Human Resources Coordinator

Location: 55 Merchant St, Honolulu, HI

Reports to: HR Director

Classification: Non-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

The HR Coordinator will play a vital role in supporting the human resources functions of our Hawaii-based non-profit organization. This position is crucial for ensuring smooth HR operations, maintaining accurate employee records, and serving as a key liaison with our Professional Employer Organization (PEO). The HR Coordinator will assist with recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, employee relations, compliance, and contributing to a positive and productive work environment that aligns with Kupu’s mission and values.

This position is ideal for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, and eager to contribute to the work Kupu does across Hawaii and parts of the Pacific Region. Under the guidance of the HR Director, the HR Coordinator’s role will add to a positive and efficient HR experience for staff and stakeholders.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Conduct oneself with aloha and drive Kupu’s culture
• Conduct oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission
• Serve as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values
• Employee Relations & Support

• Serve as point of contact for employee inquiries regarding policies, procedures, basic employee relations matters, informing and/or escalating complex issues to the HR Director as appropriate
• Promote a positive organizational culture and assist in fostering strong employee morale
• Recruitment & Onboarding Support
• Assist with the full recruitment life cycle, including drafting and posting job descriptions, coordinating interviews, and communicating with candidates
• Process pre-employment checks, background screenings, and reference checks through the PEO or directly as needed
• Coordinate and facilitate new employee onboarding, including preparing new hire paperwork (both internal and PEO-required), scheduling orientations, and ensuring a welcoming start for new team members
• HR Administration & Record Keeping
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, both physical and digital, in compliance with organizational policies and legal requirements
• Manage HR filing systems, ensuring accessibility and compliance
• Generate HR reports as needed (such as headcount, turnover, training completion)
• PEO Liaison & Administration
• Serve as a key point of contact for routine inquiries and data exchange with the PEO regarding payroll, benefits, and HR compliance matters, such as OSHA 300s, EEO-1 reports, etc.
• Assist employees with PEO portal navigation, benefits enrollment inquiries, and understanding PEO-managed policies
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of employee data, changes, and documentation to the PEO
• Employee Relations & Support
• Serve as an initial point of contact for employee inquiries regarding HR policies, procedures, and basic employee relations matters, escalating complex issues to the HR Director
• Promote a positive organizational culture and in fostering strong employee morale
• Compliance & Policy Adherence
• Assist in ensuring HR practices comply with federal, state, and other applicable labor laws, as well as internal policies, procedures, established practices, and PEO guidelines
• Support the implementation and communication of HR policies and procedures
• Benefits Administration Support
• Assist employees with questions regarding health insurance, retirement plans, PTO, and other benefits managed by the PEO
• Support annual open enrollment and benefits changes
• Coordinate leave of absence requests with PEO and Kupu
• Training & Development
• Coordinate logistics for employee training sessions and professional development initiatives
• Track employee training completion and maintain records

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent  experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated commitment to Kupu’s mission and the work we do

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• SHRM-CP or other HR certification
• Desire to work long-term in the HR profession

Physical Requirements:                             

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

• Ability to remain seated for extended periods while working at a desk or computer
• Ability to move throughout the office as needed for meetings, team collaborations, or events
• Manual dexterity required for typing on a computer and using office equipment 
• Occasional lifting and carrying items of to 10 pounds (e.g., office supplies, documents, files).
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via email with employees, leadership, and external stakeholders
• Ability to focus and multitask in a busy environment with frequent interruptions and time-sensitive tasks
• Visual acuity sufficient to review and edit documents, as well as use a computer for long periods

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