Youth Engagement Specialist II (Hilo)

About the role

The Youth Engagement Specialist II (YES II) is an experienced youth development practitioner who independently designs and facilitates social-emotional learning and positive youth development programming, actively cultivates warm and welcoming community and program environments, and responds both proactively and reactively to complex youth needs.

Responsibilities

• Youth Engagement & Community Building
• Facilitate youth activities, groups, and structured learning experiences
• Create a safe and supportive environment that fosters belonging and positive identity formation for all program participants
• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with youth, families, and community members
• De-escalate conflict, manage group behavior, and adapt activities based on engagement levels and participant needs
• Mentorship, coaching, and guidance to youth in addressing presenting issues; motivate youth in their decision-making processes
• Model positive group management practices and maintain healthy relationships and appropriate physical and emotional boundaries with youth
• Develop and maintain strong outreach connections with individuals, families, groups, and communities to support program engagement and retention
• Communicate trends, concerns, and observations to supervisors; document incidents accurately and timely
• Program Design & Implementation
• Collaboratively lead the conceptualization and development of new program initiatives or enhancements to existing programming
• Design and facilitate social-emotional learning and positive youth development curriculum with fidelity to LT philosophy and cultural grounding
• As applicable, lead specialized programming in areas such as arts, culinary arts, athletics, technology, or other skill-based domains
• Coach youth toward individual growth and goal progression
• Track participant engagement, adjust instruction and programming in real time, and maintain accurate documentation
• Support program evaluation activities including data collection, registration and consent form management, and program outcome reporting
• Contribute to logistical implementation of program plans, including data entry, scheduling, and coordination of program resources
• Enrollment & Administrative Support
• Assist with participant intake, program enrollment, and the welcoming of new youth and families
• Complete data entry of registration and consent forms, including DocuSign
• Complete basic documentation of activities and participant behaviors
• As needed, provide operations support with program logistics, front desk and phone coverage, NetSuite, mileage logs, and vendor appointments
• Team & Community Support
• Mentor and model expectations for YES I staff; support onboarding and coaching of new team members as applicable
• Continually seek additional knowledge and new approaches in Social Emotional Learning, Positive Youth Development, and culturally responsive practice
• Participate in Communities of Practice, team meetings, and organization-wide learning opportunities
• Contribute to a healthy, high-functioning team culture through professional conduct, collaborative engagement, and a growth mindset

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Education, or a related field required; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience in youth development, community-based programming, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience independently facilitating youth programming, groups, or structured learning experiences
• Knowledge of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks and Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles
• Experience with case management, documentation, and data systems preferred
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and group facilitation skills
• Demonstrated commitment to working with Native Hawaiian youth and communities
• 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 II
• Reports To: Manager, Kīpuka Services
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• 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.