External Affairs Officer

Location: 55 Merchant St, Honolulu, HI

Reports to: Vice President of External Affairs

Classification: Exempt

Kupu’s Story

Kupu, which means “to sprout” or “to grow” in Hawaiian, has a two-fold mission: to preserve the land while empowering youth. The organization provides hands-on training in conservation, sustainability, and environmental education for young adults, with the goal of fostering our next generation of environmental and cultural stewards. Kupu’s work has been likened to the role of the kupukupu fern, which is one of the first plants to recultivate the land after a lava flow. The fern not only serves as a foundational species for rebuilding a healthy, native ecosystem, but it also symbolizes a place where knowledge can grow.

Established in 2007 as a 501(c)3 non-profit, Kupu empowers future generations to create a more sustainable, pono Hawai‘i.  Kupu accomplishes this by partnering with conservation and sustainability focused agencies throughout the state and pacific in providing hands-on service opportunities which educate and mentor young adults and emerging professionals to become stewards of our communities and environment.  Since 2007, Kupu has risen to meet the increasing demands of the green job sector by engaging over 3,000 youth in the areas of conservation, sustainability, and environmental education. Kupu affirms the Hawaiian notion of “ma ka hana ka ʻike” or “in working one learns.”  This approach has led to the creation of hundreds of service-learning opportunities which assists in the development of Hawai’i’s emerging professionals in the green job sector while supporting over 150 conservation and sustainability organizations across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

Kupu’s Mission

“To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage integrity (pono) with Ke Akua, self, and others”

Kupu’s CHOSEN Values

C         Character

H         Humility

O        ‘Ohana

S          Service

E          Excellence

N         Nobility

Position Overview

Under the direction of Kupu’s Vice President of External Affairs (VP EA), the External Affairs Officer supports a wide range of efforts to advance Kupu’s mission through communications, government relations, public policy, and strategic partnerships. This role contributes to a comprehensive external affairs strategy by assisting with public relations, monitoring legislation, preparing outreach materials, and supporting engagement with government agencies, partner organizations, and community stakeholders.

As a key member of the External Affairs (EA) team, the Officer collaborates with colleagues to execute day-to-day tasks, coordinate events, and ensure smooth communication with Kupu’s external partners. The ideal candidate is a proactive communicator, highly organized, and passionate about community service and environmental stewardship.

• Conduct oneself with aloha and drive Kupu’s culture.
• Conduct oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission.
• Serves as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values.

Government Relations & Public Policy

• Attend hearings, briefings, and meetings to support Kupu’s presence and gather information.
• Assist with tracking legislation and preparing summaries or updates for internal use.
• Draft or support the development of testimony, letters, and other advocacy materials.
• Help maintain relationships with elected officials and public agency contacts.

Public Relations & Communications

• Support the creation and distribution of communications materials (social media, newsletters, flyers, press releases).
• Assist with gathering stories, photos, and quotes from program participants and partners.
• Maintain digital content libraries and assist with website updates as needed.

Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement

• Help identify and organize information on potential strategic partners and funding opportunities.
• Support outreach to educational institutions, nonprofit allies, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in events, partner meetings, and community engagement activities.

Project Support & Coordination

• Assist with planning and logistics for external affairs events such as town halls, site visits, and conferences.
• Coordinate scheduling, materials preparation, and follow-up tasks with internal and external partners.
• Track outreach efforts and maintain records in shared systems (e.g., spreadsheets, CRM).

Other Responsibilities

• Provide general administrative support to the VP EA and EA team as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support external affairs and organizational goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Hawaiian Studies or a related field
• 1–2 years of relevant experience in public affairs, communications, government relations, or community engagement (internships and part-time roles may be considered)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and organization
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to learn other platforms (e.g., Canva, Salesforce, Mailchimp)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with legislative or government processes, especially in Hawaiʻi
• Experience with social media platforms and digital content creation
• Interest in environmental conservation, youth development, or public service
• Previous experience in a nonprofit, educational, or public agency setting
• Participation in a Kupu program or similar service-based opportunity
• Professional experience or qualifications in community engagement in Hawaiʻi or another area in which Kupu serves

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay range: $50k-$60k commensurate with experience
• Employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• PTO
• Eligible for 401(k) plan after one year of service and 1,000 hours of service
• Lifestyle benefits (gym reimbursement, ticket discounts, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work in an office environment, including prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel to various locations for meetings, events, and engagements, including walking, standing, and occasionally lifting materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to attend outdoor events, which may include walking on uneven terrain and exposure to various weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via email.

*In accordance with Federal Law, Kupu is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability