Reports to: Recruiting Manager

Type: Non-Exempt

Kupu’s Story

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 recultivate 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 501(c)3 non-profit, Kupu empowers future generations to create a more sustainable, pono Hawai‘i.  Kupu accomplishes this by partnering with conservation and sustainability focused agencies throughout the state and pacific in providing hands-on service opportunities which educate and mentor young adults and emerging professionals to become stewards of our communities and environment.  Since 2007, Kupu has risen to meet the increasing demands of the green job sector by engaging over 3,000 youth in the areas of conservation, sustainability, and environmental education. 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 service-learning opportunities which assists in the development of Hawai’i’s emerging professionals in the green job sector while supporting over 150 conservation and sustainability organizations 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 CHOSEN Values

C         Character

H         Humility

O        ‘Ohana

S          Service

E          Excellence

N         Nobility

Position Overview

Strategic Recruitment and Outreach efforts are essential in driving Kupu’s program recruitment needs and desired outcomes. As part of the Recruiting Team, the Recruiting Specialist will contribute to the design, execution, and management of regional and program-specific recruitment strategies to achieve Kupu’s program recruiting goals. Through strategic branding, marketing, and communications, the Recruiting Specialist ensures that program positions meet target candidate application goals in alignment with program timelines. The Recruiting Team supports all Kupu programs in a wide range of outreach strategies, engages potential candidates, manages data collection and documentation, and handles related administrative duties.

• Develop and implement recruitment strategies 
  • o Collaborate with the Recruiting Team and Program staff to identify recruitment needs.
  • o Work closely with Recruiting Team to design and implement regional and/or program-specific recruitment strategies to achieve recruiting goals for all Kupu activities.
  • o Identify new and expanded recruitment opportunities.
  • o Build relationships with Kupu alumni, school and college contacts, nonprofit and government partners, and other institutional partnerships to engage them as advocates and volunteer recruiters of Kupu’s programs.
• Recruit Kupu members and participants
  • o Identify and attend job fairs, workshops, conferences, and hiring events to source potential applicants.
  • o Assist in training staff, alumni, and volunteers in recruiting presentations and other outreach methods.
  • o Maintain records of recruiting opportunities and recruiting metrics.
• Program marketing and recruiting material development
  • o Work closely with Recruiting Manager to design and implement a Kupu marketing strategy.
  • o Post ads and position opportunities on social media, in online and print media, in partner newsletters, on bulletin boards, and elsewhere.
  • o Create and/or update flyers, social media photo and video, website, and other outreach tools.
  • o Identify and order Kupu-branded supplies, presentation equipment, and giveaway items for outreach activities.
• Manage recruitment-related data
  • o Track and input recruitment contacts into Kupu database.
  • o Maintain and respond to relevant interest sent to Kupu’s outreach and general information emails.
  • o Maintain calendar of recruitment activities across programs (including events, social media, etc.).
• Other administrative and special event duties as needed.
• Conduct oneself with aloha and drive Kupu’s culture.
• Conduct oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission.
• Serve as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in marketing, outreach, and/or recruiting.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and meet Kupu’s driving abstract requirements.
• Available full-time Monday through Friday, as well as for possible weekends, evenings.
• Be willing and able to travel regularly (both air and ground, and occasionally with overnight stays).
• Meet Kupu’s criminal history check requirements.
• Possess strong personal familiarity with places and communities in Hawai‘i.
• Display excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external individuals.
• Have prior experience with handling administrative duties including but not limited to:
  • o Scheduling, Coordination, Data Management, etc.
• Possess strong computer/Microsoft Office skill level (Word/Excel/etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have experience utilizing a professional social media account (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, etc.).
• Display proficiency in Design Software (Canva, Video editing software, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Have experience creating and distributing outreach and advertisement material (e.g. Mailchimp, Facebook and Instagram Ad Manager, Spotify Ad Manager).
• Have experience with website design (Squarespace).
• Have experience with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems (e.g. Salesforce).

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay commensurate with experience
• Employer Paid Health Benefits
• PTO
• 401(k) plan with up to 4% match (eligible after one year and 1,000 hours of service)
• Other lifestyle benefits (travel, entertainment, gym reimbursement)

Physical Requirements:

Due to the nature of Kupu’s programs, the physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ascending or descending stairs.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
• Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds in all directions.
• Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

*In accordance with Federal Law, Kupu is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability