Student Services Specialist (Makamakalehua First-Year Student Coordinator) (0097724)

Title: Student Services Specialist (Makamakalehua First-Year Student Coordinator)
Position Number:
Hiring Unit: Student Affairs Educational Assistance Center
Location: UH at Hilo
Date Posted: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 09/14/2026
Band: B
Salary : salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Month: 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Position Overview:

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawaii recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the islands extraordinary geological biological and cultural diversity. A comprehensive regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawaii System UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science geology astronomy and Hawaiian language revitalization while advancing research scholarship and creative activity that support community needs environmental stewardship Indigenous knowledge systems and workforce development for the State of Hawaii.

The Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center (Kipuka) advances Native Hawaiian student success by fostering culturally responsive learning environments programs and support services. Grounded in the philosophy that Native Hawaiian-centered approaches strengthen success for all students Kipuka welcomes and engages the broader UH Hilo community through its programs and initiatives.

Makamakalehua is Kipukas comprehensive student support initiative providing coordinated transition engagement and success programming from entry through graduation. The Makamakalehua First-Year Student Coordinator operates within a shared student success framework alongside the Makamakalehua Second-Year Student Coordinator and the Makamakalehua Student Development Coordinator. Together the team collaborates to align program design peer mentorship assessment and campus partnerships while each coordinator maintains primary responsibility for their respective student populations and programmatic areas. The First-Year Student Coordinator leads initiatives that support students transitions to UH Hilo through culturally grounded practices rooted in Hawaii values olelo Hawaii relationship-building and place-based learning. Through these efforts the coordinator supports students transition to UH Hilo and fosters belonging engagement leadership development academic success and meaningful connections to Hawaii Island community and place.

Duties and Responsibilities (* denotes essential functions):

1. *Plan coordinate and manage the Makamakalehua First-Year Student Program including the development and implementation of a structured peer mentorship program that supports students academic cultural and social transition to UH Hilo. Ensure program activities align with Kipukas student success framework through the integration of Hawaii values olelo Hawaii place-based learning and evidence-informed student success practices.

2. *Administer and manage the peer mentorship platform (e.g. Mentor Collective or similar systems) including coordinating mentor-mentee matching facilitating and monitoring communication and engagement and training and supervising peer mentors in effective platform use; serve as the primary liaison with the platform provider and participate in regular coordination meetings to support implementation and continuous program improvement.

3. *Recruit hire train supervise and evaluate peer mentors supporting first-year student programming.

4. *Coordinate and oversee peer-mentor-led workshops events and activities that promote first-year student success and foster connection to place community and campus through culturally grounded engagement opportunities leadership development and relationship-building.

5. *Design and facilitate additional programming that integrates Hawaii values olelo Hawaii and place-based approaches in collaboration with the Makamakalehua coordinator team to foster connection belonging and student success among first-year students.

6. Develop and facilitate ongoing training and professional development for peer mentors including leadership development communication skills culturally responsive practices Hawaiian values-based approaches to student support and referral protocols.

7. Build partnerships with UH Hilo departments faculty student services and community partners to support coordinated services and referrals for first-year students.

8. Maintain accurate records of student participation and engagement and assist with program assessment evaluation and reporting efforts.

9. Work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed and perform other duties in support of Makamakalehua initiatives and broader campus student success efforts.

10. All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Higher Education Student Affairs Education Hawaiian Studies Indigenous Studies Sociology Psychology Social Sciences Human Services or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for student success student engagement educational programming community engagement or related programs; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education knowledge skills and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

1. Considerable working knowledge of principles practices and techniques in the area of student success student engagement or student development in education as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts principles and methodologies.
2. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws rules regulations and theories and systems associated with student success student engagement or student development in education.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
5. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations groups team leaders and members and individuals.
6. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer apply word processing software and student information and engagement systems (e.g. Mentor Collective or similar platforms).
7. If applicable for supervisory work demonstrated ability to lead subordinates manage work priorities and projects and manage employee relations.
8. Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations in ways that are culturally responsive and inclusive.
9. Demonstrated proficiency in olelo Hawaii and the ability to integrate Hawaiian language into programming student engagement activities and educational environments.
10. Demonstrated knowledge of Hawaii values culturally grounded approaches to student engagement and the role of place-based learning in supporting students success belonging and community connection.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Masters degree in Higher Education Student Affairs Education Hawaiian Studies Indigenous Studies or closely related field.
2. Knowledge of student development transition and belonging theories as well as evidence-informed practices that support first-year
student success persistence and engagement.

To Apply: Click on the Apply button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document.A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met
2. Current resume
3. The names and addresses email addresses and telephone numbers of three 3 current
professional references
4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however original official transcripts will be required prior to employment.

Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution 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. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant. All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

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Inquiries: Hualani Loo

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.

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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:

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled