Athletics Educator

Job Purpose

The Athletics Programs Educator candidate will have a strong background in youth athletics, fitness, and wellness, along with a commitment to working with youth, particularly those from Native Hawaiian communities. The Athletics Programs Educator will design, implement, and lead athletic practices, clinics, fitness activities, and workshops that engage and empower ʻōpio while supporting physical development, teamwork, confidence, discipline, and healthy lifestyles.

The Athletics Programs Educator will be responsible for teaching sport-specific skills, strength and conditioning fundamentals, injury-prevention practices, and positive sportsmanship. This role involves developing customized practice plans, staying current on coaching methods and athletic trends, and implementing Liliʻuokalani Center policies and procedures. The Athletics Programs Educator will be able to incorporate Hawaiian cultural education and values into programming and build relationships with local communities, schools, organizations, coaches, and cultural practitioners to provide meaningful hands-on experiences for ʻōpio.

Essential Responsibilities

Teaching Athletic Skills

• Demonstrate proper techniques and teach kamalei and ʻōpio how to safely use athletic equipment, weight room equipment, and training spaces.
• Teach fundamental sport-specific skills, movement mechanics, fitness principles, conditioning, teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship, and nutrition.
• Plan, gather, inspect, and organize equipment, supplies, and materials needed for practices, clinics, games, and events.
• Adhere to all safety procedures and ensure participants understand expectations for safe participation.
• Provide instruction and feedback that supports individual skill development and confidence.
  

Preparing Youth for Higher Education and Professional Opportunities

• Educate youth about opportunities in athletics, coaching, fitness, sports management, health and wellness, and related career pathways.
• Support youth in developing goal-setting, time-management, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
• Oversee student field experiences, athletic events, volunteer opportunities, and career exploration activities when applicable.
• Encourage academic success, positive decision-making, and healthy habits that support youth participation in athletics.
  

Creating Practice and Lesson Plans

• Develop and implement practice plans, basketball and volleyball lessons, clinics, and athletic programming that fulfill Liliʻuokalani Center program requirements while integrating Hawaiian culture and hands-on cultural experiences.
• Prepare activities that reflect accommodations for individual participant differences, skill levels, physical abilities, and learning styles.
• Assess participant strengths, needs, interests, and learning styles and use results to plan appropriate instructional activities.
• Establish clear goals and measurable outcomes for athletic, wellness, and youth-development programming.
  
  

Staying Up to Date

• Keep current on athletic trends, coaching techniques, strength and conditioning practices, youth development, injury prevention, and proper sports safety procedures.
• Participate in staff development activities, coaching clinics, trainings, and certifications to improve job-related skills.
  
  

Communicating

• Manage athletic program communications and coordination to ensure effective communication with youth, families, staff, community partners, and program participants.
• Collaborate with other educators, coaches, and staff to integrate athletics and wellness programming with other Liliʻuokalani Center activities.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships and open communication with parents, youth, colleagues, schools, coaches, and community members.
• Establish partnerships with local athletic organizations, schools, fitness professionals, cultural practitioners, and community groups.
• Communicate participant progress, expectations, schedules, safety concerns, and program updates in a timely and respectful manner.
  
  

Implementing Policies

• Implement Liliʻuokalani Center policies and procedures.
• Incorporate Native Hawaiian cultural values, practices, language, and ʻike into athletics and wellness programming.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness, participant engagement, attendance, and outcomes, adjusting programming as needed.
• Maintain appropriate participant records, incident reports, attendance, and program documentation.
  
  

Creating a Positive Athletic Environment

• Foster an athletic environment that encourages learning, personal growth, self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, and healthy living.
• Create a safe, inclusive, culturally grounded environment that is appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of youth.
• Promote positive sportsmanship, respect, accountability, and mālama for self, others, and community.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect youth, equipment, materials, and facilities.
  
  

Program Management and Organization

• Assist in selecting athletic equipment, training materials, uniforms, and other program resources.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe athletic facilities, storage areas, weight rooms, courts, fields, and activity spaces.
• Support coordination of athletic events, tournaments, clinics, camps, leagues, and community engagement activities.
• Assist with transportation, scheduling, facility reservations, equipment inventory, and event logistics as needed.
  
  

Professional Growth And Development

• Attend and participate in staff meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Maintain required coaching, safety, first aid, CPR, and other relevant certifications as assigned or required.
  
  

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Athletics Program Director or Liliʻuokalani Center leadership.
• Use sound judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate strong time-management and detail-oriented skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Show compassion, patience, consistency, and appropriate professional boundaries with youth and families.
• Contribute to the Trust’s success by accepting new assignments, helping team members, learning new skills, and striving to improve team and organizational results.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Exercise Science, Sports Management, Youth Development, Education, or a related field preferred.
• At least two years of experience coaching youth athletics, leading fitness or wellness programs, or working with youth in a recreational, educational, or community-based setting.
• Demonstrated experience in athletics, coaching, strength and conditioning, fitness instruction, or sports programming.
• Experience working with diverse youth and families and demonstrated ability to foster culturally responsive, inclusive, and respectful environments. Familiarity with Native Hawaiian culture and communities is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and clean traffic abstract.
• TB clearance.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain certification within a designated timeframe.
• Knowledge of sport-specific skills, fitness training methods, youth development principles, injury prevention, and athletic safety practices.
• General knowledge of curriculum development, instruction, and behavior management.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse youth populations, instruct participants, and manage behavior in a positive and culturally responsive manner.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, practices, games, clinics, tournaments, and community events as needed.
  
  

Job Competencies

• ‘Imi Naʻauao: a constant desire for seeking knowledge; lifelong learner.
• Poʻokele: desire to perform in excellence.
• Wiwoʻole: maintain a courageous, brave, and fearless mindset.
• Pono: understand the appropriateness of time, place, reason, people, and tools
• Kuleana: bring a deep sense of responsibility and accountability
• 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 convey and receive information and ideas. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills.
• Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work.
• Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations.
  
  

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

• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Stand for extended periods.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements of the position, including participating in athletic activities and remaining physically active for extended periods.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations and handle multiple tasks daily.
  
  

Terms and Conditions of Employment

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

Job Title: Athletic Educator

Reports to: Manager, Athletic Programs

FLSA Status: Exempt

Aligned Executive: President and CEO

Kīpuka: Liliʻuokalani Center

Department: Liliʻuokalani Center – Athletics

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.