Youth Engagement Specialist I (Koolau Poko)

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 Lili'uokalani Trust (LT) programs and sites. The YES I focuses on building strong, trusting relationships, supporting youth participation and general engagement, assisting with program facilitation, and maintaining operational reliability within established program structures.

The YES I works directly with youth involved in programming, offering guidance and support, and may also be asked to provide administrative assistance as needed. YES workers are an integral part of the holistic wraparound supports provided throughout Lili'uokalani Trust programs for youth and their families.

About Lili'uokalani Trust

Lili'uokalani Trust (LT) is a private operating foundation committed to the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of Native Hawaiian youth and their 'ohana. LT delivers culturally grounded, healing-centered programs across the pae 'aina through a range of service settings meet 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.

Essential Responsibilities

Youth Engagement & Community Building

• 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
• Support the inclusion of youth voice in program development and decisions, as appropriate
• Assist with welcoming participants and families to program spaces
• As needed and appropriate, engage in outreach activities to recruit new program participants and raise awareness of LT programs and services

Program Facilitation

• 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
• As needed and appropriate, assist with participant transportation

Enrollment & Administrative Support

• Assist with participant intake, program enrollment, and the welcoming of new kamali'i and 'ohana
• 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 Contribution

• Contribute to a healthy team and program community; communicate observations and concerns to supervisors

• Participate in team meetings, Communities of Practice, and trainings
• Contribute to the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, supporting team members, and striving to improve organizational impact
• Participate in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development
• Holiday, evening, and weekend hours required as needed
• Ability to 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
• 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 Lili'uokalani's story, her legacy, and the Hawaiian culture is foundational to staff's commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families, and communities.
• 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 evaluates information; develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations.
• Ho'okumu A'e / '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

Ability to lift 25 lbs. Requires 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 Ko'olau Poko

Department: Programs

Lili'uokalani 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.