Educational Specialist (#0097318T)

Title: Educational Specialist

Position Number:T

Hiring Unit: Imiloa Astronomy Center

Location: UH-Hilo

Date Posted: December 18 2025

Closing Date: January 5 2026

Band: A

Salary :salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Position Overview:

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawaii known for its unique blend of cultural immersion and research opportunities leveraging the islands extraordinary geological biological and cultural diversity. It is a comprehensive regional university within the ten-campus University of Hawaii System focusing primarily on high-quality baccalaureate and select postgraduate education including distinctive programs in areas like marine science geology astronomy and Hawaiian language revitalization.

The Imiloa Astronomy Centers Education Department serves as a dynamic hub for science and culture-based learning delivering innovative programming that inspires curiosity strengthens community connections and supports educational pathways across Hawaii. This department leads the development coordination and implementation of a wide range of learning experiencesfrom on-site programs and school partnerships to culture-based STEM initiativesensuring that Imiloas mission to blend science and Hawaiian culture is reflected throughout all educational offerings.

The Education Specialist plays an essential role in advancing Imiloas educational mission through collaborative curriculum development program delivery and the cultivation of meaningful learning experiences for keiki educators and community members. Working closely with team members cultural practitioners and partner organizations the specialist supports programs such as Halau Lamaku by designing hands-on activities fostering culturally grounded learning environments and contributing to the growth of sustainable high-quality educational programming that uplifts learners and strengthens the broader community.

Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately February 2026 pending position clearance and availability of funding. Temporary position renewal contingent upon satisfactory work performance availability of funds and program needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinates and supports the education exhibits and planetarium teams in the development implementation and evaluation of curriculum and programs aimed at furthering the mission of Imiloa.

2. Collaborating with Imiloa staff and external resources to research develop prepare and deliver engaging hands-on inquiry-based curricula and materials that align with Imiloas core values and endeavors with a focus on incorporating a Hawaiian worldview.

3. Collaborates with partners/contractors to assist in the development of new curriculum and program experiences.

4. Oversees and supports the development and implementation of public programs including events camps field trips workshops lectures shows outreach events and special programs related to formal and informal educational programs.

5. Assists in fostering established relationships and cultivating partnerships with the University of Hawaii system UH Hilo and other community organizations to aid in the development of curriculum experiences.

6. Individually and collaboratively builds curriculum for and directly facilitates field trip and group tour experiences.

7. Works closely with the marketing team to assist in developing marketing strategies and products.

8. Assists in managing the unit budget income billing and expenses.

9. Assists in the development and submission of grants as well as the implementation of funded programs.

10. Collaborates with guest services and facilities to assist in program development coordination.

11. Actively participates in a strategic planning and implementation team for field trips special events and outreach experiences and associated marketing.

12. Individually and collaboratively presents programming in the planetarium setting.

13. Provides training and leadership in task delegation and supervision of student hires/interns and docents.

14. Generate regular reports on program themes participation performance and trends to inform decision-making and future curriculum development.

15. Direct outreach to schools and educational organizations.

16. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of baccalaureate degree in the fields of Hawaiian studies environmental sciences education psychology or other related field and one (1) year of progressively responsible professional experience with educational experience with responsibilities for educational product and curricula development and implementation in place based experiential education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education knowledge skills and abilities as indicated.

2. Demonstrated proficiency in developing curricula and educational activities in Hawaiian placed based educational programs.

3. One (1) year of formal or informal education program delivery including coordinating and presenting public and student education programs.

4. Demonstrated ability to operate personal computers and apply word processing software.

5. Working knowledge of the principles and techniques in the development of cultural/STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics) based educational products and programs in informal/formal educational settings.

6. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly both verbally and in writing.

7. Demonstrated ability to resolve complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic in an innovative and timely manner.

8. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations groups team leaders and other individuals.

9. Demonstrated organizational skills with attention to detail.

10. Ability to effectively manage time and prioritize tasks.

11. One (1) year of experience developing place-based experiential educational materials/curricula.

12. Knowledge of Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian natural history.

13. Experience working with the general public/or providing visitor services.

14. Strong communication skills both verbal and written.

15. Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work setting.

16. Familiarity with the latest educational techniques and methodologies through coursework workshops or professional development opportunities in informal education.

1. Masters degree in Education Hawaiian Studies or Science related field.

2. Experience working with students in Hawaii P-12 schools.

3. Demonstrated working knowledge with Adobe Creative Cloud design software.

4. Experience working in a community education and / or science-based museum center.

5. Working knowledge of UH and RCUH policies and procedures.

6. Hawaiian language proficiency.

7. Experience working with early childhood education (infant to 5yo).

8. Experience and understanding of Versai museum management system.

9. Experience in fundraising development outreach and program revenue generation.

10. Customer service experience.

11. Experience in planetarium operations.

12. 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 explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met.
2. Resume
3. Names and addresses email addresses and telephone numbers of three 3 current
4. professional references
5. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however original official transcripts will be required prior to employment).

Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number

and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution 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. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.

All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

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Inquiries: Lisa Spain

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: