Program Coordinator

Position Description

Kupu, which means “to sprout” or “to grow” in Hawaiian, has a two-fold mission: to preserve the land while empowering youth. The organization provides hands-on training in conservation, sustainability, and environmental education for young adults, with the goal of fostering our next generation of environmental and cultural stewards. Kupu’s work has been likened to the role of the kupukupu fern, which is one of the first plants to cultivate the land after a lava flow. The fern not only serves as a foundational species for rebuilding a healthy, native ecosystem, but it also symbolizes a place where knowledge can grow.

Established in 2007 as a Honolulu-based 501(c)3 non-profit, Kupu affirms the Hawaiian notion of “ma ka hana ka ʻike” or “in working one learns.” This approach has led to the creation of hundreds of internships and service-learning opportunities which blend vocational training and green leadership development to support more than 100 partner sites across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

Kupu’s Mission

“To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage integrity (pono) with Ke Akua, self, and others.”

Kupu’s Environmental Education Department (EED):

We build Natural Resource (NR) career pathways for Hawaiʻi’s youth. We offer students hands-on support that can be in-school, work-based, or project based. We offer educators professional development training. Our emphasis is on work-based learning (WBL) and preparing students to lead as professionals and citizens. We have a range of offerings, from stand-alone programs to system transformation.  Learn more about the EED here: https://www.kupuhawaii.org/education/

Position Overview

The work of the EED is innovative, exciting, and fast-paced, with many new and changing projects. The Program Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring the coordination and successful execution of Kupu's Environmental Education Department (EED) programs and initiatives. In particular, this position will focus on supporting Kupu’s work with Department of Education (DOE) schools to: (1) design and build interest in Natural Resources (NR) Career Pathways; (2) support the EED’s role as an intermediary by building relationships and connections between educators and NR Sector industry partners in Hawaii; (3) guide and support Environmental Education Leaders (EELs), recent college graduates passionate and experienced in NR fields and education, who will work directly with educators and community partners in schools to implement NR work-based learning opportunities, environmentally-focused classes, clubs, projects, and other hands-on learning experiences; and (4) partnership development and maintenance.

Type:  Full-Time          Location:  O’ahu         Reports to: Program Manager

Position Duties

Working under the direction of the Program Manager and in collaboration with the Environmental Education Department team, primary duties for the Program Coordinator position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Partner with program staff to implement, coordinate, and evaluate program needs, goals, delivery systems, and outcomes
• Oversees coordination of program and event planning and logistics
• Partners with Kupu staff to identify and create outreach, website, and social media content and opportunities
• Assist with recruitment, selection, orientation, and training of Environmental Education Leaders (EELs)

• Guide and support EELs in developing work-based learning and ʻāina-based education opportunities for students at assigned schools
• Collect, organize, and analyze data from schools and EELs
• Maintain strong, lasting relationships with individual schools, the Department of Education, the UH System, and other government and non-governmental partner organizations
• Support and assist program staff in partnering with teachers and administrators to identify school needs and develop and implement school goals
• Support and assist program staff in helping schools develop, grow, and promote natural resources pathways and partnerships
• Support and assist program staff in work with community partners and schools to, design, develop, and implement new Natural Resources (NR) Sector Partnership to build a connected system of supports, information and resources, as well as drive system-level change at the DOE and in individual schools

• Support and assist program staff in reviewing, writing, and managing grants, contracts, agreements, procurement, and other administrative matters
• Ensures timely completion and submission of all program administrative requirements (including data reports, timesheets, paperwork, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Hawaiian Studies, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Environmental Studies/Science, Ecology, Botany, Biology, Zoology, Forestry, Marine Science or a closely related field in natural resources or education.
• 2 years experience in the field of natural resources and/or education
• Must meet Kupu’s criminal history check requirements

Primary Qualifications

• Experience with project or program planning and coordination
• Exceptional administrative and organizational skills, with high attention to detail
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work authentically with people from different backgrounds
• Experience with report writing and data organization and presentation
• Relevant experience building and maintaining relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Self-driven individual able to establish priorities, operate with multiple projects, and meet deadlines
• Ability to problem-solve, be flexible, and show good judgment in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment
• Strong team player with a collaborative mindset
• Willingness to learn and to develop new skills independently
• High level of proficiency in GoogleSuites, Microsoft 360, and other web-based programs

Secondary Qualifications

• Experience and/or commitment to the natural resource management and sustainability field
• Experience and/or commitment to Hawaiian culture and ʻāina-based concepts
• Experience working in or with the Hawaii Department of Education or with teachers, school administrators, and other educational institutions
• Experience in strategic communications, web design, marketing, and public relations
• Experience in a mentorship and/or counseling setting
• Experience with event planning and facilitation

Environmental and Physical Requirements

• Available full-time Monday through Friday, as well as for possible weekends, evenings, and periodic neighbor island trips
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift 35lbs
• May be required to work in outdoor settings with wind, rain and sun exposure

Interested candidates may direct questions to careers@kupuhawaii.org

Apply:  Interested applicants can apply at: https://www.hrsymphony.com/hrs/apply/3415/Y8UE

*This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job