Program Coordinator I - Aina Pathway (Keahuolu)

Job Purpose:

The Keahuolū ʻĀina Pathway Coordinator supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of ʻāina-based and culturally grounded youth development programs that promote positive youth development, social-emotional learning, leadership, and ʻohana well-being. Through a combination of drop-in engagement opportunities and cohort-based, skill-building experiences, this role helps create pathways for connection, growth, and belonging that are integrated within Keahuolū's holistic wraparound support services. The Pathway Coordinator combines direct engagement with kamalei and families alongside program operations responsibilities, including program planning, logistics coordination, data collection and reporting, documentation, community partnership development, and continuous quality improvement. Because the ʻĀina Pathway is rooted in the living landscape of Keahuolū, this role works side by side with the Natural Resources team, pairing the team's restoration expertise and Annual Work Plan with youth development practice so that kamalei learn by caring for the ʻāina itself.

Working collaboratively with the Natural Resources team, fellow Pathway Coordinators, Keahuolū Leadership, and organizational leadership, the ʻĀina Pathway Coordinator maintains awareness of youth interests, strengths, and emerging needs to help inform the development of responsive, accessible, and engaging programming within their designated pathway while contributing to Keahuolū's broader vision of supporting kamalei in discovering pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity. The Pathway Coordinator serves as a key contributor to creating safe, meaningful, and enriching experiences that foster connection, skill development, and youth voice while advancing Liliʻuokalani Trust's mission and strengthening pathways for youth and ʻohana success.

Keahuolū:

Keahuolū will provide kamalei with opportunities to receive supportive services, discover pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity under the vision of “ʻāina to opportunity.” Rooted in the ahupuaʻa of Keahuolū on Hawaiʻi Island, Keahuolū aspires to be a hub for connection, creativity, life skills, and play, adapted to the unique strengths, needs, and culture of its community. Keahuolū will be a safe space where kamalei are inspired to pursue their dreams, exploring pathways in ʻāina, arts and technology, life readiness, and sports while receiving wraparound support to help them reach their goals and become thriving adults.

Pathway Overview:

The ʻĀina Pathway Coordinator connects kamalei to the restoration and stewardship of the Keahuolū ahupuaʻa, from the plant nursery and dryland preserve to the anchialine pools and near shores. The Pathway Coordinator is an extension of the Natural Resources team. The ʻāina pathway is built in partnership with the Natural Resources team, which sets the restoration strategy, Annual Work Plan, and seasonal schedules for these areas. The ʻĀina Pathway Coordinator translates that work into meaningful youth experiences, such as seed collection, propagation, outplanting, invasive species removal, and ecological monitoring, so that what kamalei do contributes to real restoration outcomes. Through hands-on mālama ʻāina and cultural practice, kamalei build self-identity, connection to place, practical skills, and a sense of kuleana.

Essential Responsibilities:

Pathway Leadership & Development

• Lead and work hand in hand with the Natural Resources team in the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Keahuolū ʻĀina Pathway.
• With Keahuolū's natural resource management plans as the road map, develop responsive ʻāina pathway programming informed by youth voice, participant interests, community needs, and organizational priorities.
• Align pathway programs and activities with the Natural Resources Annual Work Plan and seasonal propagation cycle (seed collection, propagation, and outplanting) so that youth participation directly supports restoration priorities.
• Create and maintain pathway schedules, activity plans, curriculum frameworks, workshops, events, and engagement opportunities alongside the natural resources team.
• Ensure pathway programming aligns with positive youth development, social-emotional learning, cultural grounding, and Keahuolū's vision of supporting kamalei in discovering pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity.
• Collaborate with Keahuolū Leadership and fellow Pathway Program Coordinators to ensure pathway integration and alignment across all program offerings.

Natural Resources Partnership

• Meet regularly with the Natural Resources team to co-plan pathway activities, share schedules, and coordinate the use of field sites and hands-on resources.
• Work in the field alongside the Natural Resources team, participating in stewardship activities such as nursery work, invasive species removal, outplanting, and monitoring, to deepen personal ʻāina knowledge and model hands-on mālama ʻāina for kamalei.
• Co-design and facilitate ʻāina-based learning experiences across all Keahuolū ecological zones, drawing on Natural Resources staff as subject-matter experts.
• Create opportunities for kamalei to take part in ecological monitoring and data collection, analysis, and storytelling through data.
• Coordinate with the Natural Resources team on community volunteer workdays and ʻāina-based events that engage kamalei, ʻohana, and community members.
• Connect kamalei to natural resource and conservation career pathways through the Natural Resources team's partnerships with agencies, conservation organizations, cultural practitioners, and universities.

Youth Engagement & Community Building

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with kamalei, ʻohana, community members, and partners.
• Facilitate pathway activities, workshops, and events that create safe, welcoming, and engaging experiences.
• Foster youth voice, leadership development, belonging, and positive identity formation throughout pathway programming.
• Support outreach, recruitment, retention, and ongoing engagement efforts.
• Represent Liliʻuokalani Trust and Keahuolū at community events, partnership meetings, and outreach opportunities.

Program Operations & Coordination

• Coordinate day-to-day pathway operations, including logistics, facilities, supplies, equipment, vendors, transportation, and activity preparation.
• Develop and monitor pathway budgets and expenditures in accordance with organizational guidelines.
• Coordinate guest practitioners, volunteers, contractors, and community partners supporting pathway programming.
• Maintain safe environments and ensure compliance with program standards, safety protocols, and organizational procedures.
• Support participant enrollment, attendance, and overall program operations.

Data, Evaluation & Quality Assurance

• Maintain accurate and timely enrollment, attendance, participation, and outcome data.
• Ensure quality assurance and integrity of pathway documentation, reporting, and data entry systems.
• Implement evaluation tools and feedback processes in partnership with Keahuolū Leadership and LT's Impact & Evaluation team.
• Analyze participation trends, evaluation findings, and youth feedback to inform pathway improvements.
• Prepare reports, summaries, and data-informed recommendations related to pathway performance and impact.
• Collects youth participation, volunteer hours, and stewardship activity data to support natural resource reporting and tell a shared story of Keahuolū's ecological and youth outcomes.

Collaboration & Partnership Development

• Work collaboratively with the Natural Resources team, Keahuolū Leadership, fellow Pathway Program Coordinators, LT teammates, and community partners to strengthen pathway offerings and wraparound supports.
• Build and maintain strategic community partnerships that expand opportunities, resources, and experiences for kamalei and ʻohana.
• Maintain awareness of emerging youth interests, industry trends, and best practices relevant to the designated pathway.
• Participate in Communities of Practice, professional development opportunities, and organizational initiatives that support continuous learning and innovation.

Other duties:

• Provides transportation for organization related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries and/or families to assigned destinations
• Fosters education, job training, and professional development opportunities for the team
• Provide program coverage as necessary
• Provide ongoing support for all Keahuolū staff and work as needed
• 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

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Education, Psychology, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Hawaiian Studies, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of two (2) to five (5) years of experience working with youth or in community programs
• Demonstrated commitment to working with Native Hawaiian communities and youth
• Knowledge of Hawaiian ecosystems and native plant and animal species, and experience in ʻāina-based education, conservation, or restoration field work preferred
• Extensive experience in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Positive Youth Development (PYD) leadership, development programming, and working with diverse populations
• Demonstrated ability to design programs, manage operations, and evaluate effectiveness
• Strong communication, facilitation, data management and organizational skills
• High level of accuracy when handling paperwork and data entry
• Ability to lead group activities and maintain safe, engaging environments
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required
• Ability to collaborate effectively in team settings
• Valid driver's license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance
• TB clearance required
•  First Aid and CPR/AED Certification required
• Criminal history background check required as part of pre-employment process

Job Competencies:

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

Travel Requirements:

In alignment with our organizational competencies of Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork) and Hoʻomau i ka ʻimi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement), this position will require occasional travel across the island, inter-island, and out-of-state depending on the needs of the team and the organization. While travel may not always be a need, the ability to travel when required remains a crucial aspect of this position.

Organization Competencies:

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. 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

Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement

Hōʻike I nā 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 loiloi (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

Hoʻokumu aʻe or 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

Physical Requirements:

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. Requires working outdoors in sun and/or rain for extended periods and on uneven surfaces in field conditions.

This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Terms and Conditions of Employment:

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

Job Title: Program Coordinator I - ʻĀina Pathway (Keahuolū)

Reports to: Manager, Keahuolū Programs

FLSA Status: FT; Exempt

Aligned Executive: President & CEO

Kīpuka: Keahuolū

Department: Keahuolū

Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital/civil union status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, disability or veteran/military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.