Economic Development Specialist III (Energy) - SR-24

County of Hawai`i; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Vacation time

Sick leave

Training opportunities

PSLF program

Job summary

County of Hawai'i seeks a seasoned professional to plan and manage energy initiatives on Hawai'i Island. The role focuses on coordinating programs, engaging communities, and advancing energy goals through data-driven decisions.

Responsibilities include monitoring legislation, coordinating grants, and representing the County in energy discussions with state and federal partners. A strong grounding in policy and stakeholder collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of work experience in data analysis and reporting.
• Two years coordinating community or economic development projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead energy strategy development and program management.
• Develop steps to meet the 2035 Renewable energy goal.
• Lead community engagement and stakeholder outreach.
• Represent the County at energy policy meetings and hearings.
• Analyze energy data and produce performance reports.
• Coordinate grants, pilots, and contracts.
• Support energy resilience and emergency preparedness.

Skills

Public engagement

Data analysis

Stakeholder facilitation

Strategic planning

Policy interpretation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Plans, organizes, identifies, coordinates, and develops opportunities for the expansion of new and existing businesses or community initiatives, assists in the development of emerging and existing industries; develops, promotes, and implements project initiatives; identifies funding sources; administers and monitors grants; and participates in the promotion of effective relationships with businesses, governmental entities, and community stakeholders; and performs other duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Department of Research and Development - Energy Division in Hilo.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

• County energy strategy and program management:
  • Leads the development, implementation, maintenance, and periodic updating of County energy goals, objectives, strategies, plans, and priority actions; conducts strategic research and analysis; identifies implementation options, partnerships, funding opportunities, and program needs; and recommends courses of action to advance long-term County energy priorities.
  • Develop measurable action steps for County to meet State of Hawai'i's Renewable energy goal by 2035.
• Public engagement and stakeholder facilitation:
  • Leads community engagement, public education, stakeholder outreach, and facilitation related to County energy issues; organizes and conducts meetings, workshops, briefings, and other forums; gathers and incorporates community input into energy planning and implementation efforts; and maintains effective liaison with residents, community organizations, businesses, agencies, and the Mayor's Office on energy matters, including issues of significant public interest or controversy.
• Interagency coordination and external representation:
  • Represents the County at boards, committees, working groups, hearings, panels, and other meetings involving energy policy, planning, infrastructure, and economic development; coordinates with County departments and external partners including state and federal agencies, utilities, regulatory bodies, and community organizations; and serves as a County resource person on energy-related initiatives and proceedings.
• Data analysis, scenario updates, and performance reporting:
  • Conducts and oversees the collection, compilation, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of energy-related data; utilizes analytical tools, modeling outputs, mapping products, and other technical information to support decision-making; develops and updates indicators, scenario analyses, and performance measures; and coordinates the development and maintenance of public-facing energy performance reporting, including periodic roadmap updates and annual summary reporting on Hawai'i Island's energy status and progress.
• Legislative, regulatory, and policy support:
  • Monitors County, state, and federal legislation, policy developments, regulatory proceedings (State of Hawai'i Public Utilities Commission dockets), and agency actions affecting energy planning, infrastructure, resilience, and affordability; reviews and drafts bills, resolutions, comments, testimony, briefing materials, and policy recommendations; and participates in hearings and related proceedings as a County representative or resource person.
• Project, grant, and contract coordination:
  • Coordinates and monitors County-supported energy projects, pilot programs, grants, and contracts; assists with scope development, partner coordination, procurement, contractor oversight, progress tracking, and evaluation of outcomes; and works with County, state, federal, nonprofit, academic, and private-sector partners to advance implementation of energy initiatives and secure external resources where feasible.
  • Responsible for annual Department Impact grant Request for Proposals for Energy program.
• Energy resilience and emergency preparedness support:
  • Monitors the fuel and energy supply situation affecting Hawai'i Island and coordinates with appropriate agencies and partners on energy resilience, emergency preparedness, recovery planning, and continuity considerations related to natural or human-caused disruptions.
• Other duties as assigned by Department Director/Deputy.

Training and Experience

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• four (4) years of work experience involving the compilation, examination, analyses, and interpretation of statistical and other data, and
• two (2) years of which shall have involved the coordination and monitoring of community or economic development projects/programs.

License Requirement

• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)

Note

Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official transcript or credential evaluation to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official transcript or credential evaluation to your application.)

Examination

All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Knowledge of

business management principles, economics, financing, and credit practices; organizational development; resource management; grant writing and management; government procurement practices; statistical research methods and techniques; sources of information on economic and business subjects; local and state economic trends; public relations; and supportive governmental programs available to businesses.

Ability to

plan, organize, and independently conduct complex research on business and economic subjects; apply theories and principles of marketing and business development; identify marketing needs of various businesses, industries, and commodities and develop effective plans for the resolution of problems in the area; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; utilize technology and software systems (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite); maintain an awareness of mainland and foreign market conditions and trends; prepare comprehensive reports based on research findings; attend island-wide meetings and functions, including off-hours and weekend work as needed; and conduct island-wide site inspections

Physical Requirements

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping

Light

Benefits of County employment

The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

Application URL

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Info Email

[e-mail]