Youth Support Specialist II - Waianae

Job Purpose

The Youth Support Specialist II (YSS II) provides professional casework, group work, and community-building services in direct support of LT program sites and the youth and families they serve. This role focuses on relationship-building, program implementation, supportive case coordination, and fostering safe, inclusive environments that promote belonging, resilience, and positive identity development.

The YSS II is directly responsible for the successful implementation of individual and family assessments, the development and implementation of supportive service plans, and individual supportive interventions with youth and families, all framed within a cultural and assets-based philosophy.

Essential Responsibilities

Youth Engagement & Program Support

• Contributes to the development and maintenance of a safe, supportive environment that fosters belonging and positive identity development for all participants.
• Develops and maintains respectful and positive relationships with youth engaged in programs and services.
• Responds to behavioral escalations appropriately and respectfully, and provides appropriate follow-up as determined collaboratively with program team.
• Provides guidance and support, as needed and appropriate, for program teammates regarding appropriate interventions and supportive responses for youth.
• Collaborates in the development and implementation of youth development programming, including group work and other LT program offerings, offering a supportive, clinical perspective.

Intake, Enrollment & Initial Assessment

• Supports LT program sites with new participant intake, program enrollment, and initial assessment processes, ensuring a welcoming, culturally grounded entry experience for youth and their families.
• Maintains accurate intake records and documentation, ensuring timely and high-quality data entry in alignment with organizational standards.
• Determines appropriate service pathways and program fit for new participants

Casework & Individual Support

• Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify individual and family strengths, needs, and goals, and uses findings to inform service and treatment planning, as necessary and appropriate.
• Provides counseling and supportive casework to assist individuals, families, and groups in addressing a variety of complex concerns across multiple settings.
• Collaborates with clinical teams to inform, adapt, prepare, and implement treatment plans for youth and their families. Reports on progress, outcomes, and adjustments applied during implementation to ensure quality service and positive outcomes.
• Supports individuals and families in developing behaviors and strategies that address identified needs and build upon their existing resources and strengths, with a focus on sustainability and self-sufficiency.
• Works with youth to establish clear and achievable long- and short-range goals, outcomes, and indicators of success. Appropriately documents information and reviews with site leadership as needed.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Develops and maintains strong, positive relationships with individuals, families, groups, communities, staff, and management.
• Provides outreach efforts to individuals, groups, and communities regarding Lili'uilokalani Trust programs and services. Stays abreast of pertinent information regarding diverse communities, kīpuka, and served demographics.

Other Duties

• Participates in program planning, budget development, and program and service evaluation.
• Contributes to the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organizational results.
• Contributes to a safe environment for teammates and beneficiaries, including communicating to the Manager any concerns regarding facilities and vehicles.
• Provides transportation for organization-related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries, and/or families to assigned destinations.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment that encourages teamwork and professional growth.
• Participates in agency-wide meetings and committees as required.
• Participates 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

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work or related social or human services field OR a Bachelor's degree in a related field with at least five years of progressively responsible, relevant experience.
• At least two years of post-Master's experience in casework and a minimum of one year of community or macro-level experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working in or with Native Hawaiian communities, with cultural competency and an embodied understanding of Hawaiian values, practices, and worldview
• Hawai'i State Professional Licensed Social Worker (LSW), preferred.
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills, including the ability to tailor communications to different audiences and actively listen.
• High level of accuracy when handling paperwork and data entry.
• Capability to meet deadlines and manage schedules effectively.
• Ability to guide and support team members; flexibility to handle changing priorities and situations.
• Ability to navigate disagreements and resolve issues professionally.
• 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 Support Specialist II

Reports To: Director of Kamalei Support Serevices

FLSA Status: Exempt

Aligned Executive: Chief Impact Officer

Site: Wai'anae

Department: Kamalei Support and Healing

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.