Youth Engagement Specialist I - Gym (Part-Time)

Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) supports safe, welcoming, and engaging environments for Native Hawaiian youth through its programs and sites. The Youth Engagement Specialist I (YES I) is a frontline youth development practitioner who builds trusting relationships, supports youth participation, assists with program facilitation, and maintains operational reliability. YES workers are integral to the holistic wraparound supports provided to youth and their families.

About the Liliʻuokalani Center

Informed by a deep understanding of the adolescent experience and grounded in Hawaiian culture, the Liliʻuokalani Center provides Native Hawaiian youth with opportunities to connect with peers and mentors, access supportive services, and explore pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity. As LT’s newest initiative, the Center serves as a vibrant youth hub where kamaliʻi can learn, play, and build connections. It is a safe, pro-social space where youth are inspired to pursue their dreams through the arts, sports, technology, life readiness, and wellness while receiving wraparound supports to help them thrive.

Responsibilities

• Youth Engagement & Community Building
  • Build and maintain respectful, positive relationships with youth, families, and community members.
  • Encourage youth participation in LT programs and foster a strong sense of belonging.
  • Model appropriate behavior, healthy relationships, and effective communication.
  • Respond to behavioral escalations appropriately and provide follow-up as determined by program teams.
  • Support the inclusion of youth voice in program development and decisions.
  • Welcome participants and families to program spaces.
  • Engage in outreach to recruit new participants and raise awareness of LT programs.
• Program Facilitation
  • Assist with the facilitation of youth-facing programs, activities, and groups.
  • Execute pre-established program plans, making contextual adjustments as needed.
  • Prepare materials and reset program spaces before and after activities.
  • Support program transitions, including signing participants in and out and assisting with movement throughout spaces.
  • Maintain safe and supportive program environments, adhering to safety protocols and supervision ratios.
  • Assist with participant transportation as needed.
• Enrollment & Administrative Support
  • Assist with participant intake, program enrollment, and welcoming new kamaliʻi and ʻohana.
  • Complete data entry of registration and consent forms, including DocuSign.
  • Document activities and participant behaviors.
  • Provide operations support, including program logistics, front desk and phone coverage, NetSuite, mileage logs, and vendor appointments.
• Team & Community Contribution
  • Contribute to a healthy team and program community; communicate observations and concerns to supervisors.
  • Participate in team meetings, Communities of Practice, and trainings.
  • Support the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, assisting team members, and improving organizational impact.
  • Engage in continuing education and professional development opportunities.
  • Work holiday, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
  • Travel as needed for Trust business.
• Practice Expectations
  • Work well within structure and demonstrate sound judgment.
  • Execute pre-established program plans, making adjustments as appropriate.
  • Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team with respectful interactions.
  • Escalate high-risk situations and seek assistance when needed.
  • Commit to ongoing development of facilitation and behavior management skills.
  • Maintain professional conduct and reliability.

Requirements

• 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.

Skills & Competencies

• Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, families, community partners, and multidisciplinary 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 to engage listeners and invite feedback. Demonstrates strong written, oral, and listening skills.
• Cultural Competence: Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds; sensitive to group differences. Experience working with vulnerable and systems-involved youth.
• Relationship Management: Works collaboratively with staff at all levels; promotes and sustains positive workplace values and relationships.
• Interpersonal Skills: Works well under pressure, remains calm in difficult situations, and addresses issues promptly.
• Relationship Building & Emotional Intelligence: Relatable, self-aware, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent.
• Organization Competencies:
  • Alignment with Queen’s Legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s story, her legacy, and Hawaiian culture as foundational to working with Hawaiian children, families, and communities.
  • Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning.
  • Hoʻike i na Manaʻo Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates consistently to achieve mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
  • Noʻonoʻo Loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively conceptualizes, analyzes, and evaluates information to develop fact-based recommendations.
  • Hoʻokumu Aʻe / ʻImi Hakuhia (Innovation): 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 opportunities and move the organization forward.
  • Alu Like i ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively in alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Hoʻonui i ka ʻIke (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and belief in others’ capacity.

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.