COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

County Of Maui; Wailuku (HI); On-site; USD 67,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

County Of Maui is seeking a Communications Specialist to develop and implement strategies, craft press releases, and manage digital media for the Office of Council Services. The role supports Council chairs and members across multiple offices.

Preferred candidates will have strong English communication, social media expertise, and knowledge of journalism and public relations. Hawaii language skills are a plus, with responsibilities spanning outreach and event support.

Qualifications

• Degree required; transcripts may be requested.
• Excellent English reading, writing, and speaking.
• Proven social media and networking experience.
• Knowledge of journalism and public relations.
• Experience communicating on behalf of an organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategies to provide accurate, timely information to the public.
• Draft and issue newspaper columns and press releases.
• Manage social media accounts and engage audiences.
• Serve as webmaster and coordinate press conferences.
• Produce video, photo, and visual content for digital media.
• Create public-education materials and conduct outreach presentations.
• Assist with special events and media inquiries, including Akaku services.
• Coordinate open meeting software and assist committees and offices.
• Ensure staff are updated on relevant news and trends for legislative work.
• Perform other duties including light lifting and use of equipment.

Skills

Social media expertise

Public relations

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree

Tools

Granicus

Job description

WE’RE HIRING: COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

The Office of Council Services is recruiting for a full-time Communications Specialist.

Who We Are

The Office of Council Services (OCS) provides administrative services to the Council Chair, the Councilmembers’ individual offices, and the Council’s residency area offices.

In the County’s legislative process, the role of OCS is to staff the County Council’s committees and provide objective assistance to individual Councilmembers.

Staff Appointments

Communications Specialists are appointed by the Council for the 2027-2029 Council term by resolution and do not have permanent or civil service status. The term begins at noon on January 2, 2027, and expires at noon on January 2, 2029. Communications Specialists may be reappointed by future Councils to additional terms.

Work collectively with the Hawaiian Language Communications Specialist in managing internal and external communications. Duties listed below apply to English; Hawaiian language is preferred.

• Develop and implement communications strategies, including through the Council’s Communications Plan, to provide accurate and timely information to the public.
• Draft and issue newspaper columns and press releases.
• Manage social media accounts.
• Serve as webmaster.
• Coordinate press conferences.
• Produce video, photo, and visual presentations and other digital-media content.
• Create and issue public-education materials and conduct presentations and outreach.
• Assist with special events.
• Serve as contact person for media inquiries, video production, broadcast, and distribution services (Akaku).
• Serve as contact person for open meeting software.
• Work in coordination with others to carry out the functions of the Office of Council Services, which include assisting the County Council committees and the Councilmembers, individually and collectively.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including light lifting and use of electronic equipment.
• Ensure Councilmembers and staff are kept apprised of the latest local and national news and trends relevant to their legislative work.

Education and Experience

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Official transcripts may be requested.
2. Proficient in all areas of the English language: reading, writing, and speaking.
3. Communication skills, including writing and speaking on behalf of an organization.
4. Proven social media and networking expertise.
5. Knowledge of journalism and public relations.

License Requirement

Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Proficient in all areas of Hawaiian language: reading, writing, and speaking.
2. Ability to accurately and efficiently translate between English and Hawaiian languages.
3. Professional Hawaiian language translation.
4. Proficiency in Hawaiian values-based literary and speaking preferences.
5. Computer software management, including Granicus.
6. Work for a legislative body.

Work Eligibility

All persons seeking employment with the Office of Council Services shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States or eligible under Federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States at the time of their application for employment and shall become residents of the State within 30days after beginning their employment and as a condition of eligibility for continued employment. Applicants must provide evidence verifying citizenship or alien registration status and employment authorization in the United States at the time of application.

Salary range

$66,953 to $126,250 annually, as established by Section 2.08.060, Maui County Code, depending on education and experience. Staff may be assigned to any step in the appropriate pay range.

Nondiscrimination policy

The Office of Council Services and the Maui County Council do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, arrest and court record, assignment of child support, National Guard participation, or any other basis covered by State or Federal laws governing nondiscrimination.