Program Specialist (Environmental Education Leaders)

Kupu’s Story

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. 

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

The work of Kupu's Environmental Education Department (EED) is innovative, exciting, and fast-paced, with many new and changing projects. The Program Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the coordination and successful execution of EED programs and initiatives. This position will focus on supporting Kupu’s work with Department of Education (DOE) schools by overseeing our Environmental Education Leaders (EELs), rising professionals passionate and experienced in the fields of NR and education, who will work in schools with educators and community partners to provide hands-on, work-based and ʻāina-based learning opportunities to students. Working in collaboration with the school-based initiatives Program Manager and the rest of the EED team, the Program Specialist[ will help design and build interest in Natural Resources (NR) Career Pathways as well as support the EED’s role as an intermediary by facilitating relationships and connections between EELs and NR Sector industry partners in Hawaiʻi.  

Program Goals

Kupu’s Environmental Education Department (EED) works to prepare and inspire Hawaiʻi youth to pursue postsecondary and career opportunities in natural resources. To support these efforts, we convene a Natural Resources Sector Partnership (NRSP); work in intermediate and high schools to provide work-based and ʻāina-based learning directly to students through our school-based initiatives; provide out-of-school opportunities for 6th-12th graders; offer professional development to educators; and work in partnership to provide strategic support at the school, district, and Department of Education-level. We have the long-term goal of helping to build a homegrown natural resources workforce in Hawaiʻi. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conduct oneself with aloha and drive Kupu’s culture.
• Conduct oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission.
• Serves as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values.

Environmental Education Leaders Management

• Oversee and manage the Environmental Education Leaders (EELs) virtually and in-person, both individually and as a cohort
• Support and guide individual EEL/school-specific projects and endeavors, including relevant budgets
• Prepare EELs to support other EED and wider Kupu program initiatives (e.g. program recruitment, tabling and other community outreach)

Program Recruitment

• Develop recruitment plan/timeline in consultation with EED and recruitment staff
• Lead interviewing, selection, and onboarding of EELs in consultation with EED staff and Admin

Program Planning (in partnership with SBI Program Manager)

• Evaluate program needs, goals, delivery systems, and outcomes
• Develop new policies, procedures, and program elements, as needed
• Conduct orientation and organize professional development opportunities for EELs, including budget management
• Assist with planning, management, coordination, and evaluation of additional EED programs

Program Evaluation and Data Reporting

• Lead EEL performance reviews and teacher check-ins[KH5][EH6] 
• Support the synthesis and review of EEL data and development of reports for schools, funders, and other program partners
• Improve, refine, and develop evaluation methods of EELs in partnership with program staff

Administrative Support

• Support set up and execution of purchasing, timesheets, and vehicle management as related to EELs
• Ensure timely completion and submission of all program administrative requirements (including reports, surveys, paperwork, etc.)
• Support other administrative duties and functions as needed (e.g., expense reporting, financial processing, etc.)

Program Alignment and Support

• Work with EED staff to develop and improve internal department systems, communications, and tools to improve efficiencies and alignment across programs
• Collaborate with EED staff on strategic planning efforts, including planning for successful department growth

Program Development (as related to School-Based Initiatives and EELs)

• Research, write, and prepare proposals, grants, and other funding opportunities
• Assist in the management of grants awarded to EED including but not limited to budgets, compliance, and reporting
• Assist in the management and implementation of contracts, agreements, procurement, budgets, and other administrative matters
• Assist in the development and management of the EED budget. 

Partnership Development and Maintenance

• Develop and maintain strong, lasting relationships with a range of educational and community partners

Other

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree OR 2 years of equivalent experience 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.
• 3 years of experience in the field of natural resources, aloha ʻāina and/or education.
• Experience with project or program planning and management.
• Supervisory experience (formal or informal)
• Experience in evaluating programs and projects.
• Experience with report writing and data organization and presentation.
• Self-driven individual, able to establish priorities, operate with multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to learn and to develop new skills independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work authentically with people from different backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Relevant experience building and maintaining relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office, Google Suites, and other web-based programs).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and/or commitment to Hawaiʻi's natural resource management, mālama ʻāina, 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 with event planning and facilitation.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay range: $19.21-$21.45 per hour based on experience
• Employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• PTO
• Eligible for 401(k) plan after one year of service and 1,000 hours of service
• Lifestyle benefits (gym reimbursement, ticket discounts, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift 35lbs.
• May be required to work in outdoor settings with wind, rain and sun exposure.

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