Program Specialist

Program Specialist

Position Number: 0097080T

Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), Dean's Office

Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

Band: B

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: This position is subject to availability of funding and renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or availability of funding. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by July 17, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Please see application instructions.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Represents the University and CTAHR in both internal and external legislative activity efforts.
2. Manages CTAHR's, the County's, and the State's legislative activities efforts, including analysis and review of pending legislation, priorities, and issues and the potential impact on CTAHR.
3. Acts on the Dean's behalf and serves as the lead on legislative reports, working groups, etc.
4. Represents the CTAHR Dean at legislative meetings with faculty, government leaders and stakeholders.
5. Leads the urgent and immediate development of legislative testimony for CTAHR
6. Briefs and prepares CTAHR Administration for legislative hearings.
7. Administers and facilitates advocacy efforts statewide related to CTAHR, consistent to its administration policy to pass key initiatives.
8. Responsible for government affairs strategies that advances the CTAHR's mission and goals with local, regional, state and federal elected officials.
9. Establishes and maintains contact and interaction with legislators, legislative committees, elected officials, and various intergovernmental relations.
10. Manages CTAHR's relationships with community stakeholders and interested constituents (Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Cattlemen Council, Hawaii Coffee Association, etc.), as appropriate, in line with CTAHR's mission and goals.
11. Keeps abreast of legislative bills for the House and Senate.
12. Attends relevant hearings and floor sessions.
13. Keeps up to date on current and upcoming hearings and hearing notices.
14. Other duties as assigned.

*Denotes Essential Functions

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree in business, agriculture or related field and 5 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for special projects related to agricultural research and cooperative extension and/or State of Hawai`i legislative process; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
2. Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of special projects related to agricultural research and cooperative extension and/or State of Hawai`i legislative processes as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
3. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, and/or State of Hawai`i Legislature.
4. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
5. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software.
8. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
9. Demonstrated experience in community networking, engagement and outreach, and agriculture stakeholder groups and individuals.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Broad knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals, and programs of the University of Hawai`i, the U.S. Land Grant tradition, ethics of higher education, the economy of the State and the contributions that CTAHR can make through the developments of its tropical agriculture and human resources programs both within the State and internationally.

To Apply

1. Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
2. Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV);
3. Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
4. Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire).

• Any confidential data should be redacted (e.g. social security number, date of birth, etc).
• Diplomas will not be accepted.

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Inquiries: Carol Oshiro, View email address on click.appcast.io