Youth Support Specialist II - Lydia House

Colonial Group

Honolulu (HI)

On-site

USD 58,000 - 72,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

Liliʻuokalani Trust in Honolulu, HI seeks a Youth Support Specialist II to provide professional casework, group work, and community-building services. You will support intake, assessment, service planning, and collaborative treatment with youth and families, grounded in Hawaiian values.

The role emphasizes culturally grounded practice, safety, belonging, and positive identity development, with travel as needed and occasional after-hours hours.

Qualifications

MSW or BA with 5+ years of relevant experience.
Two years post-MSW experience in casework; 1 year in community/macro work preferred.
Experience working with Native Hawaiian communities and Hawaiian values.

Responsibilities

Engage youth and families in a safe, inclusive environment; support belonging and positive identity development.
Provide intake, enrollment, and initial assessments with culturally grounded entry experience.
Conduct counseling and supportive casework across multiple settings; coordinate with clinical teams.

Skills

Collaboration

Ethical Practice

Communication

Cultural Competence

Relationship Management

Interpersonal Skills

Relationship Building

Emotional Intelligence

Teamwork

Capacity Building

Education

Master's in Social Work

Bachelor's degree + 5 years experience

Job description

About Liliʻuokalani Trust

Liliʻuokalani Trust (LT) is a private operating foundation committed to the social, physical, and spiritual well-being of Native Hawaiian youth and their ʻohana. LT delivers culturally grounded, healing-centered programs across the pae ʻaina through a range of service settings to meet youth and families where they are. Trust programs reflect an assets-based philosophy that honors Hawaiian values, elevates youth strengths, and builds pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity for all youth we serve.

Job Purpose

The Youth Support Specialist II (YSS II) provides professional casework, group work, and community-building services in direct support of LT program sites and the youth and families they serve. This role focuses on relationship-building, program implementation, supportive case coordination, and fostering safe, inclusive environments that promote belonging, resilience, and positive identity development.

The YSS II is directly responsible for the successful implementation of individual and family assessments, the development and implementation of supportive service plans, and individual supportive interventions with youth and families, all framed within a cultural and assets-based philosophy.

Essential Responsibilities

Youth Engagement & Program Support

Contributes to the development and maintenance of a safe, supportive environment that fosters belonging and positive identity development for all participants
Develops and maintains respectful and positive relationships with youth engaged in programs and services
Responds to behavioral escalations appropriately and respectfully, and provides appropriate follow-up as determined collaboratively with program team
Provides guidance and support, as needed and appropriate, for program teammates regarding appropriate interventions and supportive responses for youth
Collaborates in the development and implementation of youth development programming, including group work and other LT program offerings, offering a supportive, clinical perspective

Intake, Enrollment & Initial Assessment

Supports LT program sites with new participant intake, program enrollment, and initial assessment processes, ensuring a welcoming, culturally grounded entry experience for youth and their families.
Maintains accurate intake records and documentation, ensuring timely and high-quality data entry in alignment with organizational standards.
Determines appropriate service pathways and program fit for new participants

Casework & Individual Support

Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify individual and family strengths, needs, and goals, and uses findings to inform service and treatment planning, as necessary and appropriate
Provides counseling and supportive casework to assist individuals, families, and groups in addressing a variety of complex concerns across multiple settings
Collaborates with clinical teams to inform, adapt, prepare, and implement treatment plans for youth and their families. Reports on progress, outcomes, and adjustments applied during implementation to ensure quality service and positive outcomes
Supports individuals and families in developing behaviors and strategies that address identified needs and build upon their existing resources and strengths, with a focus on sustainability and self-sufficiency
Works with youth to establish clear and achievable long- and short-range goals, outcomes, and indicators of success. Appropriately documents information and reviews with site leadership as needed.

Community Engagement & Outreach

Develops and maintains strong, positive relationships with individuals, families, groups, communities, staff, and management
Provides outreach efforts to individuals, groups, and communities regarding Liliʻuilokalani Trust programs and services. Stays abreast of pertinent information regarding diverse communities, kīpuka, and served demographics.

Other Duties

Participates in program planning, budget development, and program and service evaluation
Contributes to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organizational results
Contributes to a safe environment for teammates and beneficiaries, including communicating to the Manager any concerns regarding facilities and vehicles.
Provides transportation for organization-related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries, and/or families to assigned destinations
Fosters a positive and supportive work environment that encourages teamwork and professional growth.
Participates in agency-wide meetings and committees as required.
Participates in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development
Holiday, evening, and weekend hours required as needed
Ability to travel as needed for Trust business

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Social Work or related social or human services field OR a Bachelorʻs degree in a related field with at least five years of progressively responsible, relevant experience
At least two years of post-Master’s experience in casework and a minimum of one year of community or macro-level experience preferred
Demonstrated experience working in or with Native Hawaiian communities, with cultural competency and an embodied understanding of Hawaiian values, practices, and worldview
Hawaiʻi State Professional Licensed Social Worker (LSW), preferred
Excellent written and interpersonal skills, including the ability to tailor communications to different audiences and actively listen
High level of accuracy when handling paperwork and data entry
Capability to meet deadlines and manage schedules effectively
Ability to guide and support team members; flexibility to handle changing priorities and situations
Ability to navigate disagreements and resolve issues professionally
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 preferred
Criminal history background check required as part of pre-employment process

Key Required Competencies

Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, families, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams.Knowledge of community resources and services.

Ethical Practice: Models the highest level of ethics, integrity, LTvaluesand social responsibility.

Communication: Clearly conveys and receives information and ideas to individuals or groups that engages the listener and invites response and feedback.Demonstrates good written, oral, and listening skills.

Cultural Competence: Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and is sensitive to group differences.Experience working with vulnerable youth and systems involved youth.

Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; commitment and ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships.

Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure, remain calm and controlled when faced withdifficult situations. Strives for immediate address.
Relationship Building and Emotional Intelligence: Relatable, self-awareand empathetic with strong emotional intelligence.
Culture Competence: Ready to support the Trust as itappliesa diversity,equityand inclusion lens to all aspects of work.

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.

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

Hoʻike i na 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 Loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates information; develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations.

Hoʻokumu Aʻe / 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.