(CASUAL) Communications Specialist

*** Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University of Hawaii may apply for Casual Hire positions which include administrative professional and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits as provided to regular Board of Regents (BOR) and Civil Service employees. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.

Title: (CASUAL) Communications Specialist

Hiring Unit: Ka Haka Ula o Keelikolani

Position: ***Casual Hire***

Location: UH Hilo

Date Posted: January 6 2026

Closing Date: January 13 2026

Salary: $40/hr

Full time/Part time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: Casual Hire temporary appointment is expected begin February 2026 or soon thereafter. Not to exceed 89 days.

Duties:

1. Improve program visibility and engagement with stakeholders and public
2. Prepare/deliver information for release orally or in writing to the media and general public.
3. Develop a communications plan to increase visibility of various programs work (e.g. on website newsletters etc.) with governmental partners education organizations news media and the public.
4. Creating content from existing and new material and sharing through multiple channels
5. Developing a schedule of newsletters and briefings to be sent to leaders tribes education organizations language education coalitions state and local stakeholders
6. Developing and implementing an awareness strategy for assigned programs
7. Creating public affairs products including blog posts op-eds one pagers that can be shared widely
8. Engage with a variety of stakeholders
9. Develop a full-spectrum communications plan that bridges long-term vision with immediate action through clearly defined goals and supporting tactics.
10. Newsletter strategy including audience schedule and content
11. Produce and place high-impact Op-Eds and blog posts detailing the past current and future program reach and goals
12. Identifies solicits and prioritizes stories photographs functions and events creates layout directs design.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree with a concentration in English/Journalism Marketing or Policy/Law and 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for marketing policy communications consultation; or equivalent education/training or experience.
2. Demonstrated experience in project management working with internal and external teams on results-based materials.
3. Demonstrated Experience developing communications strategies.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Masters Degree in Education Law or Marketing
2. Experience with digital media and branding
3. Familiarity with policy and education strategic planning

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;

Transcripts 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. Copies of diplomas will not be accepted.

Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birthdates on transcript copies. All requested documents/information will become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the hire date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.

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

Inquiries: Martha

Please refer to the Communications Specialist Casual Hire when making inquiries.

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.

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: