Career Opportunities
Employment Opportunities
At Waimea Valley, Hi'ipaka LLC staff is 'ohana.
As stewards and staff of this sacred Valley, we strive in our daily responsibilities to Waimea and its host culture to celebrate and share a vibrant and living Hawaiian culture with the world. Careers with Hiʻipaka LLC offer opportunities to learn, grow, and work within a large organization on Oʻahu’s North Shore to develop your skills for a prosperous future.
Hiʻipaka LLC offers excellent benefits - medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401K, etc. A pre-employment drug screening and background check will be required. We are an equal-opportunity employer. Waimea Valley is a seven-day-a-week operation and night and weekend work may be required.
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Position Title: Alaka’i A’o
Reports To: Cultural Programs Coordinator
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Alaka’i A’o is responsible for providing a high level of hospitality to visitors, and preparing visitors to experience the valley. The Alaka’i A’o team are integral to the success of the valley, ensuring visitors have smooth entry, understand where they are and how to make the most of their visit. To accomplish this, the Alaka’i A’o inform about the resources available to the visitor, such as logistical assistance (shuttles, water stations, places to rest), access to traditional knowledge from cultural specialists and contemporary practitioners, the Hawaiian values-based Kaʻapuni o Waimea tour, access to archaeological sites, the world renowned botanical collection, the Botanical tour and the waterfall.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direction of the Cultural Programs Coordinator:
1. Greets and welcomes visitors and guests as they enter.
2. Fields questions about admissions, services available and special rates.
3. Greets student groups and tour groups as they enter. Shares map of Waimea Valley and several key points of interest.
4. Talks about activities and special events in the Valley each day.
5. Informs about the practitioners and cultural stations available each day.
6. Encourages visitors to consider the cultural and botanical walks and tours.
7. Promotes the Hawaiian values-based Kaʻapuni o Waimea program.
8. Educates about the historic sites, artifacts, and botanical resources in the Valley.
9. Encourages purchase of Souvenir Book when appropriate.
10. Extends assistance to visitors, informs the visitors about the valley terrain, the difficulty of the walk and shares information about shuttles.
11. Demonstrates assistance to the diverse audience.
12. For kamaʻaina, encourage meaningful, ongoing engagement with the valley by promoting kamaʻaina admission discounts, community events, annual passes, morning walker program, volunteer opportunities, and adopt-a-garden.
13. Able to respond to inquiries and/or discuss Hawaiian history, cultural practices, myths, and legends.
14. Is a teammate in the cultural department and can assist in facilitating cultural learning programs and special events.
15. Assists Marketing & Events Department by monitoring the condition of signage and making suggestions for signage, exhibits, and self-guided interpretive material for all ages.
16. Follows all standards of behavior and performance, and applicable program curricula. Works collaboratively with coworkers, outside contractors and volunteers in educating the public about Hawaiian history and culture.
17. Performs all duties safely and in accordance with established procedures.
18. Provide positive and meaningful visitor experience and service.
19. Regular attendance on a scheduled basis is required for this position.
OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Performs other duties as assigned by the Programs Group Manager and/or the Cultural Programs Coordinator.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
1. Must demonstrate excellent customer service mindset and good interpersonal judgement.
2. Must have a solution oriented approach to visitors.
3. Must have detailed knowledge of Hawaiian history and culture, including Waimea Valley’s heritage. Must be familiar with major Hawaiian culture issues.
4. Must be familiar with Hawaiian history and culture, including Waimea Valley’s heritage. Must be familiar with major Hawaiian culture issues.
5. Must be people-oriented and able to work well with others.
6. Must be organized and self-starter.
7. Must have excellent oral communication skills.
8. Must project a professional demeanor.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE
1. As a minimum, a high school diploma is required. A degree (associate or four year) in Hawaiian studies, Hospitality or a related field highly desirable.
2. At least two years of relevant community or Hawaiian agency experience.
3. Experience in conducting educational programs preferred.
4. Familiarity with major Hawaiian culture issues is desirable.
5. Must have experience in communicating Hawaiian history and culture to others.
MATERIAL OR EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED
Telephone, radio or other equipment as required.
MENTAL DEMANDS
1. Must be able to respond to a wide variety of inquiries.
2. Must be able to interact and speak with large and small groups.
3. Requires the ability to read English.
4. Requires concentration, alertness and attention to detail.
5. Must be able to respond to both controlled and uncontrolled situations in a professional manner.
6. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions, while maintaining a pleasant demeanor.
COMMUNICATION DEMANDS
Talking (in person) to
coworkers
Talking (in person) to
the public (including
customers)
Responding to written
or verbal requests from
the public (including
customers)
Receiving verbal
instructions
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Employee will be in contact with chemicals and materials normally found in office environments. Employee will also be in contact with pesticides, insecticides, fertilizer and similar materials used in the propagation, planting and maintenance of botanical collections. Employee will be exposed to low to high levels of noise. Employee will be exposed to sunlight, heat, humidity, dust, pollen, and inclement weather.
NOTES
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee filling this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by management.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The Executive Director shall have authority to amend this job description to meet company needs.