Youth Engagement Specialist I - LT Ranch

About the role

The Youth Engagement Specialist I (YES I) supports safe, welcoming, and engaging environments for youth across Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) programs and sites. The role focuses on building strong, trusting relationships, supporting youth participation and general engagement, assisting with program facilitation, and maintaining operational reliability within established program structures.

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 program facilitation, including preparing materials and resetting program spaces before and after activities
• Assist with welcoming participants and families to program spaces
• Support enrollment and administrative tasks, including participant intake, program enrollment, and data entry
• Contribute to a healthy team and program community; communicate observations and concerns to supervisors
• Participate in team meetings, Communities of Practice, and trainings
• Travel as needed for Trust business

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
• Able 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
• 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
• 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, Continuous Learning and Improvement, Effective Communication, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Innovation, Building Relationships and Creating Trust, Teamwork, Capacity Building

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: Director, LT Ranch
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Aligned Executive: President and CEO
• Site: LT Ranch
• Department: Programs
• Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer