CARES Community Coordinator

University-of-Hawaii-System; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) in Hawaii County seeks an Educational Specialist to coordinate CARES community initiatives. The role focuses on organizing, partnering with local organizations, and developing programming aligned with university priorities.

Occasional travel and after-hours events are required. The candidate will liaise with CTAHR staff and county partners, design programs addressing community needs, manage station

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 3+ years in community development and volunteer coordination.
• Strong knowledge of community-engaged, participatory project management.
• Understanding of extension and community development laws and practices.
• Clear writing and speaking communication; ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse groups.
• Proficiency with MS Office; ability to work across multiple locations.

Responsibilities

• Implements community-engaged strategies and hosts events to foster participation.
• Leads sessions with community members and university partners to develop solutions.
• Creates committees and working groups to address challenges and encourage innovation.
• Acts as liaison between CTAHR and county communities; builds partnerships with local orgs.
• Coordinates with county admin and CTAHR to align activities with priorities.

Skills

Community engagement

Volunteer management

Stakeholder coordination

Public outreach

Community development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Agriculture, Social Work, or related field

Job description

CARES Community Coordinator (#0097593T, CTAHR/Hawaii County)

Full-Time Temporary

Job Number

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience

Title: Educational Specialist (CARES Community Coordinator)

Position Number: 0097593T

Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), Hawaii County

Location: Hawaii County

Date Posted: September 23, 2026

Closing Date: October 9, 2026, 11:59PM HST

Other Conditions

For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by October 9, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Implements community-engaged strategies that foster meaningful participation and collaboration while organizing and hosting community events that strengthen relationships and encourage knowledge exchange.
• Leads co-envisioning sessions where community members and university partners develop solutions together.
• Creates committees and working groups to address specific community challenges, and fosters innovation through collaborative approaches that leverage diverse perspectives.
• Ensures that local wisdom and university expertise combine to create meaningful solutions through collaborative problem-solving approach.
• Serves as a liaison between CTAHR faculty, staff, and county communities, building strategic relationships with local organizations, businesses, and civic groups.
• Works under the direct supervision of the County Administrator of the respective county and coordinates closely with CTAHR administration, faculty and staff to align station activities with university priorities and community; coordinates county-wide initiatives while developing and maintaining volunteer systems that support station activities.
• Establishes networks that connect resources to community needs and ensuring that multiple CARES stations work together effectively.
• Designs and implements programs that address identified community priorities, coordinating activities across multiple CARES stations to maximize impact, and developing annual programming plans that align with community needs and the university's mission.
• Manages station resources and coordinates logistics for community initiatives while ensuring that each station operates as an effective hub for collaborative innovation.
• Communicates impact measurement with supervisors and university leadership to ensures alignment with institutional goals and community needs.
• Prepares comprehensive annual reports documenting community engagement and outcomes, communicates measures of impact to communities through accessible formats, and documents successful practices for sharing across the CARES network.
• Travels to various locations throughout the assigned county to visit multiple CARES stations and community locations.
• Works after hours including evenings, weekends and/or holidays for community events and meetings, combining office-based administrative work with field-based community engagement activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Public Administration, Agriculture, Social Work, or a related field and (3) years of year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience in community development work with responsibilities for volunteer management and coordination, working with diverse communities and stakeholder groups, and a track record of successful community engagement; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of community-engaged, participatory, project management and organization as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with agricultural extension and community development.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and other office applications.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability of active listening skills and understanding community concerns, the ability to work independently across multiple locations, and flexibility to adapt to changing community needs.
• Demonstrated ability in developing creative solutions to local challenges, commitment to collaborative approaches and shared decision-making, and passion for connecting people and resources to solve problems.
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirements may be fulfilled by a valid Hawaii Driver's license (class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transportation, which meets position needs.
• Ability to work after normal business hours including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.

• Demonstrated ability of active listening skills and understanding community concerns, the ability to work independently across multiple locations, and flexibility to adapt to changing community needs.
• Demonstrated ability in developing creative solutions to local challenges, commitment to collaborative approaches and shared decision-making, and passion for connecting people and resources to solve problems.
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirements may be fulfilled by a valid Hawaii Driver's license (class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transportation, which meets position needs.
• Ability to work after normal business hours including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.

1.Experience working with and knowledge of cooperative extension principles.

TO APPLY

• Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
• Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
• Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire).
• Any confidential data should be redacted (e.g. social security number, date of birth, etc).
• Diplomas will not be accepted.

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Inquiries: Dr. Bruce Mathews, [e-mail]

EEO, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/ , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/