Student Services Specialist
University of Hawai'i, Kapi'olani Community College, Office for Student Affairs, Kapo'oloku program is seeking applications for a Student Services Specialist position. This student support specialist reports to the Counselor/Coordinator for the Native Hawaiian program. This position is responsible for managing daily program operations, serving as the point of contact for students, and organizing engagement and success activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Under the general direction of the Counselor/Coordinator, oversees and carries out the day-to-day operations of the Kapo'oloku Program and Student Spaces, including ensuring adequate staffing coverage, continuity of services, and effective delivery of program activities.
- Implements established program services, activities, and initiatives in alignment with program goals under the guidance and supervision provided by the Counselor/Coordinator.
- Maintains office operations, including scheduling, front-line service coordination, and ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for students.
- Implements outreach and follow-up activities as directed to support relationship building "Pilina", student engagement, persistence, and connection to services.
- Facilitates referrals and ensures timely follow-through on student support needs.
- Oversees the daily operations of the Native Hawaiian peer mentor program, including scheduling, monitoring participation, and ensuring adequate coverage of peer support services.
- Works in close collaboration with the Integrated Student Services position to plan and coordinate peer mentor recruitment, training, professional development, and ongoing activities, ensuring consistent implementation and alignment with overall student service delivery and program goals.
- Provides lead direction to peer mentors and student employees, including assigning tasks, monitoring work, and supporting training and onboarding.
- Collects, tracks, and maintains student participation and program data for reporting purposes, including grant and institutional reporting requirements.
- Ensures accuracy and timeliness of data entry and documentation in coordination with established reporting processes.
- Assists in compiling data and preparing routine reports to support program evaluation and compliance.
- Works with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and program leadership to support data collection efforts.
- Supports the coordination and delivery of student engagement activities that promote belonging, identity development, and academic success.
- Coordinates procurement of supplies, materials, and services necessary for program operations, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and procedures.
- Maintains inventory of program supplies and ensures resources are available to support daily operations and activities.
- Assists with tracking expenditures and maintaining documentation in support of program budgets and grant requirements.
- Develops and implements a program communication plan to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent dissemination of information about program services, activities, and resources to students and campus partners.
- Maintains and updates program communications, including website content, outreach materials, and office publications, ensuring alignment with the communication plan and program priorities.
- Responds to inquiries from students and internal and external campus partners and provides information about program services.
- Supports logistical coordination for meetings, events, and program activities.
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies, Counseling, Education, Social Work, Public Administration, or a related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in student services, program coordination, or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated.
- Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in the area of student services, program development, and student success strategies as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.
- Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and theories and systems related to student services and higher education programs.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply work processing software, and standard office software applications.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and assess programs, including use of data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions within established policies and program goals.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including preparation of reports and presentations.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience supporting Native Hawaiian students in higher education, including program development, advising, or culturally grounded student success initiatives.
- Experience with grant-funded programs, including compliance, reporting, and program evaluation.
- Considerable knowledge of Native Hawaiian culture, language, history, and community resources.
- Experience using student success technologies (e.g., CRM systems, early alert platforms) to support outreach and engagement.
- Demonstrated commitment to Kapi'olani Community College's vision of becoming a model indigenous-serving institution.
- Experience managing and supervising others.
- Evidence of commitment to Kapi'olani Community College's vision of positioning itself as a model indigenous serving institution whose graduates strengthen the social, economic, and sustainable advancement of Hawai'i and the world.
To Apply:
Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. In addition to the Application, applicants must attach the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- The names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references; and
- Official graduate and undergraduate transcript(s) showing degree and coursework to date appropriate to the position (copies of official transcripts are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.) Transcripts issued 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. The expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.
- Academic record/grade summaries will NOT be accepted
- Diplomas and copies will NOT be accepted
Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.
