Auditor Specialist III - Performance Audit Section, 606721 (2026-03483)

Hawaii State Department of Education; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawaii Department of Education seeks an Auditor Specialist III to lead audit teams and oversee complex performance audits across the department. You will plan, supervise, and report findings to executive leadership, ensuring compliance with professional auditing standards.

The role requires seven years of government accounting/audit experience, with at least three in education, and two years of supervisory responsibility. A bachelor’s degree with accounting credits is required.

Qualifications

• Seven years of professional work experience in government accounting, auditing, or budgeting, with three years in education programs, agencies, or systems evaluating programs and controls.
• Two years in supervising professional personnel.
• Bachelor's degree with at least twelve semester hours in accounting or auditing courses.
• Knowledge of GAAP auditing principles; ability to supervise and plan department-wide audits.
• Safety and integrity in reporting aligned with governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Staff Leadership and Technical Supervision: Direct and review subordinates' work; evaluate performance.
• Strategic Program Planning and Execution: Plan operations, allocate staff, and ensure timely audits.
• Executive Representation and Advisory Consultation: Present findings to leadership and the Board; provide guidance on regulations.
• Quality Control and Standards Compliance: Conduct final reviews to ensure audit reports meet standards.
• Policy Advisory and System Improvement: Recommend updates to policies and procedures based on findings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Staff Leadership

Strategic Planning

Executive Representation

Quality Control

Policy Advisory

Supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree with 12+ accounting credits

Auditing coursework (desirable)

Job description

APPLICANTS MAY BE EDUCATIONAL OFFICERS, TEACHERS AND OTHER QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS

SPECIAL INTERNAL / EXTERNAL

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT ISSUED:

This position is excluded from the Educational Officers' Bargaining Unit and will be filled as a clear line appointment.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION/ASSIGNMENT MAY BE ADMINISTERED TO HELP DETERMINE POSSESSION OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES PORTIONS OF THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

Under the general supervision of the Internal Audit Director of the Internal Audit Office, the Auditor Specialist III:

• Staff Leadership and Technical Supervision: Direct, supervise, coordinate, and review the technical work of Auditor Specialist II subordinates. Evaluates staff performance, identifies work problems, and monitors general work progress.
• Strategic Program Planning and Execution: Plan and organize section operations, prioritize projects, and allocate staff resources to execute annual audit work plans and risk assessments. Determine effective work methods, assign project workloads, and ensure audit deliverables are completed on schedule. Make high-level policy decisions on matters of performance audit planning, risk assessment, and financial reporting.
• Executive Representation and Advisory Consultation: Assist or represent the Internal Audit Office and Director in presenting audit findings, reports, and testimony to executive leadership, the Superintendent, the Board of Education, and the Legislature. Provide technical guidance and consultative services to State and complex area specialists regarding audit regulations and compliance.
• Quality Control and Standards Compliance: Conduct final quality assurance and technical reviews on work papers, evidence, and written audit reports to verify accuracy and logical rigor. Ensure section activities and final work products comply fully with established professional auditing standards Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards or Global Internal Audit Standards).
• Policy Advisory and System Improvement: Analyze audit findings and industry trends to advise the Internal Audit Director on necessary updates to departmental policies and state laws. Recommends ongoing internal process, procedural, and operational enhancements to improve the overall effectiveness of the audit program based on emerging trends and audit outcomes. Develop high-level user policies and process flow guides relative to audit standards and computerized monitoring.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting or any other field which included at least twelve (12) semester hours of credit in accounting or auditing courses.

Desired Education

Coursework covering auditing, law, data analytics, programming and writing short data scripts.

Experience

Seven (7) years of responsible professional work experience in government accounting, auditing, or budgeting of which three (3) years shall have been in an education program, agency or system evaluating programs, financial controls, compliance systems or operational effectiveness and two (2) years shall have involved the supervision of professional personnel.

Desired Experience

Four (4) years of additional supervisory experience managing professional audit projects.

Combined Education and Experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be acceptable, as determined by the Department. Substitutions may be considered for the requirement of experience in an education program, agency or system

Knowledge

Financial, management, and government accounting and auditing; generally accepted professional accounting and auditing principles, theory and practices; computer-based information systems; laws, rules, regulations and administrative procedures pertinent to the areas of assignment; and principles and practices of supervision.

Desired Knowledge

Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS)

Ability to

Plan, organize, and oversee a Department-wide performance audit program; provide leadership and planning in professional audit functions and consultation to state, complex area, and school officials; propose rationale and implementation plans to improve procedures and methods; determine program needs for appropriate implementation and ensure proper utilization of department resources; communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing; operate computer and other business machines; provide leadership, planning, and coordination In the areas of assignment.

Desired Abilities

Critical thinking requiring an understanding of performance audit standards; conduct research and present information in both verbal and written format; and have a teamwork, collaborative influence to "get the job done."

SALARY RANGE

EOSR-8, $119,706 to $169,453.

Department of Education certificated employees will be placed on the salary range in accordance with Department regulations.

All others will be placed on the first step of $119,706.

NOTE

Department of Education employees will be placed on the salary range in accordance with Department regulations. 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.

WORK YEAR AND BENEFITS

This appointment will be on a 12-month basis with vacation and sick leave provided according to applicable regulations.

POSTING CYCLE

Vacant or unfilled positions may be internally and/or externally advertised on the 1st and/or 16th of any calendar month.

EDUCATIONAL OFFICER CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT

Priority for appointments shall be given to qualified and tenured educational officers in that class who wish to move to that position through lateral transfer or a voluntary demotion and second to all other qualified educational officers with tenure.

APPROVED:

Robert Davis

Interim Assistant Superintendent

Office of Talent Management