(CASUAL) Community Engagement Program Specialist

University of Hawaii•Hilo, HI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Engagement Program Specialist is a temporary Casual Hire position in the Kipuka Native Hawaiian Center at UH Hilo. Under the general supervision of the Director of Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, the specialist develops, implements, and manages community engagement initiatives, strategic partnerships, and paid student internships in support of Activity 3 of the UH Hilo U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institutions Program grant. The work aligns activities with UH Hilo student success priorities and institutional capacity-building goals. The specialist builds and sustains collaborative relationships with community organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to expand student engagement, experiential learning, and professional development. In collaboration with the Kipuka Student Development Coordinator, the specialist designs and runs a comprehensive paid internship program, including frameworks, partner agreements, placement matching, onboarding, performance monitoring, and evaluation of student performance and learning outcomes. The role also involves creating and facilitating culturally responsive, place-based educational curricula, workshops, training materials, and community-engaged learning opportunities grounded in Hawaii's cultural values and community knowledge. The specialist works with campus departments, student support programs, the Student Development Coordinator, and community partners to identify student needs, develop experiential opportunities, and connect academic learning with community engagement and post-graduation opportunities. The position develops program policies, procedures, partnership resources, assessment tools, tracking systems, and data reporting to support evaluation, program improvement, sustainability, and grant compliance. Work takes place in multiple settings and may require a variable schedule. The temporary appointment is expected to begin in November 2026 or soon thereafter and may not exceed 89 days.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university and three years of progressively responsible professional experience in community engagement, community-based organizations, partnership development, educational programming, or related fields; or an equivalent combination of education and professional work experience providing the required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Demonstrated experience working with community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, or other community-serving institutions, including developing, maintaining, and strengthening collaborative relationships and partnerships.
Working knowledge of community resources, organizations, and networks serving Hawaii, including ability to identify collaboration opportunities and connect students with community-based experiences and resources.
Experience developing and implementing place-based educational curricula, workshops, training materials, and educational resources grounded in Hawaii's values, communities, and knowledge systems.
Knowledge of UH Hilo's student population, student support services, and campus resources.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Proficiency using personal computers and standard office software applications.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and manage community engagement initiatives and strategic partnerships supporting Activity 3 of the SIP grant and aligning with UH Hilo student success priorities and institutional capacity-building goals.
Build and sustain collaborative relationships with community organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to expand student engagement, experiential learning, and professional development.
Design, execute, and implement a comprehensive paid internship program in collaboration with the Kipuka Student Development Coordinator.
Develop internship program frameworks, partner agreements, placement matching, onboarding, performance monitoring, and evaluation of student performance and learning outcomes.
Create and facilitate culturally responsive, place-based educational curricula, workshops, training materials, and community-engaged learning opportunities grounded in Hawaii's cultural values and community knowledge.
Work with the Kipuka Student Development Coordinator, UH Hilo departments, student support programs, and community partners to identify student needs and establish internship and experiential learning opportunities.
Strengthen connections among academic learning, community engagement, and post-graduation opportunities.
Develop program policies, procedures, partnership resources, and assessment tools to support implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of community engagement initiatives and paid internships.
Establish policies, tracking systems, assessment tools, and data reporting to drive program improvement and grant compliance.
Work in multiple settings and maintain a variable schedule as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.