Economic Development Specialist III (Energy) - SR-24

Economic Development Specialist III (Energy) - SR-24

Salary

$74,652.00 Annually

Location

Future vacancies with immediate vacancy in Hilo, HI

Job Type

Permanent & Temporary Positions

Job Number

2026-00138

Department

Research and Development

Opening Date

09/13/2026

Closing Date

9/22/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Duties Summary

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.

Examples of Duties

• 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 Hawaiis 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 Mayors 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 Hawaii Islands energy status and progress.

• Legislative, regulatory, and policy support:

• Monitors County, state, and federal legislation, policy developments, regulatory proceedings (State of Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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 drivers license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid drivers 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 applicants training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

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.

Supplemental Information

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

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

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

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:

Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.

Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you dont receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:

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

E-mail:jobs@hawaiicounty.gov

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: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• 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
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It 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. For more information visit https://ers.ehawaii.gov
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible employees may participate in the Island Savings Plan (a deferred compensation plan as provided under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.) This is a voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan that allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions into a variety of investment options.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Eligible employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of insurance premiums, qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers the following health benefit plans for eligible employees:
• Medical Plan (HMO or PPO)
• Vision Plan
• Dental Plan
• Prescription Drug Plan

These benefits are administered by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. For more information about current employee contribution rates and plans see the EUTF website (https://eutf.hawaii.gov).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The County offers a voluntary assistance program which provides its employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, such as: Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Victims Protection Leave, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, Donor Leave, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining.

01

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS. The information provided to these Supplemental Questions may be used in combination with your application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements and/or your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score. Please do not submit a resume in place of completing the Supplemental Questions. Any information you submit may be verified.

When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience Sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking.

I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected or my receiving a lower examination score. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information.

02

Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the closing date of the recruitment, unless otherwise specified. Your possession of the required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for the position. Overall paid or unpaid experience must be of such scope and responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position. It is essential that you describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Note: Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour work weeks. Part-time experience must be pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours per week is equivalent to six months of experience. In addition, hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week, per work experience, will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours per week is equivalent to one year, not one and one-half years.

• I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information.

03

Did you graduate from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree?

• Yes
• No

04

Did you scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application? 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.)

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have four (4) years of work experience involving the compilation, examination, analyses, and interpretation of statistical and other data?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "Yes" to question #5, please describe where you gained your work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following information:

A. Employers name

B. Your job title

C. Employment dates (from month/day/year to month/day/year)

D. Hours worked per week

E. Detailed description of your duties involving the compilation, examination, analyses, and interpretation of statistical and other data

F. The types of data you compiled, examined, analyzed and interpreted

G. The percentage of time you spent performing this work.

If you answered "No," enter N/A.

Be specific and complete ALL questions for ALL experience you are claiming. The following are unacceptable responses:

• See above
• Refer to resume
• See attached

07

If you answered "Yes" to question #5, did two (2) of those years involve the coordination and monitoring of community or economic development projects/programs?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "Yes" to question #7 please describe where you gained your work experience. Treat each change in employer or position separately. Include the following information:

A. Employers name

B. Your job title

C. Employment dates (from month/day/year to month/day/year)

D. Hours worked per week

E. Detailed description of your duties involving the coordination and monitoring of community or economic development projects/programs

F. The types of community or economic development projects/programs you were responsible for

G. The percentage of time you spent performing this work.

If you answered "No," enter N/A.

Be specific and complete ALL questions for ALL experience you are claiming. The following are unacceptable responses:

• See above
• Refer to resume
• See attached

09

Do you have a valid State of Hawai`i drivers license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable drivers license at the time of filing? (Note: You will be required to submit your valid drivers license at time of hire.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Hawai`i

Address Department of Human Resources

101 Pauahi Street, Suite 2

Hilo, Hawaii, 96720

Phone 808-961-8361

Website http://jobs.hawaiicounty.gov