Youth Engagement Specialist ; Koʻolau Poko

Job Purpose

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.

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, meeting 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.

• 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
• Engage in outreach activities to recruit new program participants and raise awareness of LT programs and services when needed

• 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
• Assist with participant transportation when needed

• Assist with participant intake, program enrollment, and the welcoming of new kamaliʻi and ʻohana
• Complete data entry of registration and consent forms, including Docu Sign
• Maintain basic documentation of activities and participant behaviors
• Provide operations support with program logistics, front desk and phone coverage, Net Suite, mileage logs, and vendor appointments when needed

• Contribute to a healthy team and program community; communicate observations and concerns to supervisors
• Participate in team meetings, Communities of Practice, and trainings
• Support the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, supporting team members, and striving to improve organizational impact
• Engage in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development
• Work holiday, evening, and weekend hours as required
• Travel as needed for Trust business

• Work well within structure and demonstrate sound judgment
• Execute pre‑established program plans, making adjustments as appropriate to adapt to context and environment
• Work well as part of a multidisciplinary team, exhibiting respectful interactions with colleagues
• Seek assistance for high‑risk situations and know when to escalate decisions or responses
• Actively commit to ongoing development of facilitation and behavior management skills
• Maintain professional conduct and reliability

• 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…