Hawai‘i Native Plant Specialist

Socket.dev; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kohala Center is seeking a Hawai‘i native plant specialist to manage germination, propagation, and field restoration at Keawewai, Kohala Mountain. The role includes research, native nursery work, outplanting, and invasive species control, with opportunities for community education and stewardship.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years of Hawai‘i native plant nursery experience and strong ties to Kawaihae/Kohala communities, learned from kumu and local practitioners.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in agriculture, forestry, natural resources or conservation field.
• Minimum 5 years germinating and growing native plants from seed.
• Experience under Hawai‘i native plant practitioners.
• Working knowledge of nursery operation, maintenance, and repair.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong safety awareness for staff and learners.
• Basic proficiency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi; working knowledge desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ho‘olauna (outreach and invitation): build relationships with teachers, trees, and communities.
• Kilo (research and education): support native reforestation through data collection and outreach.
• Hana (daily practice): assist with seed collection, germination, outplanting, and care for irrigation systems and tools.
• Mo‘olelo (evaluation): support learning outcomes, recordkeeping, and community engagement.

Skills

Agriculture

Native plant nursery

Public engagement

ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (basic)

Organizational skills

Nursery maintenance

Safety consciousness

Education

Assoc./B.A. in agriculture or related field

Tools

Heavy equipment operation

Irrigation systems

Nursery equipment

Job description

LOCATION: Keawewai, Kohala Mountain Road, Kawaihae-uka, Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i
REPORTS TO: ‘Āina Operations Manager, Keawewai

The Hawai‘i native plant specialist is responsible for the germination and propagation of plants for The Kohala Center (TKC)’s native forest restoration site at Keawewai, a 60-acre ‘ili ‘āina nāhelehele, or native forested land division on Kohala Mountain. Based in the uplands of the ahupua‘a of Kawaihae, the primary responsibilities of this position is to (re)establish Keawewai as a native food forest through field research, native nursery propagation, native outplanting, and invasive species control. In this effort, this position helps provide inspiration, education, native plant resources, and stewardship experiences for community members to establish native food forests on their ‘āina. The ideal candidate has a minimum of five years of Hawai‘i native plant nursery experience and has strong relationship and responsibility to Kawaihae and/or native dryland and mesic forest plants learned from many kumu and years of practice.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Ho‘olauna (outreach and invitation)

• Connect with, listen to, and kilo kumu of all kinds (teachers and trees) to understand what ‘āina needs in ways that support total well-being of ‘āina and kānaka in balance.
• Strengthen existing and create new relationships, networks, and alliances with other Hawai‘i-based native nurseries, planters, conservation organizations, and kama‘āina and kupa‘āina of Kawaihae and Kohala.

Kilo (research, development and education)

• Support the creation of conditions (e.g., hosted site visits, huaka‘i, Hoa‘āina Stewardship Days) that include, welcome, and orient diverse TKC staff and community members to native dryland and mesic forest ecosystems including their many relations, elements, and cycles of transitions.
• Conduct research and the collection of qualitative and quantitative data that leads to native reforestation. This includes data tracking, collection, and analysis of place-based propagation practices, native dryland and mesic forest plant species, threats to reforestation (e.g. fires, disease, invasive species), etc.

Hana (daily ‘āina practitionership)

• Support seed collection and storing, species identification, germination, outplanting, watering, weeding, and monitoring efforts.
• Care for the water and nutrient cycles to include programming and maintenance of irrigation systems, supplies purchasing, equipment repairs and maintenance, cleaning and organizing of facilities, etc.
• Develop and plan for soil fertility management, seeds, seasons, water, and weather to determine optimal growing conditions and indicators of health for each native species.
• Help control and remove non-native plants and species in respectful ways to ensure the health and well-being of ‘āina and kānaka.
• Establish and maintain seed, seedling, and outplanting inventory including species, dates, protocols, planters, kaulana mahina, and other key data points using multiple technologies.
• Prepare native forest “starter kits” to seed smaller areas of land for our community to scale native forest restoration efforts.
• Support the inventory and maintenance of all facilities, equipment, and tools at Keawewai.
• Support community food production and food-forest trials.
• Co-create conditions that ensure the safety and health of ‘āina and kānaka of Kohala.

Mo’olelo (evaluation for continuous learning and knowledge transmission)

• Assesses for learning the impact of our work, the development of regenerative practices, and conditions and indicators of a state of pono in context of kula and forested lands.
• Manages recordkeeping, outcomes and indicators reporting, story catching, and other forms of evaluation in ways that appreciate, energize, and strengthen community investments and impact.
• Supports the development of community engagement, educational, and applied research projects in alignment with TKC’s vision, mission, and strategies.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of three years of experience in agriculture, forestry, natural resource, or conservation-related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience germinating and growing native plants from seed.
• Demonstrated experience studying under agricultural and/or conservation practitioners with Hawai‘i native plant expertise.
• Working knowledge of nursery operation, maintenance, and repair.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Outstanding sense of workplace responsibility to ensure personal safety as well as safety of other staff and inexperienced learners.
• Proven ability to interact positively with a wide variety of people in groups and one-on-one to co-lead educational programs and represent TKC in professional gatherings.
• Ability to maintain composure, breath, sensitivity, and flexibility during peak periods and challenging situations.
• Basic proficiency in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, working use of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i desired.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of heavy farm equipment operation, maintenance, and repair.
• Kohala- or Waimea-based knowledge and relationships.
• Wilderness First Aid certified.

EDUCATION

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in agriculture, ethnobotany, horticulture, agroecology or agroforestry, soil or environmental science, or related field. Supporting coursework or degree in Hawaiian studies a plus. Equivalent professional and/or life experience may be considered in lieu of an academic degree.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Reliable personal transportation required for use in traveling between work sites.
• Valid Hawai‘i Driver License (or ability to obtain one) required with a clean driving record.
• Able to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Able to perform heavy physical work and operate heavy equipment.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Able to work outdoors as well as in a variety of community settings.
• Inter- and intra-island travel on occasion.

EQUIPMENT USE

• Conservation and agriculture tools (hand tools) and machinery (e.g., ATV, tractor, tillage implements, power tools).
• Plant preparation and propagation equipment (e.g., irrigation systems).
• Computer and standard office equipment.