(CASUAL) Community Engagement Program Specialist

Salary: See Position Description
Location : UH Hilo, Hilo, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number:
Department: University of Hawai'i at Hilo
Division: Student Affairs - Educational Assistance Center
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 2026-02278
Description

Title: (CASUAL) Community Engagement Program Specialist
Hiring Unit: Kipuka Native Hawaiian Center
Position: *** Casual Hire ***
Location: UH Hilo
Date Posted: October 23, 2026
Closing Date: October 30, 2026
Salary: $51.00/hour
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: Casual Hire temporary appointment is expected to begin November 2026 or soon thereafter. Not to exceed 89 days.

Note: To ensure a consistent digital layout across third-party software platforms, Hawaiian language (kahako and okina) and other such diacritical marks have been omitted from this online posting. The University recognizes and respects the proper use of these markings in all official communications.

Duties: Under the general supervision of Director of Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center (Kipuka), responsible for the development, implementation, and management community engagement initiatives, strategic partnerships, and paid student internships in support of the UH Hilo U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institutions Program grant.

1. Develop, implement, and manage community engagement initiatives and strategic partnerships that support Activity 3 of the SIP grant, aligning activities with UH Hilo student success priorities and institutional capacity-building goals.
2. Build and sustain collaborative relationships with community organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to expand student engagement, experiential learning, and professional development.
3. Lead the design, execution, and implementation of a comprehensive paid internship program in collaboration with the Kipuka Student Development Coordinator, including developing program frameworks, partner agreements, placement matching, onboarding, performance monitoring, and evaluating student performance, and learning outcomes.
4. Create and facilitate, culturally responsive, place-based educational curricula, workshops, training materials, and community-engaged learning opportunities grounded in Hawaii's cultural values and community knowledge to support student learning, professional development, and career readiness.
5. Work with the Kipuka Student Development Coordinator, UH Hilo departments, student support programs, and community partners to identify student needs, establish internship and experiential learning opportunities, and strengthen connections between academic learning, community engagement, and post-graduation opportunities.
6. Develop program policies, procedures, partnership resources, and assessment tools to support the implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of community engagement initiatives and paid internship opportunities.
7. Establish policies, tracking systems, assessment tools, and data reporting to drive program improvement and grant compliance.
8. Work in multiple work settings and maintain a variable work schedule as required.
9. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in community engagement, community-based organizations, partnership development, educational programming, or related fields; or any equivalent combination of education and professional work experience that provides the required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
2. Demonstrated experience working with community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, or other community-serving institutions, including developing, maintaining, and strengthening collaborative relationships and partnerships.
3. Demonstrated working knowledge of community resources, organizations, and networks serving Hawaii, including the ability to identify opportunities for collaboration and connect students with community-based experiences and resources.
4. Experience developing and implementing place-based educational curricula, workshops, training materials, and educational resources grounded in Hawaii's values, communities, and knowledge systems.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of UH Hilo's student population, student support services, and campus resources.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively. Proficiency in the use of personal computers and standard office software applications.

To Apply: Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter explaining how qualifications are met
2. Current Resume
3. Names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references
4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment)

Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant. All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

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Inquiries: Hualani Loo,

Please refer to the Community Engagement Program Specialist Casual Hire when making inquiries.