Program Associate (Ranch)

Job Purpose
The Program Associate supports the delivery of high quality, inclusive, and culturally responsive programming across multiple LT Ranch pathways. While this role has a primary emphasis on the Creative Arts pathway (including ceramics and visual arts), the Program Associate also provides general program support to other pathways as needed. This entry level position assists with program preparation, kamalei support, logistics, and daily operations, including evening and residential programming, with up to 12 week long camps per year. The role helps ensure a safe, well coordinated, and nurturing program environment.

About LT Ranch
LT Ranch is a nature based program of Liliʻuokalani Trust that provides immersive, healing centered experiences for Native Hawaiian kamalei through ʻāina, animals, and art pathways. Located in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island, the Ranch offers residential and after school programs designed to strengthen emotional well being, cultural identity, and personal growth within a safe, supportive environment. Programs are intentionally structured to help youth build resilience, develop meaningful connections, and awaken their inherent potential through guided, experiential learning rooted in Hawaiian values.

Essential Responsibilities
Creative Arts & Pathway Support

• Supports the Creative Arts pathway through studio preparation, materials organization, and assistance with hands on activities, including ceramics, visual arts, mixed media, and related disciplines.
• Provides general program support across additional Ranch pathways as needed, assisting program leads with setup, facilitation, and kamalei engagement.
• Helps prepare spaces, materials, and supplies for a variety of program activities, adapting support based on daily program needs.
• Offers encouragement and guidance to kamalei across pathways, supporting confidence building, participation, and positive group experiences.

Program Operations & Kamalei Support

• Assists with daily program logistics, including transitions between activities, youth supervision, and maintaining safe, organized program environments.
• Provides support during residential evening programs, including supervision, activity support, and schedule transitions.
• Assists with transportation needs, including driving kamalei, staff, and supplies as required for program activities and huakaʻi.
• Supports meal service and coordination as needed, including setup, cleanup, and supervision during mealtimes.

General Administrative & Logistical Support

• Provides general administrative support, including data entry, documentation, form uploads, and basic program tracking.
• Assists with inventory, ordering, and organization of program supplies across pathways.
• Participates in weekly program meetings and contributes to planning, coordination, and communication efforts.
• Supports program staff with setup, cleanup, and logistical needs for events, activities, and special programs.

Other Duties

• Contributes to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organization results.
• Contributes to providing a safe environment for teammates and beneficiaries which includes, communicating to Manager any concerns regarding facilities and vehicles.
• Provides transportation for organization related business, such as driving staff, beneficiaries and/or families to assigned destinations.
• Participates in continuing education and training opportunities for professional development.
• Must offer schedule flexibility with holiday, evening, and weekend hours
• Ability to travel as needed for Trust business.
• Supports with referrals to Mālama Line

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Associates Degree.
• Demonstrated interest in creative, cultural, or experiential youth programs, with openness to supporting multiple program pathways.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a creative and kamalei-centered environment. Capability to meet deadlines and manage schedules effectively. Strong communication skills.
• Flexibility and time management skills as camps involve evening hours support. Flexibility to handle changing priorities and situations
• Excellent written and interpersonal skills, including the ability to tailor communications to different audiences and actively listen. High level of accuracy when handling paperwork and data entry.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to research broad range of topics on the internet
• Must have a strong personal fit with our non-hierarchical, no ego, strong moral compass, intellectually honest, meritocratic culture.
• Valid driver license, clean traffic abstract, and access to a privately owned automobile with valid no-fault insurance.
• TB clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with studio environments (ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
• Experience working with youth or community-based arts programs
• Basic understanding of classroom management or instructional support
• Proficient knowledge of Mac and Microsoft Office Programs
• First Aid and CPR/AED Certification

Job Competencies

• Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services
• Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility. Uphold and embody all LT values.
• Communication: Clearly conveys and receives information and ideas to individuals or groups that engages the listener and invites response and feedback. Demonstrates good written, oral, and listening skills.
• Cultural Competence: Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and is sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work.
• Relationship Building and Emotional Intelligence: Relatable, self-aware and empathetic with strong emotional intelligence.
• Organizational Development: Has a strong philosophy of innovation and a successful track record in change management. Influences to lead and support changing initiatives.
• Culture Competence: Ready to support the Trust as it applies a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to all aspects of work.

Organization Competencies

• Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.
• Ho'omau i ka 'imi Na'auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Ho'ike i na Mana'o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
• No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations
• Ho'o kumu a'e or 'Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
• Pilina Ho'ohana a me ka Hana Hilina'i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.
• Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives.
• Ho'onui I ka 'Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Mental and Physical Demands
Requires frequent sitting, bending, standing. Performs light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting up to 30 pounds. Ability to lift and move art supplies/equipment as needed (up to ~30 lbs).

Terms and Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Job Title: Program Associate Reports to: LT Ranch Program Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Aligned Executive: Kamaliʻi Wellbeing, Executive Directory
Kipuka: LT Ranch Department: Programs

Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital/civil union status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, credit history, disability or veteran/military status or other applicable legally protected characteristics.