Senior Community Services Specialist — Safe & Sound Westside

City and County of Honolulu; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 66,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation up to 21 days

Sick leave up to 21 days

Healthcare plans available

Public service loan forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

City & County of Honolulu is seeking a Community Services Specialist IV for the Safe & Sound Westside program, focusing on youth violence prevention along O‘ahu's Leeward Coast.

The role demands an experienced human services professional who manages complex cases, develops individualized plans, and collaborates with partners. It also includes program duties such as policy interpretation, protocol revision, and staff training to support community safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in counseling, criminal justice, human services or related field.
• 2+ years of professional experience in human services with caseload management.
• Ability to independently manage complex, high-risk cases.

Responsibilities

• Manage highly complex youth and family cases with resistance or risk factors.
• Develop and adapt individualized service plans and coordinate interventions.
• Interpret and apply program policy for Safe & Sound Westside initiatives.
• Provide training and monitor implementation of program components.

Skills

Case management

Independent judgment

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree with related coursework

Job description

COMMUNITY SERVICES SPECIALIST IV (SAFE & SOUND WESTSIDE)

• August 14, 2026

$5,527.00/month

Job Type:Full-Time Temporary
Location:1060 Richards Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Department:Prosecuting Attorney
Apply Before:Continuous

DUTIES SUMMARY: The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney is seeking a Community Services Specialist IV to serve within the Safe & Sound Westside Program, a youth violence prevention and intervention initiative along the Leeward Coast of O‘ahu (Kahe to Ka‘ena).

This position requires a fully trained, independent, and experienced human services professional who is responsible for a caseload consisting predominantly of highly complex cases: youth who exhibit resistance to services, hostility, or involvement in violence; who present multiple, severe, and interrelated psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental problems; and whose circumstances frequently draw law enforcement, media, or public attention. The position independently determines appropriate courses of intervention where established procedures do not provide clear guidance, exercises considerable authority and judgment in developing and adapting individualized service plans, and consults the Program Director primarily on matters that are unusual, controversial, or potentially precedent-setting.

In addition to this direct case management, the position also functions as a program specialist for the Safe & Sound Westside initiative, interpreting and applying program policy to new and emerging situations, developing and revising program protocols and guidelines, developing and delivering training for program partners, and monitoring and reporting on the implementation of program components. The position is non-clinical in nature and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or other services requiring professional licensure. This position reports to the Director of Safe & Sound Westside.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree that included a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in courses such as counseling, criminal justice, human services, psychology, social work, social welfare, sociology, behavioral sciences, or other related field.
• A minimum of two and one-half (2½) years of progressively responsible professional experience in human services work involving the identification and evaluation of client problems and needs, the development and implementation of individualized service or treatment plans, monitoring of services provided, and evaluation of client progress; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, high-risk caseloads involving resistant, hostile, or multiply-challenged clients.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in situations without clearly established procedures, and to recognize when to escalate unusual, controversial, or precedent-setting matters.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends for community events as necessary.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

LICENSE REQUIREMENT: Possession of an appropriate valid Hawaii State driver’s license (Type 3).

In addition to providing important services to the public, employment with the City & County of Honolulu has many excellent benefits including:

• Vacation: Employees may earn up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Employees may earn up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: 13 days a year; 14 days during election years.
• Training and Development: Computer, career, and personal enhancement courses are offered; curriculum designed for employee, supervisory, and management development.
• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and Vision Care: Various health insurance plans are available. Premiums are subsidized by the City and deductible from pre-tax income for participants of the Premium Conversion Plan (PCP).
• Group Life Insurance: No cost for eligible employees.
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Invest in your future…choose to defer part of your pre-tax income for retirement.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) of the State of Hawaii administers retirement benefits for State and County employees. Employee contribution required.
• Commuter Choice Pre-Tax Benefits: Employees may designate certain transportation expenses (TheBus, LOTMA, Vanpool Hawaii, etc.) as a pre-tax item
• Parking: Some job locations offer parking on-site; others may have access to parking at low monthly rates.
• Direct Deposit: Direct deposit of paychecks to a designated financial institution is available.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential, professional counseling and resource referral.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

* All benefits as stated above, are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or negotiated changes. Individuals are responsible for any related fees or charges that may apply.

At time of application, you must be a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under Federal law for unrestricted employment.