower One Another — We empower the people we serve, our community partners, each other, and ourselves to reach our fullest potential.

Employee benefits

Lumina Alliance does everything it can to support and empower our team, including offering the following benefits:

  • Generous health insurance benefits paid for by Lumina Alliance

  • Premium dental and vision insurance paid for by Lumina Alliance

  • Life insurance paid for by Lumina Alliance

  • IRA Retirement plan with matching employer contributions

  • At least 16 paid holidays throughout the year

  • Generous paid-time-off accruals with opportunities for more

  • Various engaging internal committees you can attend with paid time

  • Opportunities for professional growth and promotion within the agency

  • Generous pet accommodations

  • Hybrid work opportunities (varies based on position)

  • Family-friendly workplace and culture

Lumina Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

We strive to offer inclusive, accessible, and accommodating services to everyone in our community by centering & amplifying marginalized voices & experiences within the movement.