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

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Vacation 21 days

Job summary

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education seeks a seasoned auditor to lead the internal audit program and supervise professional staff. You will plan, direct, and review performance audits, ensuring compliance with GAAS/GAGAS, and advise senior leaders on audit findings and department policies.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with school officials and state leadership to enhance program effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Seven years of professional work in government accounting, auditing, or budgeting.
• Three years in an education program, agency, or system evaluating programs, financial controls, compliance, or operations.
• Two years supervising professional personnel.

Responsibilities

• Direct, supervise, and review the technical work of Auditor Specialist II subordinates.
• Plan and organize section operations; allocate staff resources to audit work plans and risk assessments.
• Present audit findings and reports to executive leadership and the Legislature; provide guidance on audit regulations and compliance.

Skills

Staff supervision

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business admin with accounting/auditing credits

Coursework in auditing, law, data analytics, programming

Job description

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.

A written examination/assignment may be administered to help determine possession of the knowledge and abilities portions of the minimum qualification requirements.

Examples of Duties

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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."

Supplemental Information

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

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 certificated employees enjoy a range of competitive benefits

• Holidays: Employees observe paid holidays during the school year provided that all conditions under the respective collective bargaining agreement are met.
• Vacation: 12-month certificated employees earn 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12-month certificated employees 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.

Internal Application Qualification

Are you a current salaried employee who is a tenured educational officer or was previously a tenured educational officer in the Hawai`i State Department of Education?

• Yes
• No

Required Question