Program Specialist (Program Coordinator 0081656T, 0081670T)

University of Hawaii System; Dihlabeng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A public university system located in Dihlabeng Local Municipality seeks a Program Specialist to coordinate educational programs, promote college access initiatives, and work with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant bachelor's degree and have experience in program administration. This full-time role offers a temporary position until 09/30/2026 with potential for extension.

Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in a relevant field.
• Functional knowledge of college access principles.
• Ability to work outside normal hours as needed.

Responsibilities

• Work with DOE and community members to achieve program goals.
• Plan and implement early college awareness activities.
• Serve as a liaison to community partners.

Skills

Communication

Conflict resolution

Outreach

Education

Baccalaureate degree in a relevant field

Tools

Word processing software

Job description

Program Specialist (Program Coordinator)

Position Number: 0081656T, 0081670T

Hiring Unit: OFC OF VP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS, SEED, FEDERAL & STATE GRANT PROGRAMS, GEAR UP MANOA

Location: UH at Manoa

Date Posted: 11/17/25

Closing Date: 12/01/25

Band: A

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information: PBA, minimum $4,458/month

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: Not-to-exceed 09/30/2026, with the possibility of extension pending position clearance and availability of funds and/or contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Duties and Responsibilities (essential functions)

• * Work with Hawaii State DOE school administrators, teachers, GEAR UP staff and community members in carrying out the goals and objectives of the program.
• * Work with Hawaii State DOE school administrators, teachers, and community partners to identify opportunities and/or activities that promote a college-going culture for varied populations of families.
• * Plan, organize, implement, and evaluate GEAR UP services, including educational field trips, workshops on academic planning, study skills, test‑taking strategies, student development and leadership training.
• * Plan and coordinate early college awareness services and activities, including college visits, college student shadowing, and workshops on financial aid and financial planning, which may include working outside of normal business hours such as evenings, weekends and/or holidays as needed.
• * Plan and coordinate events, activities, and services for GEAR UP Family Association, including quarterly family events and workshops on educational success, college readiness, and financial literacy.
• * Coordinate the recruitment, curriculum development, and instruction of GEAR UP professional development activities and in‑service training for teachers and staff at project schools.
• * Serve as the liaison to community partners and organize meetings with community partners to insure continued participation in the program and monitor memoranda of agreement to insure compliance with the goals and expectations of the project.
• * Assist with the collection of data and other assessment and development needs, as it pertains to this component of the GEAR UP project. Provide appropriate data and narrative for inclusion in the performance reports to the U.S. Department of Education.
• * Communicate on a regular basis with the GEAR UP staff to insure compliance with the goals and expectations of the project. Develop materials for distribution to students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff.
• * Participate in ongoing project research and evaluation (focused on college access programs, education reform initiatives, and language and culture awareness and academic enrichment).
• * Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in liberal arts, social sciences, arts and humanities, science, education, business administration, public administration, or related field and 0 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for program administration and/or program coordination; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Functional knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of college access and/or early college awareness programs demonstrated by knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts, terminology.
• Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws, rules, regulations and systems associated with college access and/or early college awareness programs.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve the full range problems that may commonly occur in the area of college access programs.
• Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with working with students and families in a K-12 setting.
• Knowledge of college access programs for a wide range of students.
• Ability to conduct outreach and recruitment aimed at varied populations of students & parents.
• Ability to manage sensitive information and files containing confidential student information.
• Ability to work effectively, in a culturally sensitive manner, with individuals from a wide range of communities.
• Ability to plan and implement activities and events for students in middle and high school and their parents.
• Ability to travel to and from co-location sites in a timely manner by means of personal vehicle with valid driver’s license or comparable means of transportation to perform duties which meets position needs.
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in liberal arts, social sciences, arts and humanities, science, Education, business administration, public administration or related field.
• Knowledge and experience with EDGAR, RCUH, UH policies and procedures, and FERPA.
• Experience working with college access programs, particularly in recruitment and educational intervention efforts aimed at varied student populations.
• Experience working with community‑based and non‑profit organizations and social service agencies on Oahu.
• Experience and familiarity working with the administrators and students in the Wahiawa, Waipahu, or Hilo complex area.
• Experience teaching and supporting students with the rigors of college‑level math or English (or early college).
• Experience using digital tools and platforms (i.e. social media, gaming, video, digital storytelling) strategically to engage and galvanize students to take action toward a goal.
• Documented experience in teaching and supporting students virtually for core academic subjects (i.e. math and English).

To Apply

Click on the “APPLY” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. Applicant must submit the following:

• Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications;
• Current resume;
• Names and contact information (including telephone number and email addresses) of at least three (3) professional references;
• Copies of official undergraduate and graduate (as applicable) transcripts indicating degree conferred date with confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) redacted. However, original official transcripts are required upon hire. Transcripts issued outside the United States of America require a course‑by‑course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA.

Incomplete, late or unreadable applications will not be considered. Academic record/grade summaries will not be accepted. Diplomas and copies will not be accepted.

Note: If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

Inquiries: Edmond Lee (Program Manager); [e-mail]; 808‑956‑4796

The University of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai‘i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re‑employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai‘i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/