Digital Engagement Specialist

Job Description

The Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice is seeking a Digital Engagement Specialist to support our “people first'' advocacy work aimed at advancing economic justice for Hawaii’s working families. This role will help ensure that Hawai‘i Appleseed’s advocacy is accessible and engaging to the communities and audiences we seek to reach.

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About Hawai‘i Appleseed

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Hawai‘i Appleseed is committed to a more socially and economically just Hawai‘i, where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential. We change systems to address inequity and foster greater opportunity by conducting data analysis and research, educating policymakers and the public, engaging in collaborative problem solving and coalition building, and advocating for policy and systems change.

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The work of Hawai‘i Appleseed is about people. The issues we work on—housing, food, wages, state budget and taxation, and racial and indigenous equity— ensure people have access to shelter, sustenance, and the means to survive and thrive individually and collectively. Addressing these issues requires the knowledge and expertise of the people that have first-hand experience and live with the adverse consequences of our flawed systems. 

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Core Responsibilities

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The Digital Engagement Specialist will drive online engagement, elevate the voices of those with lived experience, and move people toward action—whether that means becoming a supporter, advocate, community partner, donor, or participant in Hawai‘i Appleseed’s work. This role will work directly with Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s Director of Community Engagement, to support our “people first” approach across Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s priority issue areas. 

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Under the guidance of the Director of Community Engagement, specific responsibilities include:

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Driving Social Media Presence, Content Creation, and Bridging Communications and Community

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Engagement Work (80%)

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• Driving Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s (and associated coalition brands’) social media presence, primarily on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Bluesky, with engaging, accessible content consistent with the organization’s values and brand, 7–10 posts per week (total, across all platforms).
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• Developing a social media strategy and campaigns (Digital Organizing) that expand Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s reach, build its base of supporters, and move audiences toward advocacy and calls to action, converting viewers into actual participants in Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s policy campaigns, advocacy efforts, and in-person events.
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• Identifying opportunities to elevate community voices and lived experience through social media.
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• Coordinating with the Communications Director to ensure brand integrity, messaging alignment, and quality control. 
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• Developing and maintaining a social media content calendar aligned with Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s issue areas, campaigns, organizational priorities, and the legislative cycle.
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• Creating short-form video content for social media, including direct-to-camera videos, interviews, community stories, and event coverage.
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• Developing graphics, advertisements, and other digital materials.
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• Collaborating with communications and policy staff to translate Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s research, policy priorities, and calls to action into accessible social media content.
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• Building relationships with local content creators, influencers, community leaders, and partner organizations to collaborate on content.
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• Tracking social media performance and using audience engagement data to inform content and strategy.
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Supporting Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s Community Organizing Work (20%)

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• Assisting the Director of Community Engagement in attending community events, meetings, and coalition gatherings and/or supporting with related logistics as needed.
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• Conducting at least 2-3 short interviews with community members per week to build relationships, identify community leaders and stories, and gather content for social media to elevate those with lived experience.
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• Engaging with Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s coalitions and community members to identify people with lived experience who may be interested in sharing their perspectives and involvement in advocacy. 
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• Supporting list-building and relationship-building activities, including tabling at community events and connecting community members with opportunities to engage in Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s work.
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• Other similar duties as assigned to support the mission of Hawaiʻi Appleseed.
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Position Qualifications

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The right candidate will have the following strengths and qualifications:

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• At least two years of relevant experience in social media management, digital communications, and/or content creation, including experience developing or contributing to social media campaigns ( portfolio or examples encouraged). 
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• Ability to proactively develop and execute digital campaign strategy.
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• Ability to identify and capitalize on relevant social media trends and formats as they gain traction.
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• Ability to develop and manage a social media content calendar across multiple platforms. 
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• Ability to collaborate with policy, communications, and community engagement staff to develop accurate and compelling content.
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• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
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• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
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• Proficiency with major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
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• Proficiency writing video storyboards, video scripts, post captions, interview questions and other social media-specific kinds of writing.
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• Proficiency shooting video and taking photos with iPhone or equivalent.
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• Proficiency creating short-form video content using video editing tools such as CapCut or similar software.
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• Proficiency with Canva and Google Suite.
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• Strong desire to connect and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
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• Strong commitment to equity and inclusion and Appleseed’s mission to ensure that all Hawaiʻi residents have opportunities to thrive economically and socially.
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• Knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s unique social, political, cultural, and systemic issues that affect policy and the well-being of marginalized communities.
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• Self-directed, while also being able to work well in teams and with coalition partners.
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• Able to work events occasionally on nights and weekends as needed. 
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• Must have reliable transportation and able to get to meetings and events across Oʻahu.
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Compensation and Benefits

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This is a full-time, year-round position and the successful candidate will either live in or relocate to Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, within the range of $64,000 to $70,000. The position also provides comprehensive benefits including health care, paid holidays and personal leave and a 401(k) plan.

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Download PDF of Position Description