Youth Engagement Specialist II ( Poko)

Job Purpose

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. The YES II exercises programmatic autonomy and professional judgment, leads structured program experiences, and provides mentorship and informal guidance to other team members.

The YES II builds strong relationships, manages group dynamics, and adapts activities in real time to support youth development. The YES II may also function as a specialized practitioner by leading structured learning experiences such as arts, culinary, athletics, or other skill-based programming and coaching youth toward growth and goal progression. 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

• Independently 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
• Provide 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, including crafting program plans, outlining curriculum, coordinating budget considerations, and ensuring alignment with strategic goals and participant needs
• 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

Other Duties (Site Dependent)

• Coordinate transportation logistics or supervise participant transitions
• Support specialized program environments (e.g., kitchen, gym, studio)
• Support community partnerships, events, and engagement activities
• Contribute to the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organizational results.
• Collaborate in pursuit of the Trust's strategic goals
• 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

• Manages dynamic youth environments independently and with confidence
• Supports emotional regulation and conflict resolution using evidence-informed approaches
• Leads structured learning or skill-based experiences with clear instructional intent
• Tracks participant progress and adjusts instruction, programming, and engagement strategies accordingly
• Supports outreach and engagement strategies to recruit participants and expand community presence
• Exercises professional judgment in complex or high-stakes situations, knowing when and how to escalate
• Functions as a model of professional practice and cultural grounding for the wider program team

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 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.

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.

Job Title: Youth Engagement Specialist II

Reports To: Manager, Kīpuka Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

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.