Job Details

Labor Law Enforcement Specialist V

Recruitment Number DLIR-2026-053 - Position is full-time and located in Downtown, Honolulu, Oahu. This job posting will remain open until 15 applications are received. Please apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time.

Salary:Labor Law Enforcement Specialist V - $6,221 to $7,568 monthly (SR-24, Step D to I). Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications, and other relevant factors.

Duties Summary

Labor Law Enforcement Specialist V: Work at this level generally reflectsthe following types:

• Supervises a staff of lower level enforcement specialists engaged in conducting predominantly highly complex labor law compliance investigations. Duties and responsibilities include planning and coordinating program investigation and compliance activities; assigning and scheduling work; exercising control over the quantity and quality of work performed; providing guidance and assistance to subordinates; evaluating performance of work; planning and directing the training of specialists; and performing related duties. Work is performed under general direction of a higher level specialist.
• Program specialist work in the program's staff office which involves responsibility for program development and evaluation for a major segment of the labor law administration and enforcement program. This includes developing program plans, policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; recommending policy changes and evaluating program effectiveness, assisting with program budget development, coordination and preparation; developing and drafting new and amended legislative and administrative rule changes; developing staff training programs; providing technical assistance and advice to program personnel; and developing and maintaining various program information management systems. Work is performed independently under general supervision and guidance of a higher level program specialist.
• Serves as a working supervisor responsible for overseeing hearing activities and conducting administrative hearings on complex to highly complex complaint cases and appeals on notifications of violation issued to employers. The work involves planning, directing and coordinating hearings and pre-hearing conferences; recommending revisions to operating methods and guidelines; preparing budget recommendations; supervising and training lower level enforcement specialists conducting hearings; and conducting administrative hearings.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements:

Legal Authorization to Work: The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States. Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application, unless otherwise specified. Your possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must be of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position. Note: Your calculation of experience must be based on full-time, 40-hour work weeks. Part-time experience must be pro-rated. Example: Twelve (12) months of experience at 20 hours/week is equivalent to six (6) months of experience, not one (1) year. Also, hours worked in excess of 40 hours/week will not be credited. Example: Twelve (12) months of experience at 60 hours/week is equivalent to one (1) year of experience, not one and a half (1 ½) years.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge of report writing and an understanding of mathematical principles and practices and their application. Basic investigation methods and techniques; and interviewing methods and techniques. Good knowledge of departmental policies and procedures. Extensive knowledge of pertinent labor laws, rules, regulations, and investigative methods and techniques; and familiarity with current and proposed legislation that may affect the enforcement program. Some positions require knowledge of principles of conducting administrative hearings; and legal terminology, rules of evidence, and rules of court necessary for the conduct of administrative hearings.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide quickly and correctly; analyze and evaluate facts; use mathematical reasoning to solve problems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with others. Understand and interpret pertinent labor laws, rules, and regulations; and understand and apply methods and techniques of interviewing and investigation. Apply laws, rules, policies, regulations and investigational techniques learned to actual work situations; analyze payroll and other business records; make sound recommendations on action to be taken; prepare investigation reports; and deal effectively with employers and their employees, other program personnel, and the public. Prepare comprehensive investigation reports. Some positions require the ability to assign, review and evaluate the work of others. Make sound decisions on difficult and sensitive issues. Some positions require the ability to conduct administrative hearings; and to render sound, impartial and objective decisions. Some positions require the ability to assign, review and evaluate the work of others.

Basic Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Experience Requirement: Three and one-half (3 ½) years of progressively responsible professional work experience which involved the application of labor laws and rules as a primary function, in performing investigations, and/or enforcing and promoting compliance with state laws and rules pertaining to wage and hour; wages and hours of employees on public works; payment of wages and other compensation; family leave; and child labor.

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 he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he/she is being considered.

Other Information

The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations in completing an application, any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please call 808-586-9084 for assistance.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit

Electronic Notification to Applicants: The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email-box in a timely manner. In addition, please be aware that you may no longer receive notification about applications submitted if you choose to disable the Job Application Emails feature in your Account Settings.

Testing Information: The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held. In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. In addition to employment availability and score, the referral of qualified applicants may be based upon other factors including date of receipt of application.

Your Job Benefits with the State of Hawai'i

The State of Hawai'i offers its employees who are members of the civil service a range of benefits. Some benefits are offered as a result of collective bargaining agreements and changes may occur. A summary of these benefits, which is based on full-time employment, is listed below:

• Paid Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.
• Paid Vacation: You may earn vacation leave at a rate that other employers find tough to match – 21 days each full year from the FIRST year of employment. This compares to an average of 10 days offered by private companies. You may accumulate up to a total of 90 days (720 hours) of vacation.
• Paid Sick Leave: You may earn sick leave at the same rate as vacation – 21 days per year from the FIRST year, and there is no limit on the amount you can accumulate. Expectant mothers may also use sick leave for pre-natal or post-natal check-ups or any illness related to pregnancy. Plus, unused accumulated sick leave may eventually be used to increase your retirement benefits