Educational Specialist (Academic Support Educational Specialist) (0080997)

Title: Educational Specialist (Academic Support Educational Specialist)
Position Number:
Hiring Unit: College of Natural & Health Sciences Physics and Astronomy
Location: UH Hilo
Date Posted: August 11 2025
Closing Date: December 31 2025; first review date on or around August 27 2025
Salary: salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Month: 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Funding: General

Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately September 2025 pending position clearance and availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities (*denotes essential functions):

Provides a broad range of educational and administrative support to the Department of Physics and Astronomy with the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

Academic Support:

• * Coordinates with the UH Hilo Department Chair and Hilo-based UH Manoa College of Engineering staff at the Institute for Astronomy to provide academic support for programs in Physics Astronomy and Pre-Engineering
• Oversees all departmental facilities and requests maintenance as needed
• * Manages and maintains teaching laboratory equipment and demonstrations including the large departmental suite of portable telescopes
• * Provides generalized training on proper use and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment
• * Coordinates usage maintenance and repair of laboratory and field equipment and field vehicles; maintains all in proper and safe operating condition; keeps records of maintenance performed and usage maintains inventory and documents custody
• * Maintains departmental computers and printers under security protocols as established by UH and assists with software installation and connectivity to the campus network
• * Plans and coordinates student field instruction: assists instructors with organizing and scheduling field trips including organizing transportation; makes necessary arrangements for the field partys safety ensuring that appropriate safety equipment is available to students and instructors and that safety and first-aid briefings have been provided to students prior to the field trip. Obtains access and sampling permits as needed for field trips
• Provides technical and operational support to the ongoing UH Hilo Educational Observatory project
• * Duties may extend beyond normal working hours (mornings evenings and weekends) in assisting instructors during laboratory course field trips and departmental outreach events

Procurement and Fiscal Responsibilities

• * Processes and documents the purchase of Department equipment and supplies according to University of Hawaii procurement procedures
• Assists faculty in the procurement of equipment and supplies as needed.
• * Assists the Department Chair in keeping track of the Department budget

Click here to enter Duties and Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree in astronomy physics engineering computer science or related scientific field and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for physics/astronomy instructional support fieldwork or technical support in physics/astronomy instrumentation; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education knowledge skills and abilities as indicated.
2. Considerable working knowledge of principles practices and techniques in the area of physics/astronomy/engineering as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts principles and methodologies.
3. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws rules regulations and theories and systems associated with physics/astronomy/engineering.
4. Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective innovative and timely manner.
5. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations groups team leaders and members and individuals.
7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer apply word processing software andproficiency with computers operating Windows Mac or Unix systems.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

1. Click here to enter Desirable Qualifications (if applicable)Ability to travel to and from diverse astronomical observation sites and to perform needed work there including heavy lifting and scientific equipment operation at an elevation ranging from sea level to 10000 feet.
2. Must possess a valid drivers license throughout the duration of employment.
3. Strong organizational and communication skills and ability to multi-task.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in physics astronomy or engineering.
2. More than three years of work experience in a public institution for higher education.
3. Experience with design and operation of astronomical instruments small-aperture telescopes and with conducting astronomical observations.
4. KnowledgeofUniversityofHawaiiadministrativeandfiscalprocessesandprocedures.

To Apply:

Click on the Apply button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:

1. Cover letter addressing how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications and highlighting the ability to perform the stated duties;
2. Curriculum vitae/resume;
3. Names addresses email and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references; and
4. Official transcript(s) showing degree(s) and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however official transcripts will be required prior to employment).

Do not include any self-identifying photos and REDACT REFERENCES TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND DATE OF BIRTH ON TRANSCRIPT COPIES. All requested documents/information become the property of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Failure to submit all requested documents/information shall deem an application to be incomplete and will not be considered. Electronic submissions only.

Inquiries:

Dr. R. Pierre Martin;

The University of Hawaii 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: 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 Hawaii may be viewed at: 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 Hawaii 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: