Student Services Specialist (Basic Needs and Student Engagement Coordinator)

Position Title: Student Services Specialist (Basic Needs & Student Engagement Coordinator)

Position No:0097416

Hiring Unit: Office for Student Affairs

Location:Kapiolani Community College

Date Posted:May 7 2026

Closing Date:May:59 PM HST

Pay Band: B

Salary:Salary schedules and placement information

Full-Time/Part-Time:Full-Time

Temporary/Permanent:Permanent

Introduction:

The position is administered by the Office of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Kapiolani Community College. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA) is charged with administrative control for planning and administering all programs and services within the Student Affairs units. The specific functions of this organizational unit include outreach and admissions financial aid graduation and transcript evaluations credit and non-credit registration student engagement student counseling for specific and targeted populations student grievances and complaints and related learning support services.

The role entails providing essential support to support Student Success at KapiolaniCommunity College within the Student Affairs units. This position intentionally integrates basic needs support with student engagement efforts recognizing that students are more likely to persist and thrive when their foundational needs are met and they feel a sense of belonging within the campus community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(NOTE: ** Denotes Essential Functions)

• **Oversees the daily operations staffing inventory management and data tracking of the Kapiolani CC Food Pantry and other basic needs support services.

• **Identifies cultivates and sustains relationships with community-based organizations non-profits government agencies and service providers that support students basic needs well-being and engagement.

• **Provides case management referrals and follow-up to connect students with emergency aid public benefits (e.g. SNAP WIC) community resources and campus support.

• Uses trauma-informed culturally responsive approaches to support students navigating crisis or hardship.

• **Collects analyzes and reports basic needs data to inform program improvement and support institutional planning.

• **Collaborates closely with Academic Counseling units TRIO Student Parent Program Native Hawaiian Student Success Veterans Support Financial Aid Mental Health Services and other support units.

• **Maintains accurate documentation and ensures compliance with FERPA ADA/504 Title IX and UH policies.

• **Supports the design of early-alert retention and outreach strategies in coordination with Enrollment Services and Student Affairs leadership.

• Assists with crisis response and referrals to mental health or emergency services when appropriate.

• **Serves on Kapiolani Community Colleges behavioral intervention team.

• **Partners with other Student Affairs programs and other campus units to design implement and assess student engagement initiatives that support retention persistence and well-being with particular attention to students experiencing food insecurity housing instability financial stress or caregiving responsibilities.

• Aligns engagement efforts with institutional priorities including the strategic plans and Kapiolanis vision and mission.

• **Coordinates engagement-focused campaigns related to well-being resource awareness and student success (e.g. Basic Needs Awareness Week Financial Literacy events SNAP outreach drives).

• **Supports the development of peer-to-peer engagement models volunteer programs and service-learning opportunities connected to basic needs and wellness.

• **Provides workshops presentations and classroom outreach on basic needs resources and success strategies.

• **Serves as KapiolaniCCs representative on the UH System Basic Needs Committee and other pertinent working groups.

• **Participates in Student Affairs committees cross-unit collaborations and campus planning efforts related to retention equity and student success.

• Coordinates engagement efforts with programs serving specific student populations (e.g. Student Parents Veterans TRIO Early College Returning Adults).

• Contributes to grant writing program assessment and strategic planning for basic needs and student engagement initiatives.

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Education Higher Education Social Sciences Social Work Psychology Human Resources Business Communications Arts and Sciences Human Development Human Services Health Sciences or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for managing and coordinating comprehensive student support and engagement programs; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education knowledge skills knowledge and abilities as indicated.

• Considerable working knowledge of principles practices and techniques in the area of student activities/affairs 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 associated with student activities/affairs.

• 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 and apply word processing software.

• Ability and willingness to work outside of regular scheduled business hours including evenings and/or weekends.

• Ability to travel independently in a timely and efficient manner to various locations on Oahu and statewide to attend meetings and events.

• Demonstrated ability to lead subordinates manage work priorities and projects and manage employee relations.

Desirable Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of professional experience working in higher education or community-based social services.

• Knowledge of SNAP eligibility public benefits systems and community resource navigation.

• At least one (1) year of professional experience coordinating basic needs programs (food pantry emergency aid housing support).

• At least one (1) year of professional experience managing and directing student employees.

• At least one (1) year of professional experience planning college campus events or equivalent.

• At least one (1) year of professional experience with trauma-informed and culturally grounded approaches.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain a professional relationship with students and colleagues.

• Demonstrated ability to support student organizations through active leadership guidance and support by means of workshops seminars and overall student development from the lens of student development theory.

• Evidence of commitment to Kapiolani Community Colleges vision of positioning itself as a model indigenous serving institution whose graduates strengthen the social economic and sustainable advancement of Hawaii and the world.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILLNOTBE CONSIDERED(Read the To Apply section carefully)

To Apply:

Click on the Apply button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required addition to the Application applicants must attach the following:

1. Cover letter;

2. Resume;

3. The names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references; and

4. 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 willNOTbe considered.

NOTE:

• The application will be incomplete if materials are unreadable illegible password protected missing or corrupted; therefore late or incomplete applications will not be considered. All requested documents/information become the property of Kapiolani Community College and will not be returned.

• Please do not include any self-identifying photos and redact any references to confidential information on submitted documents (social security number date of birth etc.).

• Applications lacking copies of transcripts will be reviewed based on work experience equivalency to meet minimum qualifications (MQs). All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date.

• If you have not applied for a position before using NEOGOV you will need to create an account.

Inquiries: Kapiolani Community College HR Department

The University of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information visit: is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawaii may be viewed at: or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawaii complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information please refer to the following link: