HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

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

Job summary

County of Maui seeks a full-time Hawaiian Language Communications Specialist to develop and execute communications for the County Council and its offices. The role involves bilingual outreach, media coordination, and digital content production to inform residents and stakeholders.

Requirements include a bachelor’s or graduate degree, fluency in English and Hawaiian, and strong media relations skills. Salary range $66,953–$126,250 with opportunities based on education and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Proficient in English and Hawaiian: reading, writing, and speaking.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills for organizational representation.
• Proven social media and networking expertise.
• Knowledge of journalism and public relations.
• Valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Ability to translate between English and Hawaiian languages.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communications strategies to inform the public.
• Draft and issue newspaper columns and press releases.
• Manage social media accounts for the Office of Council Services.
• Serve as webmaster for online content and updates.
• Coordinate press conferences and media events.
• Produce video, photo, and other digital media content.
• Create public-education materials and conduct outreach presentations.
• Assist with special events as needed.
• Serve as contact person for media inquiries, video production, and distribution (Akaku).
• Serve as contact person for open meeting software and related tools.
• Collaborate with staff to support Council committees and members.
• Perform other related duties, including light lifting and equipment use.
• Keep Councilmembers and staff informed about current news and trends.

Skills

English proficiency

Hawaiian language proficiency

Communication skills

Social media expertise

Public relations knowledge

Translation English-Hawaiian

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s or graduate degree

Job description

WE’RE HIRING: HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

The Office of Council Services is recruiting for a full-time Hawaiian Language 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

Hawaiian Language 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. Hawaiian Language Communications Specialists may be reappointed by future Councils to additional terms.

Examples of Duties

• 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Education and Experience:
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Official transcripts may be requested.
• Proficient in all areas of English and Hawaiian language: reading, writing, and speaking.
• Communication skills, including writing and speaking on behalf of an organization.
• Proven social media and networking expertise.
• Knowledge of journalism and public relations.
• License Requirement: Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Ability to accurately and efficiently translate between English and Hawaiian languages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Hawaiian language translation.
• Proficiency in Hawaiian values-based literary and speaking preferences.
• Computer software management.
• Work for a legislative body.

Work Eligibility

All persons seeking employment with the Office of Council Services must 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 must become residents of the State within 30 days 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.

Supplemental Information

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.

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT

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

If you have never applied for a job using the NEOGOV system, you must create an account. You will need a username, password, and working email address to create your account. Your detailed work history is required on the application. A resume submitted in lieu of an application will not be sufficient. Furthermore, "See resume" is NOT an acceptable response under the "Work Experience" section. An application containing this response may be deemed incomplete. Applications may be rejected if they are incomplete.

The above recruitment is being administered on an open-competitive basis to establish an eligible list which shall be effective for not more than one year unless extended by the Director of Personnel Services.

RECRUITMENT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE COUNTY OF MAUl ONLY

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The County of Maui does 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 non-discrimination

Pre-Employment/Post-Offer Drug Screening Test

All applicants, who will enter a safety sensitive position or certain designated categories that the Personnel Services Director has established or who are required by law to be drug tested must pass a pre-employment/post-offer drug screening test as a condition of employment. There is no retesting or re-evaluation process. Cost for the drug screening test shall be borne by the County of Maui.

Personnel Services Email

[e-mail]