Program Specialist V (Early Learning Navigator) - Student Support Section

Program Specialist V (Early Learning Navigator) - Student Support Section

Salary

$6,043.00 - $7,351.00 Monthly

Location

Honolulu, HI 96816

Job Type

Temporary, Full-time 12-month

Job Number

2026-00425

District / Complex Area

Classified / OSSS / Student Services

School / Office

Classified / Student Support

Opening Date

04/01/2026

Max Number of Applicants

25

Position %

100%

Position Number

806047

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Salary Range: 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 applicants exceptional qualifications, the availability of funds, and other relevant factors. Such appointments require prior approval. Hawaii State Department of Education employees will be placed on the salary range in accordance with Department regulations.

Program Specialist V, SR-24: $6,043.00 - $7,351.00 per month

Examples of Duties

• Participate on community teams focused on working with early learning.
• Working with existing early childhood providers to develop and implement strategies, policies, and practices to recruit and enroll more identified children in quality programming.
• Identify barriers to enrollment, attendance, and successful child outcomes in quality programming and develop strategies to overcome those barriers, in partnership with other stakeholders.
• Provide timely and relevant guidance to families or caregivers in the pursuit of all available early childhood program options.
• Assist in the identification of unaccompanied homeless and parenting youth and assist with enrollment into child care as needed.
• Develop relationships with families with young children, for the purposes of ongoing support with enrollment into early childhood programs and successful transition to Kindergarten, including enrollment, attendance and full participation in all activities.
• Document and track critical information on families/children supported by this program.
• Contribute to the development of processes for tracking data, both before placement and after, to monitor impact.
• Participate in the ongoing analysis of the systems capacity to support the early learning needs of kids and families in unstable housing.
• Develop and implement an annual needs assessment process to identify areas of program improvement and unmet student and family needs, to include data collection and analysis, research, as well as direct input from parents and providers.
• Assist in locating resources/learning pathways available from state, federal, county, and private agencies to meet the needs of children and youth experiencing homeless.
• Manage the Head Start referral application project.

Minimum Qualifications

Prerequisite Knowledge and Abilities Required: For some positions, in addition to the knowledge and abilities required at the IV level, knowledge of effective work organization and staff utilization; and, ability to plan, assign, review and evaluate the work of others; and organize and coordinate operational activities.

Basic Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree.

Excess work experience as described under the Specialized Experience below or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities.

The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Experience Requirements: Except for the substitutions provided for in this specification, applicants must have had progressively responsible experience of the kind and quality described in the statements below and in the amounts shown in the following table or any equivalent combination of training and experience:

Class TitleSpecialized

Experience

(Yrs)Supervisory

Experience

(Yrs)Total

Experience

(Yrs) Program Specialist V3-1/2*3-1/2

• Supervisory Aptitude: For some positions in the class, Program Specialist V, applicants must possess supervisory aptitude.

Specialized Experience: Three and one-half (3 1/2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or a combination of the following:

• Progressively responsible professional experience which demonstrated the ability to conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects through active participation in the planning, coordination, development and/or evaluation of programs and/or program activities. The experience must have involved performing professional work concerned with program interrelationships, effectiveness or intra-program integration. It must further have demonstrated a high degree of analytical skill involving the ability to identify information needs, collect and analyze data, and identify problems and alternative solutions and their advantages and disadvantages and develop logical recommendations for a course of action and the ability to read, comprehend and interpret complex material such as State statutes and/or federal regulations and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions.
• Progressively responsible professional work experience in a pertinent field/program area which provided knowledge of principles and practices, current issues and concerns of the identified field/program area and State and federal agencies, community organizations and agencies, resources and services that interact with and have an impact on the agency's programs and activities.

For Program Specialist V, applicants must possess experience independently performing the full range of program planning, development and evaluation activities for an agency's program or program activities.

Supervisory Aptitude: For some positions in the class, Program Specialist V, applicants must possess supervisory aptitude. Supervisory aptitude is the demonstration of aptitude or potential for the performance of supervisory duties through successful completion of regular or special assignments which involve some supervisory responsibilities or aspects; by serving as a group or team leader or in similar work in which opportunities for demonstrating supervisory capabilities exist; by the completion of training courses in supervision accompanied by application of supervisory skills in work assignments; or by favorable appraisals by a supervisor indicating the possession of supervisory potential.

Substitutions Allowed: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration or a field pertinent to the agency's programs and activities may only be substituted for one year of the Specialized Experience (Type 1).

Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicants overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that applicant has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which applicant is being considered.

Supplemental Information

Salary: The advertised salary is based on full-time employment and includes shortage and school year differentials, if applicable.

Requirements: Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application, unless otherwise specified. Unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour workweeks. Part-time experience is pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours/week is equivalent to six months of experience, not one year. Also, hours worked in excess of 40 hours/week will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours/week is equivalent to one year of experience, not one and a half years.

Temporary Assignment: Claims of Temporary Assignment (TA) experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements must be verified and attached to the application using one of the options below:

• A copy of the applicant's TA History Report or equivalent system-generated report;

• A signed letter from the applicant's supervisor that includes the applicant's name, his/her TA job title, the TA start and end dates (from mm/yy to mm/yy), his/her specific TA duties performed, and either the TA hours worked per week or total TA hours worked; or,

• Copies of the applicant's signed SF-10 Forms.

Documents: Attach all relevant supporting documents to your application. Documents that were attached to applications submitted before November 16, 2023 do not automatically attach or transfer to applications submitted on and after December 16, 2023. All submitted documents become the property of the Hawaii State Department of Education.

Information about Temporary Positions: Temporary positions may be extended year to year, dependent upon funding and departmental needs. Making yourself available for temporary positions increases your employment possibilities and may lead to permanent opportunities. A person hired for a temporary position may also become a temporary employee upon satisfactory completion of the initial probation period of at least six months. Once a temporary employee, you would be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits as afforded to an employee in a permanent position, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force.

Equal Opportunity

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, and National Guard participation, as well as on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Payday

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.

12-month civil service and SSP employees enjoy a range of competitive benefits:

• Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.
• Vacation: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year. Accumulated (unused) credits may be used toward computing retirement benefits.
• Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employees enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.
• Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits.
• Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.
• Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.
• Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employees social security account.
• Workers Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers compensation.
• Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employees job is excluded from collective bargaining.

The above is intended as a general summary of the benefits offered and is subject to change. This does not constitute a contract or binding agreement. Benefits vary by type of employment appointment and collective bargaining agreements.

01

PROGRAM SPECIALIST EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

Which statement below describes your education qualification? Note: You must submit an original or a legible copy of your official college/university transcripts from each institution to receive credit.

• I have a Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• I have four (4) years of responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those gained from completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
• In addition to a. above, I have a masters degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration or a field pertinent to the agencys program.
• I do not have any of the above mentioned education or experience.

02

PROGRAM SPECIALIST SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT:

Do you possess three and one-half (3 1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience which demonstrated the ability to conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects through active participation in the planning, coordination, development and/or evaluation of programs and/or program activities?

The experience must have involved performing professional work concerned with program interrelationships, effectiveness or intra-program integration. It must have demonstrated a high degree of analytical skill involving the ability to identify information needs, collect and analyze data, and identify problems and alternative solutions and their advantages and disadvantages and develop logical recommendations for a course of action and the ability to read, comprehend and interpret complex material such as State statutes and/or federal regulations and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions.

• Yes, I possess at least three and a half (3½) years of professional analytical work experience as described.
• No, I do not possess any professional work experience as described in the Specialized Experience Requirement.

03

PROGRAM SPECIALIST SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT (Cont.):

For each employer/position you would like considered, provide a detailed description of your experience which demonstrated your ability to:

(A) conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects through active participation in the planning, coordination, development and/or evaluation of programs and/or program activities;

(B) perform professional work concerned with program interrelationships, effectiveness or intra-program integration;

(C) identify information needs, collect and analyze data, and identify problems and alternative solutions and their advantages and disadvantages and develop logical recommendations for a course of action; and,

(D) read, comprehend and interpret complex material such as State statutes and/or federal regulations and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions.

For each employer/position, please include the following information:

1. Employers name;

2. Your official job title;

3. Dates of employment (from-to & month/year); and,

4. The average number of hours worked per week.

Be sure to include a detailed description of the specific duties you performed, the average number of hours per week performing each duty, the primary function of your position, and the name and official title of your immediate supervisor and a short explanation of how your duties were different from your supervisors duties. Identify and treat each employer or change in position separately.

Note: Use specific language that clearly describes the extent of your involvement and experience. Do not copy/paste or give reference to your resume as a response to this question. If your write up is unclear, you may be asked to provide a copy of your official job/position description. If you do not have experience, type "None" in the space provided.

04

PROGRAM SPECIALIST SPECIALLIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT (Cont.): For Program Specialist V, applicants must possess experience independently performing the full range of program planning, development and evaluation activities for an agencys program or program activities. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

05

TRANSCRIPTS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER VERIFYING DOCUMENTS:

Official or copies of official transcripts, certifications (front and back), and other documents that verify you meet the minimum qualification requirements must be submitted with your application. If these documents are NOT received, your application may be rejected.

• My documents are attached to this application.
• My documents were attached to a previously submitted application.
• I may or may not submit my documents at a later date. I understand that my application will be evaluated based on the information available at that time.

Required Question

Employer Hawaii State Department of Education

Address P.O. Box 2360

Honolulu, Hawaii, 96804

Website https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org