Full-Time or Part-Time Program Coordinator

Position Title: Full-Time or Part-Time Program Coordinator

Location: Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

Reports to: Chief Program Officer

About the Organization: Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2003 that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaiʻi. We provide opportunities that enhance appreciation for and understanding of the environment to inspire lifelong stewards of the earth. In 2019 KHF acquired 8 acres of land in Haleʻiwa to establish agricultural, educational, and retail activities that benefit the community and promote local food, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. 

Position Description: Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation (KHF) operates a range of environmental education programs. Program Coordinators help to support, strengthen and grow KHF programs in their area of experience and interest. Programs include: the 3Rs School Program empowering students to engage and educate their school community about the 3Rs of waste reduction, Plastic Free Hawaiʻi providing resources, tools, and trainings to educate about the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free to minimize single-use plastics in our islands, ʻĀINA In Schools, a farm to school initiative connecting children to their local land, waters, and food to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi, and two new programs on the Kōkua Learning Farm (KLF) including the KLF Youth Internship Program and KLF Field Trips. The ideal candidate has experience with hands-on waste reduction, garden-based learning, nutrition education and/or ʻāina-based education. They also have experience working with various communities throughout Hawaiʻi, including school administration, faculty, students, community groups, and volunteers.

Key Strategies: KHF cultivates long-lasting behavior change around sustainability by engaging students, educators, families, and communities, in hands-on environmental stewardship. We provide inspiration, resources, experiences, and connections that:

• Promote Local and Healthy Food Awareness, Production, and Consumption

  • Connecting to where our food comes from

  • Growing and cooking more healthy local food

  • Eating more local fruits and vegetables

• Empower Viable Waste Reduction Systems and Practices

  • Practicing the 3Rs and going beyond them

  • Replacing single-use with reusable systems

  • Composting organic waste

• Foster ʻĀina- and Place-Based Respect, Understanding, and Practice

  • Connecting with community

  • Putting Hawaiian values, language, and culture Into practice

  • Practicing mālama ʻāina

Roles and Responsibilities: 

General Support for KHF Programs

• Collaborate with KHF program staff and school education teams in planning and implementing programs and trainings at participating schools throughout Oʻahu and on the Kōkua Learning Farm in Haleʻiwa.

• Develop and maintain relationships and communication with school administrators, teachers, students, and partner organizations, including understanding the diverse needs of the communities they serve.

• Lead and assist with program events, including planning, delivery, supplies, and other logistics. Program events may include, recycling drives, waste reduction service events, school presentations, classroom visits, educator trainings, school and/or community garden builds, etc. at partner schools and sites throughout Oʻahu and on the Kōkua Learning Farm in Haleʻiwa.

• Procure, distribute, and track inventory of program supplies. 

• Support locally sourced healthy foods and snacks for program events, menu selection, budgeting, purchasing, and preparation of healthy, local foods. 

• Coordinate and recruit program partners for field trip opportunities and classroom visits for schools. 

• Provide photos, video, written content, and participant testimonials from program events and outreach events for newsletters, social media and in-house reports.

Specialized Support for KHF Programs – Additional program support responsibilities to be assigned in the areas of Food, Waste, and/or Place, based on employee experience and expertise, from the following KHF programs:

• Plastic Free Hawaiʻi

  • Implement the annual Plastic Free Hawaiʻi School Mural Contest

  • Provide greening consultation to approved partners who are seeking to reduce/eliminate plastic, including offering KHF’s Plastic Free Hawaiʻi water refill stations, Reusable Cup Program and Plastic Free Event resources

  • Coordinate and promote beach cleanups with partners, schools, businesses, or community groups, including coordination of permits and refuse pickup/drop off 

  • Identify opportunities, promote and support composting, cafeteria waste audits, campus waste audits, and waste reduction campaigns in schools

•  3Rs School Programs

  • Develop and maintain relationships with school administrators, teachers and students to successfully establish the 3R’s School Program at schools

  • Coordinate and implement educational trainings/presentations and distribute educational materials to schools participating in the 3R’s School Program components, including the 3R’s Bin Program and 3R’s Recycling Drives

  • Coordinate and assist Oʻahu schools with implementation of student-led on-campus recycling systems, using KHF provided recycling bins and 3Rs Program materials

  • Coordinate and promote 3R’s Recycling Drives at Oʻahu DOE schools with recycling partners, school administration, teachers, students, and community groups

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships and communication with recycling partners 

  • Recruit, engage, and provide pre-event and on-site orientation for all 3R’s Program Event volunteers and student helpers

  • Provide on-site logistical support, coordination, and direction at all 3R’s Program Events

• ʻĀINA In Schools

  • Support ʻĀINA In Schools education teams (faculty, staff, parents, volunteers) with their school’s program needs and assist with continued integration of all ʻĀINA In Schools components

  • Communicate with participating ʻĀINA school teams and teachers regarding trainings, curricula implementation, lesson scheduling, garden work parties, supplies, reimbursements, etc.

  • Procure, distribute, and track inventory of ʻĀINA lesson supplies and work with volunteers for supply preparation

  • Organize and lead 'AINA Educator Trainings and provide on-site trainings for school teams 

  • Provide technical assistance for developing and utilizing school gardens

  • Oversee, support and assist network of all ʻĀINA In Schools Garden Clubs, including procuring supplies, overseeing budgets, and providing network opportunities for Garden Club Advisors

  • Manage the editing and printing of all ʻĀINA In Schools lesson plans, workbooks, and training materials

  • Teach ʻĀINA nutrition, garden and compost lessons at schools and support other program components as needed

Data Tracking, Networking, and Administration 

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date program contact lists and organize timely, targeted program communications, using KHF’s Google Drive and CRM system.

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date digital systems for planning program operations, tracking program impact, and managing team tasks.

• Track and report on program inputs, outputs, and outcomes in a timely and accurate manner.

• Assist with developing and implementing evaluation tools. 

• Represent KHF at conferences, meetings, and other events. 

• Assist with other KHF related tasks as needed.

• Seek and participate in professional development opportunities.

Desired Traits, Skills, and Experience: 

The ideal candidate meets most of these qualifications and is willing and able to develop further skills through on-the-job training and mentorship.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with practicing and teaching at least one of the following program areas:

  • The 3Rs, reducing single-use plastic & plastic pollution, and promoting waste reduction processes and practices 

  • Nutrition, health and wellness, and food safety and preparation 

  • Gardening and garden-based learning

  • Composting organic waste to reduce waste and promote soil health

• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in workflow, schedule, and communications

• Experience working with children and teachers in a school setting 

• Experience developing and formatting educational curricula, lesson plans, and materials 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in diverse communities  

• Strong written language skills, including ability to create, compose, and edit written materials 

• Excellent speaking and presentation skills 

• Experience working with, organizing, and leading volunteers 

• Highly organized, tidy, and detail oriented 

• First Aid trained, or willingness to be trained

• Beginning level proficiency in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or interest and commitment to learning

• Commitment to sustainability, intersectional environmentalism, and growing a healthier future for Hawaiʻi 

• Proactive and able to work independently and in a collaborative work environment 

• Able to lift up to 50+ pounds and work outdoors for extended periods of time for garden lessons, trainings, and maintenance 

• Strong Apple computer skills and proficiency in Google Suite (Drive, Calendars, Docs, Sheets, Slides), and the ability to learn to use new programs and databases as needed. 

• Proficiency in InDesign and Canva

• Able to work on Saturdays and some evenings 

• Coordinator must have own mobile phone communications with KHF, schools, and volunteers (communication reimbursement provided)

• Coordinator must have reliable access to personal vehicle for frequent school visits and meetings at multiple locations around Oʻahu (mileage reimbursement provided)

• 3 years Hawaiʻi-based work experience and 3 Hawaiʻi-based professional references

• BA/BS degree or higher, in a related field, or commensurate skills through experience

Hours and compensation: Full-time and part-time positions are available, and include frequent Saturdays and some evenings. The ideal full-time candidate often will be available to work Tuesday-Saturday. Pay starts between $20-$23/hour based on qualifications and experience. Medical benefits and a 401(k) with employer match are available for employees working more than 20 hours per week.

Location: Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Coordinator will work both from the KHF office in Haleʻiwa and will attend school events and meetings at various locations around Oʻahu. Coordinator may also need to travel to other Hawaiian islands or the continental U.S. for training, conferences, or presentations. 

How to Apply: Please email cover letter and resume with three references to jobs@kokuahawaiifoundation.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications received by March 1 will receive top priority. Optional: Include sample work products related to farming and the role of school gardens, nutrition, compost, and/or waste reduction, in education.