Aloha Ambassadors – Kahalu‘u Bay and Beach Park in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii at The Kohala Center

The Kohala Center (TKC) administers the ReefTeach program at Kahalu‘u Bay and Beach Park in partnership with the County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation. The County looks to TKC to provide education for all visitors in the following subjects: the respectful behaviors expected of all who enter the water and visit the beach park, as well as information about its sensitive natural resources and cultural and natural history. TKC administers a Visitor Parking Fee Pilot Project, with all revenues supporting ongoing stewardship, outreach, and education. Outreach includes working with community members and visitors to educate and assist them with the pilot program and provide information about the important ecological and cultural properties of Kahaluʻu Bay and the surrounding area.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position. All candidates are expected to provide their own housing and transportation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Under the supervision of the program director, aloha ambassadors assist with:

• Daily operation of parking pilot program, which includes but is not limited to, answering questions about parking fees, assisting beachgoers with parking payment, assisting those without credit cards or smartphone to make parking payments;
• Daily set-up and/or break-down of ReefTeach Welcome Tent station as well as other educational signage around the park;
• Provide education to beachgoers in reef etiquette, informing users about appropriate behaviors around coral reefs, or direct visitors to other ReefTeachers on duty
• Daily monitoring of parking area by a walk-around to make sure no unauthorized activities (e.g., unpermitted vendors) are occurring in the parking lot. Staff not to engage but document and report these activities to the Director immediately.
• Assist Hawaiʻi residents by verifying, tracking, providing parking sticker to, and entering license plate numbers into the system for no-fee parking.
• Observe and record any unusual activity and interactions on tracking form and report to Director.
• Keep track of inventory and alert Director when items need to be reordered.
• Assure all equipment is in working condition daily and report damaged equipment or additional supplies needed to Director.
• Maintain a pleasant and professional attitude to all visitors and staff at all times and serve as an Aloha Ambassador.
• Use appropriate and polite language and behavior in conversations, instructions, and interactions with staff and visitors.
• Monitor activities in the park throughout the day. Report any incidents and/or concerning behavior to Director immediately.
• Additional duties may be added.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communications skills in English. Proficiency in other languages common in Hawai‘i (e.g., Tagalog, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Chuukese) a plus.
• Organizational skills.
• Good listening skills.
• Respectful and humble attitude.
• PC Computer skills.
• Retail sales experience.
• Knowledge of the local shore environment.
• Ability to lift items up to 50 lbs for set-up and break-down purposes.
• Ability to work independently without supervision.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, OR EDUCATION:

• Possess valid and current State of Hawaii driver license and clean driving abstract.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must be able to work weekday and/or weekend schedule.
• Work is conducted in outdoor, shoreline environment.

EQUIPMENT USAGE:

• Computer and standard office equipment.