Youth Engagement Specialist (Hilo) - Part Time

About Liliʻuokalani Trust

Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) is a private operating foundation committed to the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of Native Hawaiian youth and their ʻohana. LT delivers culturally grounded, healing-centered programs across the pae ʻaina through a range of service settings, meeting youth and families where they are.

Trust programs reflect an assets-based philosophy that honors Hawaiian values, elevates youth strengths, and builds pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity for all youth we serve.

Job Purpose

The Youth Engagement Specialist I (YES I) is a frontline youth development practitioner who supports safe, welcoming, and engaging environments for youth across Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) programs and sites.

Essential Responsibilities

• Build and maintain respectful, positive relationships with youth, families, and community members
• Encourage youth participation in LT programs and services and foster a strong sense of belonging among program participants
• Model appropriate behavior, healthy relationships, and effective communication
• Support youth by responding to behavioral escalations appropriately and respectfully, and by providing appropriate follow-up as determined by program teams
• Auxiliary support for youth voice in program development and decisions, as appropriate
• Engage in outreach activities to recruit new program participants and raise awareness of LT programs and services
• Assist with welcoming participants and families to program spaces
• Assist with the facilitation of youth-facing programs, activities, and groups
• Execute pre-established program plans, making contextual adjustments as appropriate to adapt to environment and participant need
• Prepare materials and reset program spaces before and after activities
• Support program transitions and participation logistics, including signing participants in and out and assisting with movement throughout spaces
• Contribute to maintaining safe and supportive program environments and follow expectations for upholding safety protocols and supervision ratios
• Assist with participant transportation
• Absorb and respond to high-risk situations; know when to escalate a decision or response
• Contribute to a healthy team and program community; communicate observations and concerns to supervisors
• Participate in team meetings, Communities of Practice, and trainings
• Accept new assignments, support team members, and strive to improve organizational impact
• Participate in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development
• Work holiday, evening, and weekend hours as needed
• Travel as needed for Trust business

Practice Expectations

• Works well within structure and demonstrates sound judgment
• Able to execute a pre-established program plan, making adjustments as appropriate to adapt to context and environment
• Works well as part of a multidisciplinary team, exhibiting respectful interactions with colleagues
• Sets and seeks assistance for high-risk situations; knows when to escalate a decision or response
• Actively committed to ongoing development of facilitation and behavior management skills
• Maintains professional conduct and reliability

Qualifications

• Two year degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Psychology, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with youth in a program, school, community, or residential setting
• Demonstrated commitment to working with Native Hawaiian communities and youth
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with young people and families
• Ability to work as part of a team and follow program structures and protocols
• Valid driver's license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance
• TB clearance required
• First Aid and CPR/AED Certification preferred
• Criminal history background check required as part of pre-employment process

Key Required 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.
• Relationship Building and Emotional Intelligence: Relatable, self-aware and empathetic with strong emotional intelligence.
• Culture Competence: Ready to support the Trust as it applies a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to all aspects of work.
• Organization Competencies: Alignment with Queen’s Legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s story, her legacy, and the Hawaiian culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families, and communities.
• Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Hoʻike i na Manaʻo Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
• Noʻonoʻo Loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates information; develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations.
• Hoʻokumu Aʻe / ʻImi Hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
• Pilina Hoʻohana a me ka Hana Hilinaʻi (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.
• Hoʻonui i ka ʻIke (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking on uneven terrain.
• Some outdoor work on land assets is expected.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

• As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.
• Job Title: Youth Engagement Specialist I
• Reports To: Manager, Kīpuka Services
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Aligned Executive: President and CEO
• Site: Kīpuka Hilo
• Department: Youth Programs
• 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.