Human Resource Officer III - Labor Relations Section, 60073 (2026-03906)

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

Job summary

The Hawaii State Department of Education is seeking a Human Resource Officer III to oversee statewide contract administration and labor relations for multiple employee units. Under general supervision, you will guide staff, provide technical direction, and coordinate with senior leaders to implement policies.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in business administration or management with HR coursework, plus seven years of HR experience (three in education).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration with specialization in human resources management or management with personnel/industrial relations coursework.
• Seven (7) years of professional HR experience, with at least 3 years in an education program, agency, or system.
• Juris Doctorate degree may substitute for part of the experience.
• Knowledge of labor relations, bargaining, compensation, staffing, and related regulations.

Responsibilities

• Administers statewide contract administration for Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 13.
• Develops and maintains a statewide grievance/arbitration program and provides technical assistance to managers.
• Provides technical direction and reviews staff work; reports to leadership.
• Provides labor relations guidance and conducts research.
• Assists in budget development and supervises Labor Relations staff and personnel actions.
• Liaises with state agencies; prepares yearly openings; performs legislative tasks; drafts memos.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Supervision

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or management with HR coursework

Juris Doctorate (preferred)

Job description

SPECIAL INTERNAL / EXTERNAL

This job posting will remain open until 20 applications are received. Please apply immediately as this recruitment may close at any time.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT ISSUED

This position is excluded in the Educational Officers' Bargaining Unit and will be filled as a limited term vicing appointment.

A WRITTEN EXAMINATION/ASSIGNMENT MAY BE ADMINISTERED TO HELP DETERMINE POSSESSION OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES PORTIONS OF THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

Under the general supervision of the Director of the Employee Relations Branch, the Human Resource Officer III:

1. 1. Administers and oversees a total state-wide contract administration program for the following negotiated contracts: Blue-Collar Non-Supervisory (Unit 1), Blue-Collar Supervisory (Unit 2), White-Collar Non-Supervisory (Unit 3), White-Collar Supervisory (Unit 4), Teachers (Unit 5), Educational Officers (Unit 6), Registered Professional Nurses (Unit 9), Non-Professional Hospital and Institutional Workers (Unit 10), and Professional-Scientific Employees (Unit 13).
2. 2. Develops and maintains a state-wide grievance/arbitration program for included Department employees and a program of technical assistance for Department managers in the imposition of disciplinary action involving included employees.
3. 3. Provides technical direction and guidance to subordinates; reviews and approves staff work via conferences, staff meetings, and progress and status reports; submits reports and recommendations for approval and decision to the Employee Relations Branch Director, the Office of Talent Management Assistant Superintendent, the Superintendent, or others as directed.
4. 4. Provides technical labor relations and contract administration assistance to Department personnel by reviewing Department programs for possible contractual implications; recommending alternative actions to conform to negotiated contracts, if necessary; and conducting and providing research.
5. 5. Assists the Director of the Employee Relations Branch with the development and execution of the operating budget and monitoring expenditures of the Labor Relations Section. Provides administrative supervision over the Labor Relations Section personnel, which includes, but is not limited to: approving leaves; initiating requests for promotion, transfers, disciplinary and other personnel actions; evaluating and rating performance of subordinates; participating in interview and selection processes for section/branch vacancies; and processing other personnel actions for the section, as needed.
6. 6. Serves as a resource person and liaison to assist the Director of the Employee Relations Branch and the Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Talent Management in communications with other state agencies as requested; prepares and distributes the Opening of the School Year Packet; performs legislative related duties; drafts memos and correspondences to statewide staff; and participates in work groups as requested.
7. 7. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in business administration with specialization in human resources management, or with specialization in management which includes course work in personnel administration and/or industrial relations.

Education Desired

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

Seven (7) years of responsible professional work experience in one or more areas of human resource management of which three (3) years shall have been in an education program, agency, or system.

Combined Education and Experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be acceptable as determined by the Department. Substitutions can be considered for the requirement of experience in an education program, agency, or system.

Knowledge

Human resource administration; leadership and group dynamics; organizational change and effectiveness; labor problems; business statistics; principles and practices pertinent to the area(s) of assignment such as compensation, the staffing process, collective bargaining and dispute settlement, or employee benefits, etc.; laws, rules, regulations, and administrative procedures pertinent to the area(s) of assignment; principles and practices of supervision and management.

Knowledge Desired

Best practices and methodologies for handling grievances and arbitrations.

Ability to

Plan, organize, and direct functions and activities in the area(s) of assignment including complex analysis and report preparation, coordination and consultative services, and development of department-wide guidelines and procedures; deal effectively with federal, state, county and departmental officials to accomplish goals and objectives; communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing; operate computer and other business machines.

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