Youth Engagement Specialist

Lili'uokalani Center (LC):

Informed by a deep understanding of the adolescent experience and grounded in Hawaiian culture, the new LC will provide Hawaiian youth with opportunities to connect to peers and mentors, receive supportive services, and discover pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity. LC will be LT's signature youth development hub for culture, creativity, technology, and play, and will serve as a resource center where youth can connect to vital supports and a vibrant community. LC will be a safe space located in urban Honolulu where youth are inspired to pursue their dreams, including exploring pathways in the arts, sports, technology, and entrepreneurship while receiving wraparound support to help them reach their goals and become thriving adults. A primary function of LC will be to provide a space for young people to play, to learn, to find connection and inspiration, and to experience joy.

Job Purpose

The Youth Engagement Specialist, under the direct supervision of the Culinary Programs Team, will support program implementation and youth engagement for Lili'uokalani Center (LC). This role includes assisting with LC's enrollment and engagement process and working in collaboration with Culinary programs, contributing to the development of special events, workshops, and providing general support. The Specialist will work directly with youth involved in LC programming, offering guidance and support, and may also be asked to provide administrative assistance and work in the kitchen as needed. The Youth Engagement Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting and mentoring opportunity youth enrolled in our Culinary Arts programs. This position involves creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, fostering personal and professional growth, and ensuring participants are fully engaged and motivated throughout their training. All programming will integrate into the Center's holistic wraparound support services and engaging arts, culture, and technology programming.

Essential Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Culinary Program Team to provide support to youth, and at times their ohana, through their enrollment process at LC (includes drop in, program enrollment, and events)

Work directly with youth involved in programming, providing guidance and support under the direction of the Culinary Program Team.

Build and sustain trusting relationships with youth, ensuring that engagement strategies are rooted in authentic rapport that encourages participation, fosters belonging, and supports the overall success of LC programs

Assist with program planning, implementation and monitoring; this will include the facilitation of culinary groups.

Assist with the opening, closing, and monitoring of facilities

Prepare and close culinary program spaces

Contribute to the development of special events, workshops, and open houses, aiming to enhance engagement and participation

Assist with transportation, as needed

Provide administrative support as needed, ensuring efficient coordination and documentation of program-related activities

Participate in community outreach efforts, representing LC at various events and ensuring a strong and positive presence in the community, driving awareness and enrollment

Demonstrate cultural sensitivity, ensuring that programs are culturally relevant

Assist in collecting relevant data and contribute to preparing reports, helping to assess the impact and effectiveness of programs

Track and assess the progress of participants, providing regular feedback and adjusting program components as needed to ensure success.

Assist in recruiting new participants by conducting outreach activities, building relationships with community organizations, and promoting the program through various channels.

Foster a sense of community among participants by organizing team-building activities, events, and outings that promote collaboration and camaraderie.

Other duties:

Contribute to the Trust's success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and collaborating as we strive to attain the Trust's strategic goals

Participate in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development

Evening and weekend hours required as needed

Others as needed and assigned

Qualifications

• 2 years of equivalent experience in food service
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Comfort with youth work, particularly engaging with vulnerable youth
• Capacity to perform frontline work in different settings (schools, public spaces, office, distressed communities, etc.)
• Valid driver's license, clean traffic abstract
• TB clearance

Liliʻuokalani Trust strongly believes in hiring individuals reflective of the community it serves, including lived experience, striving for representative diversity among its staff.

Job Competencies

• Aloha: awareness and approach to the work with compassion, empathy, and kindness.
• 'Imi Naʻauao: a constant desire for seeking knowledge; lifelong learner.
• Poʻokele: desire to perform in excellence.
• Wiwoʻole: maintain a courageous, brave, and fearless mindset.
• Pono: understand the appropriateness of time, place, reason, people, and tools
• Kuleana: bring a deep sense of responsibility and accountability
• Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services
• Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility Uphold and embody all LT values.
• Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills.
• Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work.
• Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations.

Organization Competencies

Alignment with Queen's legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani's story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff's commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one's work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.

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/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations

Ho'o kumu a'e or '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.

Hoʻonui I ka ʻIke (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental and Physical Demands:

Perform light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting weight of up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment, employees will be subject to LT's policies and procedures.

SALARY RANGE ADVERTISED IS THE HIRING OR STARTING RANGE FOR THE ROLE.

Job Title: Youth Engagement Specialist- Culinary Reports to: Culinary Director

FLSA Status: Part Time Non-Exempt Aligned Executive: Vice President and Chief Program Officer

Kipuka: Lili'uokalani Center Department: Lili'uokalani Center