Human Resources Specialist II, III, IV, V - Classification & Compensation Section

Salary: $4,590.00 - $7,351.00 Monthly
Location : OTM-Classification & Compensation Sec: 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96817
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time 12-month
Job Number: 2025-04658
District / Complex Area: Classified / OTM / Personnel Management Branch
School / Office: Classified / Classification & Compensation
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Max Number of Applicants: 25
Position %: 100%
Position Number: 38479


Description


The authorized level of the position is Human Resources Specialist V. Applications are being accepted down to the Human Resources Specialist II 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. Hawaii State Department of Education employees will be placed on the salary range in accordance with Department regulations.


Human Resources Specialist II, SR-18: $4,590.00 - 5,588.00 per month
Human Resources Specialist III, SR-20: $4,961.00 - $6,043.00 per month
Human Resources Specialist IV, SR-22: $5,369.00 - $6,535.00 per month
Human Resources Specialist V, SR-24: $6,043.00 - $7,351.00 per month
Examples of Duties


1. Serves as team leader for a survey of human resources practices, including negotiating with top staff and management officials. This includes selection of sample; assignment of task to specific team members; coordinating their work, discussion, and preparation of Report of Survey; following through to see that management and staff officials have clear understanding of problem areas; and providing guidance and assistance in implementing recommendations accepted by management; or
2. Serves as subject matter specialist doing in-depth research, analysis and evaluation of of human resources programs in the area of specialty, recommending procedural, policy, or legislative changes to effect needed changes or improvements. Develops meaningful statistics in support of findings, prepares comprehensive reports, and sees that necessary support in revision and classification of new or amended policies and/or procedures is provided.

Minimum Qualifications
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 progressively responsible administrative, professional or other analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) 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 Requirement : Except for the substitutions provided for in this specification, applicants must have had progressively responsible work experience of the kind, quality, and quantity described below:
Class TitleSpecialized Exper (years)Staff Spclt or Supvry Exper (years)Admin Exper (years)Total Exper (years) Human Resources Specialist II1/2001/2 Human Resources Specialist III1-1/2001-1/2 Human Resources Specialist IV2-1/2002-1/2 Human Resources Specialist V3-1/2*03-1/2
*For the Human Resources Specialist V level, supervisory aptitude rather than actual supervisory experience may be accepted. Supervisory aptitude is the demonstration of aptitude or potential for the performance of supervisory duties through successful completion of regular or special assignments that involve some supervisory responsibilities or aspects of supervision (e.g., serving as a group or team leader; similar work in which opportunities for demonstrating supervisory capabilities exist; completing training courses in supervision accompanied by application of the skills in work assignments; or favorable appraisals by a supervisor indicating the possession of supervisory potential).
Specialized Experience: Professional work experience in one or any combination of human resources management functions, (i.e. recruitment, placement, examination, position classification, pay or wage administration, employee management relations and services, employee development, human resources program development and services, labor relations and human resources research). Such experience must show ability to deal satisfactorily with fellow workers and/or operating personnel to recognize problems in the operation of a human resources program, to suggest practical solutions and otherwise to accept responsibility in the field of human resources administration. Clerical or technical experience in a human resources program involving work which is limited to the application of human resources rules, regulations and procedures in support of the human resources functions described above is not qualifying.
For levels III and IV, at least one (1) year of the experience must have been comparable to the next lower level in the state service. For level V, at least one (1) year of the experience must have been comparable to the fully independent worker or journeyman level in the state service.

Substitutions Allowed :
1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of fifteen semester credit hours of coursework in human resources
administration, management, and industrial relations or human resources management covering the recruitment and selection process; job evaluation; performance appraisal; employee training and safety; human resources compensation and benefits administration; staffing process; organizational development; labor laws and/or labor relations may be substituted for six (6) months of Specialized Experience.
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university in human resources administration, personnel and industrial relations, or human resources management may be substituted for one (1) year of Specialized Experience.


3. A Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university in one of the fields described above may be substituted for two (2) years of the Specialized Experience.
4. Excess Supervisory or Staff Specialist experience may be substituted for Specialized Experience on a year-for-year basis.
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 s/he is being considered.

Supplemental Information

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; or,
   
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.


Equal Opportunity

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, and National Guard participation, as well as on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Payday

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.
12-month civil service and SSP employees enjoy a range of competitive benefits:

• Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.
• Vacation: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year. Accumulated (unused) credits may be used toward computing retirement benefits.
• Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits.
• Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.
• Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.
• Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.
• Workers' Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers' compensation.
• Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee's job is excluded from collective bargaining.

The above is intended as a general summary of the benefits offered and is subject to change. This does not constitute a contract or binding agreement. Benefits vary by type of employment appointment and collective bargaining agreements.
01



EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university?
(Please attach or mail in a copy of your official diploma/transcripts to receive credit.)

• Yes
• No

02



SUBSTITUTION OF EXPERIENCE FOR EDUCATION: Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor's Degree may still meet the Education Requirement via excess Specialized Experience, or other progressively responsible administrative, professional, or other analytical work experience, which required a high degree of analytical skill.
If you do not possess a Bachelor's Degree, use the space provided to list experiences that you feel would fully meet this substitution. Be sure to include your official job title, employer's name, your dates of employment (from mm/yy to mm/yy), average hours you worked per week, and a detailed description of your duties. If you possess a Bachelor Degree, type "N/A" in the space provided.
03



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: I have _____ professional work experience in one or any combination of human resources management functions (i.e. recruitment, placement, examination, position classification, pay or wage administration, employee management relations and services, employee development, human resources program development and services, labor relations, and human resources research).

• no
• at least six (6) months of
• at least one and one-half (1½) years of
• at least two and one-half (2½) years of
• at least three and one-half (3½) years of

04



HUMAN RESOURCES LAW, RULES AND REGULATIONS: Describe your familiarity with the application of human resources laws, rules, and regulations.
05



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For each professional human resources work experience, describe the primary focus of your position, and your major duties and responsibilities.
If you do not possess professional work experience, type "NA" in the spaced provided.
06



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Describe your professional work experience, if any, in each of the following areas. Describe the specific tasks you performed and the responsibilities you held. Provide relevant examples.A. Recruitment and placementB. ExaminationC. Classification or wage administrationD. Employee management relations and servicesE. Employee developmentF. Human resources program development and servicesG. Labor relationsH. Human resources research
07



SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For each professional human resources work experience, describe how your personnel duties and authority differed from those of your supervisor.
If you do not possess professional experience, type "NA" in the space provided.
08



ALLOWABLE SUBSTITUTIONS FOR EXPERIENCE: Choose the statement that BEST describes your post-secondary education.
NOTE: Provide a copy of your official transcripts to receive credit. (Note: Transcripts obtained from the internet are not accepted.)

• I possess a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university with at least fifteen (15) semester credit hours of course work in human resources administration, management and industrial relations or human resources management.
• I possess a master degree from an accredited college or university with a major in human resources administration, personnel and industrial relations or human resources management.
• I possess a doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in human resources administration, personnel and industrial relations or human resources management.
• I do not possess any of the above.

09



TRANSCRIPTS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER VERIFYING DOCUMENTS:
Official or copies of official transcripts, certifications (front and back), and other documents that verify you meet the minimum qualification requirements must be submitted with your application. If these documents are NOT received, your application may be rejected.

• My documents are attached to this application.
• My documents were attached to a previously submitted application.
• I may or may not submit my documents at a later date. I understand that my application will be evaluated based on the information available at that time.

Required Question