Job Details

The authorized level of the position is Program Specialist IV. Applications are being accepted down to the Program Specialist III in the event of recruiting difficulties.

Salary Range:

All new external applicants will be placed on the initial step of the salary range. However, placement above the initial step of the salary range will be based on special characteristics and critical needs of the position, an applicant's exceptional qualifications, the availability of funds, and other relevant factors. Such appointments require prior approval.

Program Specialist III, SR-20: $4,858.00 - $5,918.00 per month

Program Specialist IV, SR-22: $5,258.00 - $6,399.00 per month

1. Conducts studies and analyses of programs, their operations and activities.
2. Conducts research into changes in State and federal laws, rules and regulations, community concerns, etc.
3. Develops and interprets new or revises existing program policies and procedures, rules and regulations, program standards, etc.
4. Serves as liaison and provides consultation to various committees, other agencies and community groups and organizations concerned with the agency's program.
5. Assists in locating funds and other resources available from State, federal, County and private agencies which can be used to support program activities and functions.
6. Develops and monitors contracts and grants.
7. Monitors and evaluates program operations and activities to ensure program objectives meet State and federal requirements.
8. Develops and implements corrective action plans to address program deficiencies.
9. Develops training programs to implement new or revised program policies, procedures, activities, functions, etc.
10. Assists in the preparation of the agency's State plan.
11. Develops legislative proposals and testimonies.
12. May speak before groups to promote or provide information or coordinate program activities and objectives.
13. Assists in the development and justification of budget requests.
14. Provides technical assistance, consultation and interpretation of the program rules and procedures to agency staff, other public, private and community agencies.
15. Develops and coordinates implementation plans for specific program areas.
16. Advises and explains program requirements to data processing personnel.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of: Applicants must have one or a combination of the following knowledge:

1. Program planning and evaluation; research and evaluation methods and techniques; report writing; effective work organization and staff utilization; and public relations.
2. Related State and federal agencies, community organizations and agencies, resources and services that interact with and have an impact on the agency's programs and activities.

Ability to: Plan, organize, coordinate and implement activities for the development of new or revised programs, policies and procedures; research, analyze, evaluate and interpret data, reports and other complex materials, and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions; utilize problem-solving techniques in addressing problems, issues and concerns, and recommend alternative solutions; interpret and explain pertinent federal and State policies and procedures, rules and regulations, etc., to a variety of audiences; communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; prepare clear and concise reports; develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; and speak effectively before groups.

Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree.

Excess work experience as described under the Specialized Experience below or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities.

The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Experience Requirements: Except for the substitutions provided for in this specification, applicants must have had progressively responsible experience of the kind and quality described in the statements below and in the amounts shown in the following table or any equivalent combination of training and experience:

Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible professional experience in one or a combination of the following:

Type 1 - Progressively responsible professional experience which demonstrated the ability to conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects through active participation in the planning, coordination, development and/or evaluation of programs and/or program activities. The experience must have involved performing professional work concerned with program interrelationships, effectiveness or intra-program integration. It must further have demonstrated a high degree of analytical skill involving the ability to identify information needs, collect and analyze data, and identify problems and alternative solutions and their advantages and disadvantages and develop logical recommendations for a course of action and the ability to read, comprehend and interpret complex material such as State statutes and/or federal regulations and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions.

Type 2 - Progressively responsible professional work experience in a pertinent field/program area which provided knowledge of principles and practices, current issues and concerns of the identified field/program area and State and federal agencies, community organizations and agencies, resources and services that interact with and have an impact on the agency's programs and activities.

Substitutions Allowed: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration or a field pertinent to the agency's programs and activities may be substituted for one year of the Specialized Experience as described under Type 1.

Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that applicant has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which applicant is being considered.

Salary: The advertised salary is based on full-time employment and includes shortage and school year differentials, if applicable.

Requirements: Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application, unless otherwise specified. Unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour workweeks. Part-time experience is pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours/week is equivalent to six months of experience, not one year. Also, hours worked in excess of 40 hours/week will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours/week is equivalent to one year of experience, not one and a half years.

Temporary Assignment: Claims of Temporary Assignment (TA) experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements must be verified and attached to the application using one of the options below:

1. A copy of the applicant's TA History Report or equivalent system-generated report;
2. A signed letter from the applicant's supervisor that includes the applicant's name, his/her TA job title, the TA start and end dates (from mm/yy to mm/yy), his/her specific TA duties performed, and either the TA hours worked per week or total TA hours worked;
3. Copies of the applicant's signed SF-10 Forms.

Documents: Attach all relevant supporting documents to your application. Documents that were attached to applications submitted before November 16, 2023 do not automatically attach or transfer to applications submitted on and after December 16, 2023. All submitted documents become the property of the Hawaii State Department of Education.

Information about Temporary Positions: Temporary positions may be extended year to year, dependent upon funding and departmental needs. Making yourself available for temporary positions increases your employment possibilities and may lead to permanent opportunities. A person hired for a temporary position may also become a temporary employee upon satisfactory completion of the initial probation period of at least six months. Once a temporary employee, you would be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits as afforded to an employee in a permanent position, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force.