CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Position Title: Hoʻokipa Ambassador

Reports To: Cultural Programs Coordinator

Employment Type: Full-Time

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The Hoʻokipa Ambassador is responsible for providing a high level of hospitality to visitors, and preparing visitors to experience the valley. The Hoʻokipa Ambassador 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 Hoʻokipa Ambassadors 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

Shuttle Tour kakoʻo duties:

• a. Promote shuttle tour program and sales at the VC, Ticket Booth and Hale

• Hoʻike, ensures vacant seats are filled.

• b. Ensure all physical and staff components of shuttle tours are ready for tour

• operations, daily – ensure functional vehicles, delivery of supplies, and tour

• guides are arriving on schedule to conduct tours, assist with in-tour

• troubleshooting.

• c. Ensure high-quality guest experience - assist tour participants through

• check-in process, communicate any additional FareHarbor or POS

• processing needs to Ticket Booth staff, identify and attend to guest needs,

• provide support for tour drivers.

• d. Conduct tours and tour driving as necessary/requested.

• e. Faciliate tour participant surveys.

• f. Track tour sales and survey results, provide regular reports to supervisors.

2. 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.

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 to coworkers

• Talking to the public (including customers)

• Talking on the phone

• Responding to coworker requests

• Responding to public inquiries

• Training or giving verbal instructions

• Receiving verbal instructions

• Receiving written instructions

• Reading

• Visiting or working at other sites

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.

*Hi`ipaka LLC offers a competitive salary and has excellent benefits- medical; dental, vision etc.; company match 401K program and life insurance. A pre-employment drug screening and background check will be required. We are an equal opportunity employer.

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.

Position Title: Gardener

Reports To: Lead Gardener & Horticultural Specialist

Employment Type: Full-Time

GENERAL PURPOSE

Responsible for performing tasks to preserve, enhance, cultivate and care for plants in the botanical collections of the Waimea Valley.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Plants and transplants plants as directed and in accordance with plans.

2. Weeds, waters, prunes, and fertilizes plants and maintains assigned garden areas.

3. Selects, mixes and applies pesticides and insecticides to maintain health of plants.

4. Maintains gardening hand tools and equipment so they are clean and in working condition.

5. Complies with all safety and health procedures when operating equipment and vehicles, and while performing gardening duties.

6. Positive and meaningful visitor experience and service are core values in the management and stewardship of Waimea Valley. It is highly encouraged that staff possess cultural knowledge and practice to facilitate this mission with hospitality, sincerity and aloha.

7. Regular attendance on a daily basis (for full-time employees) or scheduled basis (for part-time employees) is required for this position.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Answers any questions posed by visitors.

2. May perform minor repairs on gardening hand tools and structures.

3. Performs other duties as assigned by the Lead Gardener, Horticultural Specialist and Botanical Group Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

1. Must have knowledge of gardening practices.

2. Must be people-oriented and able to work well with others.

3. Must have good oral communication skills.

4. Must have the ability to read and understand chemical labels and SDS sheets.

5. Must project a professional demeanor.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE

1. High school diploma or GED preferred.

2. Experience in gardening preferred.

MATERIAL OR EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED

1. Gardener should be familiar with all gardening tools and equipment used to cultivate and care for the botanical collections at Waimea Valley.

2. Gardener will be using personal protective equipment while applying pesticides and herbicides.

3. Gardener will be using safety equipment, which includes: gloves, ear plugs, work boots & other PPE as needed.

4. Gardener will be operating a golf cart and/or truck (valid driver’s license required).

5. Other equipment as required.

MENTAL DEMANDS

1. Requires the ability to read English, perform basic mathematical calculations and measure accurately.

2. Requires concentration, alertness and attention to detail.

3. Must be able to exercise some discretion and independent judgment.

4. Must be able to respond to both controlled and uncontrolled situations in a professional manner.

5. Must be able to perform under stressful conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling, standing, walking, handling or fingering, eye-hand-foot coordination, use of vision.

COMMUNICATION DEMANDS

Responding to written or verbal requests from coworkers, receiving verbal instructions

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed outdoors. Employee will be in contact with chemicals and materials, such as pesticides, insecticides and fertilizer used on trees, plants,and surrounding ground areas. Employee will be exposed to low to high levels of noise. Employee will be exposed to sunlight, heat, humidity, pollen, and inclement weather.

*Hi`ipaka LLC offers a competitive salary and has excellent benefits- medical; dental, vision etc.; company match 401K program and life insurance. A pre-employment drug screening and background check will be required. We are an equal opportunity employer.

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.