Cultural Coordinator

Position Title Cultural Coordinator

FLSA Status Exempt, Full-Time

Department Kīʻapu

Supervisor Program Manager

Pay Rate $51,700 - $57,800

Primary Purpose Develop and coordinate culturally grounded learning and experiences that strengthen the identity, belonging, well-being, and navigational capacity of ʻōpio. Integrate Native Hawaiian values, knowledge, practices, and relationships throughout Kīʻapu's land-preparation services while collaborating with Navigators and youth programs across ʻUpena Pili.

Essential Duties

Cultural Learning and Program Integration

• Develop and coordinate a culturally grounded learning approach aligned with the ʻUpena Pili North Star, ancestral wayfinding model, grant requirements, and organizational priorities;

• Integrate Native Hawaiian values, knowledge, practices, language, moʻolelo, ʻāina-based learning, and community relationships into Kīʻapu offerings in respectful and appropriate ways;

• Create opportunities for ʻōpio to explore identity, genealogy, place, purpose, kuleana, and their relationships with family, community, ʻāina, and future generations;

• Use cultural learning to cultivate the navigational mindsets of mālama, pono, lōkahi, kuleana, hoʻomau, and haʻahaʻa;

• Develop culturally grounded resources, activities, and materials that staff can use to reinforce navigational mindsets and skillsets.

Cultural Experiences and Facilitation

• Plan and facilitate workshops, huakaʻi, service-learning, community experiences, cultural practices, and other opportunities that provide exposure, experience, and expertise;

• Prepare clear learning goals, schedules, materials, protocols, safety considerations, and follow-up activities for cultural experiences;

• Create learning environments where ʻōpio feel safe, respected, connected, and encouraged to participate at their own pace;

• Adapt facilitation and activities to different ages, abilities, learning needs, cultural backgrounds, and levels of prior knowledge;

• Support ʻōpio in reflecting on cultural experiences and connecting what they learn to their individualized journeys, relationships, decisions, and future goals.

Cultural Relationships and Stewardship

• Build and maintain respectful, reciprocal relationships with cultural practitioners, kūpuna, community leaders, ʻāina-based organizations, and other cultural resources;

• Coordinate practitioner participation, expectations, schedules, materials, documentation, and other logistical needs for assigned cultural offerings;

• Follow appropriate cultural protocols and seek guidance when working with ʻike, practices, places, stories, or relationships that require particular care;

• Help ensure cultural knowledge and community relationships are represented accurately, respectfully, and without exploitation or tokenization.

Land Preparation and Cross-Program Collaboration

• Work closely with Navigators to understand the interests, strengths, identities, and goals of ʻōpio and connect them with relevant cultural experiences without replacing the Navigator's primary mentoring relationship;

• Collaborate with Kīʻapu staff responsible for pathways, wellness, data, and events so cultural grounding is integrated across land-preparation services;

• Coordinate with other youth programs under ʻUpena Pili to share cultural resources, strengthen referrals, reduce duplication, and expand access to culturally grounded experiences;

• Participate in Kīʻapu and cross-program planning, Navigator meetings, and youth conferencing when cultural insight or support is needed;

• Provide cultural guidance and support to staff while recognizing when consultation with kūpuna, practitioners, or other knowledge holders is appropriate.

Documentation and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate and timely records of cultural offerings, participation, practitioner involvement, feedback, and other assigned outcomes in PIDF systems;

• Gather feedback from ʻōpio, Navigators, staff, families, practitioners, and partners to assess relevance, accessibility, cultural integrity, and quality;

• Use data, reflection, and community guidance to improve cultural offerings and recommend responsive adjustments;

• Protect participant privacy and appropriately safeguard cultural knowledge, stories, relationships, and information.

Other Duties

• Support ʻUpena Pili and Kīʻapu events, trainings, outreach, and community activities;

• Maintain professional and cultural knowledge through relevant learning, relationship-building, and professional development;

• Other duties as assigned.

Work Hours

• Generally 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, or as otherwise determined by management;

• Flexibility to adjust schedules for ʻōpio, family, practitioner, partner, huakaʻi, event, evening, or occasional weekend needs is required;

• Position requires regular and predictable attendance.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work model with work conducted in office, remote, school, community, cultural, outdoor, and program settings;

• Frequent travel to cultural, community, participant, partner, event, and program locations on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi;

• Travel to the continental U.S. may be required.

Equipment Use May include use of vehicles (company and personal), computers and other electronics, office equipment, cultural and site equipment, and facility equipment.

Mental, Physical, and Communication Demands

Mental

• Consistent adherence to Partners In Development Foundation's five core values as a guiding force in the success of all programs;

• Ability to remain youth-centered, mission-focused, healing-centered, culturally nourishing, humble, and composed when navigating complex cultural or participant situations;

• Ability to manage multiple relationships, experiences, timelines, details, and follow-up responsibilities with sound judgment and cultural care;

• Ability to demonstrate integrity, self-awareness, coachability, adaptability, a growth mindset, and the Navigator's Mindset;

• Ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and culturally protected information appropriately;

• Take responsibility and ownership for successfully accomplishing work and the organization’s objectives and delivering results. Set high standards of shared performance for self and others; 

• Foster a respectful environment while supporting fair treatment and opportunity for all colleagues, partners, and communities; 

• Ensure work is thoughtfully completed, accurate, and error-free to the highest degree possible.

Physical

• Ability to frequently travel to various sites on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi, including outdoor and uneven environments;

• Must be able to sit and work on a computer, participate in meetings and activities, or travel in a vehicle during the workday;

• Ability to lift and carry supplies up to 25 lbs;

• Outdoors: exposure to sun, wind, rain, dust, plants, insects, animal dander, and other environmental conditions;

• Indoors: exposure to normal office, school, community, cultural, and program environments.

Communication

• Exhibit a courteous and professional demeanor toward ʻōpio, families, staff, administration, practitioners, kūpuna, and partners through verbal, written, physical, and electronic correspondence;

• Strong facilitation, active-listening, relationship-building, public-speaking, and written communication skills;

• Ability to communicate across generations and cultures, receive guidance respectfully, and collaborate as part of a diverse, cross-program team.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Hawaiian studies, cultural studies, education, social work, human services, community development, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in cultural education, youth development, community-based programming, ʻāina-based learning, or a related field;

• Knowledge of Native Hawaiian culture, values, history, practices, community relationships, and protocols;

• Experience developing or facilitating workshops, huakaʻi, group learning, cultural activities, or community experiences for youth;

• Experience building respectful relationships with cultural practitioners, kūpuna, families, community organizations, or other knowledge holders;

• Knowledge of positive youth development and trauma-informed or healing-centered practice;

• Strong organizational, facilitation, relationship-building, problem-solving, documentation, and time-management skills;

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, email, internet research, participant data systems, and virtual meeting platforms.

Driving

• Must have access to a vehicle, a valid driver's license, a safe and responsible driving record, and current no-fault auto insurance with at least $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $25,000 in property damage liability.

Preferred

• Experience working with opportunity or systems-involved youth and families;

• Established relationships with Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, kūpuna, ʻāina-based organizations, or community resources;

• Fluency or proficiency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi;

• Experience integrating cultural learning with education, workforce, wellness, or youth-development goals.