Mālama ʻĀina Technician

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Hui Mālama i ke Ala ʻŪlili (huiMAU) is a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2011 by ʻohana from Hāmākua Hikina (East Hāmākua), on Hawaiʻi Island. Our mission is to re-establish the systems that sustain our community through place-based educational initiatives and ‘āina-centered practices that cultivate abundance, regenerate responsibilities, and promote collective health and well-being. In doing so, we are empowered to continue on the pathways and traditions of our kūpuna, and establish new pathways for the present and future pono of our ‘āina and ‘ohana of Hāmākua.

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE:

The Mālama ʻĀina Technician is responsible for implementing huiMAU’s ʻāina restoration efforts in alignment with huiMAU’s organizational goal to Hoʻomana / Restoration of our cultural and natural landscapes to support living, sustainable cultural and subsistence practices; and guided by huiMAU’s mission and vision of Noho papa Hāmākua: a Hāmākua Hikina that empowers ‘ohana with the capacity to live and thrive in Hāmākua for generations—with deep aloha and kuleana for the ‘āina and ‘ohana to whom we belong, and with great expertise in regenerating and maintaining the systems that feed us physically, intellectually, and spiritually. The Mālama ʻĀina Technician will work under the guidance of the Mālama ʻĀina Manager, alongside Mālama ʻĀina Program Assistants to implement tasks to ensure the care, maintenance, and growth of huiMAU's ʻāina regeneration sites at Koholālele. These tasks include, but are not limited to, ʻāina restoration and regular site maintenance (mowing, weed whacking, invasive species removal / management, native species propagation and out planting, maintaining planting areas and accessways, building fence, etc.), equipment and vehicle maintainence, and assisting with educational and volunteer community group hosting. The ideal candidate is humble, disciplined, hard-working, and enjoys the kuleana of being a responsible steward of ʻāina—from uka to kai—being highly accountable to ‘āina, standards of excellence, and respectful engagement in helping to cultivate ʻāina abundance and community well-being.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Operations

• ʻĀina Restoration: Use of tools and equipment for invasive species removal / management, native species propogation and out-planting, and fence / stone wall construction for ungulate control.

• Food Cultivation: Use of tools and equipment for clearing, preparing, planting, and harvesting food crop patches / fields with Hawaiian kupuna crops (ʻulu, kalo, ʻuala, maiʻa, etc.) and companion crops.

• Site Maintenance and Security: Use of tools and equipment for mowing, weed whacking, fenceline and accessway maintainence.

• Equipment / Vehicle Maintenance: Use of tools and equipment to clean, repair, and maintain small equipment, heavy machinery, and work vehicles.

• Community Group Hosting: Assisting Mālama ʻĀina Manager and Mālama ʻĀina Program Assistants with hosting of community volunteer groups. Evaluation and Continuous Learning

● Participates in regular huiMAU staff meetings and professional development workshops and training sessions to continuously learn, develop, and refine personal gifts and professional skills, to contribute to collective goals and objectives of huiMAU.

● Participates in annual performance reviews with the Mālama ʻĀina Manager and Executive Director to evaluate personal and collective performance and progress towards annual performance outcome goals, while also setting new goals and a strategic work plan for continued personal growth and accountability.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

● ALOHA - love and respect for this place we call home and this community to whom we belong.

● A humble and eager willingness to learn, grow, and work hard to acheive huiMAU’s ʻāina restoration goals in Koholālele and Paʻauilo.

● Good judgment, sharp observation skills, intuitiveness, coachability, and discipline

● Good time management skills.

● Strong work ethic and ability to work positively as a contributing team member in a fastpaced, demanding, and collaborative organization.

● Ability to breath, maintain composure, sensitivity, and flexibility during peak periods and challenging situations.

● A willingness to learn and embrace Hawaiian culture and values and to apply these values in the work of ʻāina restoration.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, OR EDUCATION:

● High School Diploma (or equivalent), with community-based competency of working on ʻāina.

● Possess valid and current State of Hawai‘i driver’s license and clean driving record.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

● Associate’s / Professional Degree in the fields of Natural / Cultural Resource Management, Agriculture, Hawaiian Studies, and/or Auto Mechanics.

● Work experience in ʻāina restoration, conservation, agriculture, and/or Hawai’i community- / ʻāina-based nonprofit organization work

● Chainsaw Safety and Tree Felling Certification

● Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certification

● Proficiency in and/or willingness to learn Hawaiian history, Hawaiian cultural practices, and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

● Work is physically taxing, and performed in outdoor environments with tropical climate temperatures, occasional use of shared office space, and in a variety of settings in the community.

● Out of area travel is required from time to time for professional development or other purposes – generally on Hawaiʻi Island, with potential off-island travel.

EQUIPMENT USE:

● Small Equipment: Mowers, Weed Whackers, Chainsaws

● Power tools (Drill, saws, etc.)

● Hand tools (Pick, sickle, shovel, ʻōʻō, etc.)

● Work Vehicles (4x4 Truck, UTV)