ʻOhana Engagement Specialist II

Liliʻuokalani Trust; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Liliʻuokalani Trust in Hawaii seeks an ʻOhana Engagement Specialist II to support Early Childhood initiatives for families with keiki ages 0-5. You will plan, coordinate and facilitate group-based programs, strengthening parent-child relationships and promoting family wellbeing across multiple sites island-wide.

The role requires collaboration with the EC team, curriculum design with cultural grounding, and ongoing evaluation to improve programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Psychology, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 2 years in early childhood education, infant mental health, family support, or related field.
• Experience facilitating youth programming or groups.

Responsibilities

• Apply strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to support families’ wellbeing, stability and independence.
• Lead development of new program initiatives and curriculum with budget considerations.
• Facilitate activities, groups, and structured learning experiences.
• Create a safe environment fostering belonging and positive identity formation.
• Design and deliver curriculum integrating LT values and cultural grounding.
• Coach participants toward growth in group settings.
• Track engagement, adjust instruction, and maintain documentation.
• Support data collection and program outcome reporting.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Group facilitation

Program design

Curriculum development

Budget coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

DocuSign

Ho'okele

NetSuite

Ramp

Job description

Job Purpose

The ʻOhana Engagement Specialist II provides direct program support for Early Childhood (EC) initiatives which supports families with young Native Hawaiian children aged 0-5. The ʻOhana Engagement Specialist II plans, coordinates, and facilitates group-based programs that strengthen parent-child relationships, promote family well-being, and increase parent independence. The ʻOhana Engagement Specialist II will work with the program team to develop, implement and evaluate innovative and impactful programming for our families. This position provides island-wide support, including the delivery of programs and services across multiple sites.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation

• Applies a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to support families focusing on overall wellbeing, stability and independence.
• Collaboratively leads the conceptualization and development of new program initiatives or enhancements to existing programming, including crafting program plans, outlining curriculum, coordinating budget considerations, and ensuring alignment with strategic goals and participant needs.
• Facillitate activities, groups, and structured learning experiences.
• Create a safe and supportive environment that fosters belonging and positive identity formation for all program participants.
• Design and facilitate curriculum with integration of LT values, cultural grounding, infant mental health principals and early childhood development models.
• Coach participants toward individual growth and goal progression in group settings.
• Track participant engagement, adjust instruction and programming in real time, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Support program evaluation activities including data collection, registration and consent form management, and program outcome reporting.
• Leads logistical implementation of programming, including data entry, scheduling, and coordination of program resources (e.g. staffing, facilities, transportation, food, supplies, etc.).
• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of program spaces (on/off site).
• Collaborates with other EC teammates to meet the various needs of families and adapt group learning to reflect those needs.

Outreach, Enrollment & Administrative Support

• Assist with participant intake, assessments, program enrollment, and the welcoming of new keiki and families.
• Complete data entry of registration and consent forms, including DocuSign and Hoʻokele.
• Complete basic documentation of activities and participant behaviors.
• As needed, provide operations support with program logistics, front desk and phone coverage, NetSuite, Ramp, mileage logs, and vendor appointments.
• Develop and maintain strong outreach connections with individuals, families, groups, and communities to support program engagement and retention.

Other Duties

• Performs written and electronic recordkeeping functions as required for LT’s internal database on a timely basis.
• Works in tandem with LT teammates to integrate services across the agency.
• Performs crisis prevention as needed.
• Supports with referrals to/from LT’s Mālama Line.
• Contributes to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organization results.
• Participates in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in early childhood education, infant mental health, family support, community-based programming, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating youth programming, groups, or structured learning experiences required.
• Preferred candidates will be highly organized, adaptable, and skilled at facilitating engaging programs for families with young children. A positive attitude, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to respond to and adapt programming based on the evolving needs of families are essential to ensuring the success of EC initiatives and programs.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and occasional holidays as needed. Ability to travel as needed.
• Valid driver license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance.
• TB clearance.
• First Aid and CPR/AED Certification preferred.

Job Competencies

• Aloha: awareness and approach to the work with compassion, empathy, and kindness.
• ‘Imi Na’auao: a constant desire for seeking knowledge; lifelong learner.
• Po’okele: desire to perform in excellence.
• Wiwo’ole: 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. Ability to work flexible hours when necessary, including nights and weekends.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ho`onui I ka `Ike (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, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.

Job Title

ʻOhana Engagement Specialist II

Reports to

Program Manager, Early Childhood

FLSA Status

Exempt

Aligned Executive

Chief Impact Officer

Kipuka

Multiple

Department

Kamalei Support and Healing

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.