Youth Engagement Specialist I

Liliuokalani Trust•Kaneohe, HI

12h

About The Position

The Youth Engagement Specialist I (YES I) is a frontline youth development practitioner who supports safe, welcoming, and engaging environments for youth across Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) programs and sites. The YES I focuses on building strong, trusting relationships, supporting youth participation and general engagement, assisting with program facilitation, and maintaining operational reliability within established program structures. The YES I works directly with youth involved in programming, offering guidance and support, and may also be asked to provide administrative assistance as needed. YES workers are an integral part of the holistic wraparound supports provided throughout Liliʻuokalani Trust programs for youth and their families. About Liliʻuokalani Trust Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) is a private operating foundation committed to the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of Native Hawaiian youth and their ʻohana. LT delivers culturally grounded, healing-centered programs across the pae ʻaina 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.

Requirements

Two year degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Psychology, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with youth in a program, school, community, or residential setting
Demonstrated commitment to working with Native Hawaiian communities and youth
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with young people and families
Ability to work as part of a team and follow program structures and protocols
Valid driver's license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance
TB clearance required
Criminal history background check required as part of pre-employment process
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.
Alignment with Queen’s Legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s story, her legacy, and the Hawaiian culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families, and communities.
Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
Hoʻike i na Manaʻo Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
Noʻonoʻo 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.
Hoʻokumu Aʻe / ʻImi Hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
Pilina Hoʻohana a me ka Hana Hilinaʻi (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.
Hoʻonui i ka ʻIke (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.
Ability to lift 25 lbs. Requires frequent sitting, standing, and walking on uneven terrain. Some outdoor work on land assets is expected.

Nice To Haves

First Aid and CPR/AED Certification preferred

Responsibilities

Youth Engagement & Community Building
Build and maintain respectful, positive relationships with youth, families, and community members
Encourage youth participation in LT programs and services and foster a strong sense of belonging among program participants
Model appropriate behavior, healthy relationships, and effective communication
Support youth by responding to behavioral escalations appropriately and respectfully, and by providing appropriate follow-up as determined by program teams
Support the inclusion of youth voice in program development and decisions, as appropriate
Assist with welcoming participants and families to program spaces
As needed and appropriate, engage in outreach activities to recruit new program participants and raise awareness of LT programs and services
Program Facilitation
Assist with the facilitation of youth-facing programs, activities, and groups
Execute pre-established program plans, making contextual adjustments as appropriate to adapt to environment and participant need
Prepare materials and reset program spaces before and after activities
Support program transitions and participation logistics, including signing participants in and out and assisting with movement throughout spaces
Contribute to maintaining safe and supportive program environments and follow expectations for upholding safety protocols and supervision ratios
As needed and appropriate, assist with participant transportation
Enrollment & Administrative Support
Assist with participant intake, program enrollment, and the welcoming of new kamaliʻi and ʻohana
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 Contribution
Contribute to a healthy team and program community; communicate observations and concerns to supervisors
Participate in team meetings, Communities of Practice, and trainings
Contribute to the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, supporting team members, and striving to improve organizational impact
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
Works well within structure and demonstrates sound judgment
Able to execute a pre-established program plan, making adjustments as appropriate to adapt to context and environment
Works well as part of a multidisciplinary team, exhibiting respectful interactions with colleagues
Seeks assistance for high-risk situations; knows when to escalate a decision or response
Actively committed to ongoing development of facilitation and behavior management skills
Maintains professional conduct and reliability