Youth Engagement Specialist II; Hilo

Position: Youth Engagement Specialist II (Hilo)
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 Docu Sign
• Complete basic documentation of activities and participant behaviors
• As needed, provide operations support with program logistics, front desk and phone coverage, Net Suite, 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…