District Educational Specialist II - Kau-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area, 76102 (2026-03934)

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 115,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holidays

Vacation (21 days)

Sick Leave (21 days)

Health Insurance

Job summary

Hawaiʻi State Department of Education seeks an Educational Officer to oversee compliance and program development for students with disabilities in a 12-month, limited-term appointment serving the Hilo area.

The role requires knowledge of SPED laws, policy development, and collaboration with complex area teams to drive evidence-based practices and professional development across schools. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in education with specialization in one or more subject matters appropriate to the areas of assignment.
• Desired Education: Bachelor's degree in special education, disability studies, and/or psychology.
• Experience: Six (6) years of responsible professional work experience in education of which four (4) years shall have been in teaching and two (2) years in curriculum or program planning, as appropriate.
• Desired Experience: Teaching experience assessing students with disabilities, conducting intervention identification and/or data collection, and providing program development and/or supervision.
• Knowledge: Foundations of curriculum and instruction; instructional media and computers; foundations of American education; principles of learning and individual differences; tests and measurements; purposes, methods and materials pertinent to one or more subject matters and/or program areas of assignment; laws, rules, regulations and administrative procedures pertinent to the areas of assignment.
• Ability to: Provide leadership, planning and coordination in the areas of assignment at the district level; communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing; operate computer and other business machines; use tools, equipment, instruments and devices appropriate to one or more subject matters and/or program areas of assignment.
• Desired Ability to: Provide supervision and capacity building of district office teachers, support and office staff.

Responsibilities

• Reviews federal, state and DOE policies and procedures. Develops systems, special programs, and processes that improve compliance and results for schools and students with disabilities. Maintains current knowledge of SPED laws/regulations, DOE policies/practices, and techniques for special projects related to SPED.
• Collaborates with the Complex Area Team in planning and developing special projects related to Evidence Based Practices for students with severe/profound disabilities and/or extensive support needs. Creates and organizes training resources and guides related to assigned special projects and complex area wide professional development. Collaborates with outside organizations to develop partnerships for special programs.
• Assists with complex area compliance monitoring requirements to ensure appropriate actions and follow up. Arranges for training and implementation for audit visits, compliance review, and general supervision and support.
• Supports and supervises employees through the Educator Effectiveness System and Performance Appraisal System. Assists in hiring from pool of qualified candidates to support special programs.
• Coordinates and/or supports special programs such as homebound students, residential placements, skilled nursing, home hospital, and discipline for students with disabilities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job description

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT ISSUED

This position is included in the Educational Officers' Bargaining Unit and will be filled as a limited term temporary appointment. Probationary service credit and tenure are not granted for temporary appointments.

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

• Reviews federal, state and DOE policies and procedures. Develops systems, special programs, and processes that improve compliance and results for schools and students with disabilities. Maintains current knowledge of SPED laws/regulations, DOE policies/practices, and techniques for special projects related to SPED.


• Collaborates with the Complex Area Team in planning and developing special projects related to Evidence Based Practices for students with severe/profound disabilities and/or extensive support needs. Creates and organizes training resources and guides related to assigned special projects and complex area wide professional development. Collaborates with outside organizations to develop partnerships for special programs.


• Assists with complex area compliance monitoring requirements to ensure appropriate actions and follow up. Arranges for training and implementation for audit visits, compliance review, and general supervision and support.


• Supports and supervises employees through the Educator Effectiveness System and Performance Appraisal System. Assists in hiring from pool of qualified candidates to support special programs.


• Coordinates and/or supports special programs such as homebound students, residential placements, skilled nursing, home hospital, and discipline for students with disabilities.


• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in education with specialization in one or more subject matters appropriate to the areas of assignment.

Desired Education: Bachelor's degree in special education, disability studies, and/or psychology.

Experience: Six (6) years of responsible professional work experience in education of which four (4) years shall have been in teaching and two (2) years in curriculum or program planning, as appropriate.

Desired Experience: Teaching experience assessing students with disabilities, conducting intervention identification and/or data collection, and providing program development and/or supervision.

Knowledge: Foundations of curriculum and instruction; instructional media and computers; foundations of American education; principles of learning and individual differences; tests and measurements; purposes, methods and materials pertinent to one or more subject matters and/or program areas of assignment; laws, rules, regulations and administrative procedures pertinent to the areas of assignment.

Ability to: Provide leadership, planning and coordination in the areas of assignment at the district level; communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing; operate computer and other business machines; use tools, equipment, instruments and devices appropriate to one or more subject matters and/or program areas of assignment.

Desired Ability to: Provide supervision and capacity building of district office teachers, support and office staff.

Supplemental Information

SALARY RANGE: EOSR-7, $114,820 to $162,535.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Internal Application Qualification

• Yes


• No

Required Question