Youth Engagement Specialist Full Time

The Youth Engagement Specialist (YES), under the direct supervision of the Kīpuka Youth Programs Team, will support program implementation and youth engagement for Kīpuka. This role includes assisting with program enrollment and working in collaboration with the kīpuka team, contributing to the program implementation and evaluation, and providing general support. The Specialist will work directly with youth involved in kīpuka programming, offering guidance and support, and may also be asked to provide administrative assistance as needed. YES are part of the holistic wraparound support services for kamaliʻi and their ʻohana.

About Kīpuka

Kīpuka are grounded in Hawaiian culture and values through a healing centered approach, with heightened focus elevating the strengths and innate values of all kamaliʻi. Kīpuka provide Hawaiian youth with opportunities to connect to caring adults, peers and mentors, receive supportive services, and discover pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity. Kīpuka are a hub for culture, creativity, healing, technology, and play, and will serve as a resource for kamaliʻi and their ʻohana. These safe spaces are located throughout the pae ʻaina where youth are inspired to pursue their dreams, including exploring pathways in the arts, sports, technology, and entrepreneurship while receiving wraparound support to help them reach their goals and become thriving kamaliʻi.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support all activities to maintain a safe and positive environment to serve kamaliʻi and their ʻohana
• Prepare the kīpuka for daily operations (materials for activities, maintain a clean and organized space, etc.)
• Support all youth programs and other team members in specific tasks.
• Support any administrative needs from the staff.
• Collaborate with the Youth Programs Teams to provide support for enrollment, engagement and programs at LT
• Work directly with youth involved in programming, providing guidance and support under the direction of the Youth Programs Teams
• Build and sustain trusting relationships with youth, ensuring that engagement strategies are rooted in authentic rapport that encourages participation, fosters belonging, and supports the overall success of kīpuka programs
• Assist with program planning, implementation and monitoring; this will include the facilitation of psychosocial educational groups.
• Assist with the opening, closing, and monitoring of facilities
• Assist with transportation, as needed
• Provide administrative support as needed, ensuring efficient coordination and documentation of program-related activities
• Participate in community outreach efforts, representing kīpuka at various events and ensuring a strong and positive presence in the community, driving awareness and enrollment
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity, ensuring that programs are culturally relevant
• Assist in collecting relevant data and contribute to preparing reports, helping to assess the impact and effectiveness of programs

Other Duties

• Contribute to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organization results collaborating as we strive to attain the Trust’s strategic goals
• Participate in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development
• Holiday, evening and weekend hours required as needed
• Others as needed and assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent experience
• At least 6 months to 1 year experience working with youth in a group setting
• Comfort with youth work, particularly engaging with vulnerable youth
• Valid driver’s license, clean traffic abstract
• First Aid, CPR/AED certified
• TB clearance

Liliʻuokalani Trust strongly believes in hiring individuals reflective of the community it serves, including lived experience, striving for representative diversity among its staff.

Job Competencies

• Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, families, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services.
• Ethical Practice: Models the highest level of ethics, integrity, LT values and social responsibility.
• Communication: Clearly conveys and receives information and ideas to individuals or groups that engages the listener and invites response and feedback. Demonstrates good written, oral, and listening skills.
• Cultural Competence: Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and is sensitive to group differences. Experience working with vulnerable youth and systems involved youth.
• Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; commitment and ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure, remain calm and controlled when faced with difficult situations. Strives for immediate address.

Travel Requirements

In alignment with our organizational competencies of Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork) and Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement), this position will require occasional travel across the island, inter-island, and out-of-state depending on the needs of the team and the organization. While travel may not always be a need, the ability to travel when required remains a crucial aspect of this position to successfully contribute to our concerted efforts to carry out our Queen’s legacy.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Organization Competencies

• Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.
• Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
• No’ono’o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations
• Ho’o kumu a’e or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
• Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.
• Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization’s objectives.
• Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental And Physical Demands

• Performs light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.

Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital/civil union status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, disability or veteran/military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.