Program Coordinator

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

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, Plastic Free Hawaiʻi, ʻĀINA In Schools, Kōkua Learning Farm Youth Internship Program, Kōkua Learning Farm Field Trips, Kōkua Compost Program. The ideal candidate has experience with hands-on waste reduction and ʻāina-based education. They also have experience working with various communities throughout Hawaiʻi, including school administration, faculty, students, community groups, and volunteers.

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, in order to successfully deliver programs.
• Lead and assist with program events, including planning, delivery, supplies, and other logistics. Program events may include recycling drives, beach cleanups, waste reduction service events, school presentations, classroom visits, community outreach events, and educator trainings at partner schools and sites throughout Oʻahu and on the Kōkua Learning Farm in Haleʻiwa.
• Procure, distribute, and track inventory of program supplies. 
• 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 – KHF assigns additional program support responsibilities in the areas of Food, Waste, and/or Place, based on employee experience and expertise. The ideal candidate for this position brings extensive experience in waste reduction systems and practices to support the following program areas:

3Rs School Program - empowers students to engage and educate their school community about the 3Rs of waste reduction,

• Lead coordination and implementation of educational trainings/presentations and distribute educational materials to schools participating in the 3R’s School Program. 
• Assist Oʻahu schools with implementation of student-led on-campus recycling systems.
• Coordinate and promote 3R’s Recycling Drives at Oʻahu DOE schools with recycling partners, school administration, teachers, students, and community groups.
• 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.

Plastic Free Hawaiʻi - provides resources, tools, and trainings to educate about the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free to minimize single-use plastics in our islands

• Lead coordination and promotion of beach cleanups with partners, schools, businesses, and/or community groups, including coordination of permits and refuse pickup/drop off.
• Lead the annual Plastic Free Hawaiʻi School Mural Contest, including creation of promotional materials, contest logistics and communications, and coordination of the PFH School Mural Art Show.
• Manage the Plastic Free Hawaiʻi Water Refill Stations. This includes:
• Transporting water stations to various community events around Oʻahu
• Setting up and breaking down water stations at community events.
• Tracking and guiding the use of the Plastic Free Hawai’i Water Refill Stations for schools, community groups, and partner organizations.
• Maintaining and repairing the water stations as needed.
• Identify opportunities, promote and support composting, cafeteria waste audits, campus waste audits, and waste reduction campaigns in schools, community events and businesses
• Kōkua Compost Program - engages keiki & community in hands-on learning about the importance of turning food scraps into compost
• Assist with developing and delivering education materials and curriculum related to composting using various composting systems, from backyard vermicast (worm) systems, to an in-vessel industrial scale compost machine.
• Support weekly collection of food scraps, data collection, monitoring, cleaning, and maintenance for various composting systems. 
•  Farm Education

KLF Field Trips - engages students with an enriching farm experience while allowing them to explore various aspects of agriculture

• Lead school-aged students and their teachers and chaperones in hands-on farm-based learning.
• Integrate KHF educational programs and resources related to food, waste, and place, as appropriate to the school and age group.

KLF Youth Internship - provides on-farm training to build skills around agroecology, food production, culinary explorations, soil health, and composting,

• Support teens in growing and cooking healthy local food, promoting soil health, connecting to place, and engaging in service learning activities throughout the Kōkua Learning Farm.

ʻĀINA In Schools - a farm to school initiative connecting children to their local land, waters, and food to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi,

• Support ʻĀINA In Schools education teams (faculty, staff, parents, volunteers) with program needs and assist with continued integration of all ʻĀINA In Schools components, including the Waste Reduction component.

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
• Composting organic waste to reduce waste and promote soil health
• ʻĀina-based education and garden-based learning
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in workflow, schedule, and communications
• Experience working with children and teachers in a school or outdoor 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 the 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 recycling drives, beach cleanups, water station installation, trainings, and in-vessel compost machine 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 Canva
• Able to work on Saturdays and some evenings 
• Has their own mobile phone and willingness to use it for communications with KHF, schools, and volunteers (communication reimbursement provided)
• Has regular access to a personal vehicle for frequent school visits and meetings/events 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 the work week includes most Saturdays and some evenings. The ideal candidate must 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. The Coordinator will work both from the KHF office in Haleʻiwa and will attend school events and meetings at various locations around Oʻahu. 

How to Apply: Email cover letter and resume with three references to jobs@kokuahawaiifoundation.org. We are looking for someone to start for the 2026-27 academic year. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, please apply ASAP.

Optional: Include sample work products related to farming and the role of school gardens, nutrition, compost, and/or waste reduction, in education.