Public Information Specialist (Content Developer & Manager)(pos#0097710T)

Title: Public Information Specialist (Content Developer & Manager)         (UPDATED 8-7-26)
Position Number: 0097710T
Hiring Unit: Academic Affairs/Ka Haka Ula Keelikolani
Location: UH Hilo
Date Posted: July 24, 2026
Closing Date: August 15, 2026
Band: B
Salary : salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Month: 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

 Overview:

The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawaii, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawaii system, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development priorities for the State of Hawaii.

UH Hilo's College of Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani, was established in 1998 as the world's first college through the medium of Hawaiian. The College is named in honor of Ruth Keelikolani Keanolani Kanahoahoa, known for her strong advocacy of Hawaiian language and culture. The mission of the College is to assure the revitalization and continued advancement and growth of the Hawaiian language and mauli ola Hawaii. Our collective efforts will ensure the furthering of local, national and international initiatives toward establishing language and cultural vibrancy throughout the world.

The Public Information Specialist (Content Developer & Manager) plays an essential role in advancing Ka Haka Ula O Keelikolani’s educational mission through creating dynamic assets to increase visibility of the college's work, including all extramural projects and community affairs. Working closely with team members, cultural practitioners, and partner organizations, the specialist supports KHUOK programs and projects with high quality communications strategies that strengthen current and future programming and initiatives and help to ensure long term funding and support.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. *Creates, coordinates and executes a wide range of communication to students, faculty, and the public.
2. *Utilizes traditional and electronic publishing technologies. Provides technical expertise and serves as subject matter expert in all forms of communications related to program visibility and engagement with stakeholders and public.
3. *Produces communications collateral for use in printed and/or online marketing and communications efforts.
4. *Researches, writes, proofreads, edits, and optimizes copy for digital and print marketing and strategic communications for specific audiences on various mediums, including but not limited to ads, brochures, booklets, flyers, website content, blog content, radio and video scripts, social media posts, letters, invitations, news and feature stories, speeches, editorial pieces, and other information to promote the various college programs, activities, initiatives, and opportunities.
5. *Prepares/delivers information for release orally or in writing to the media and general public.
6. *Trains, monitors, coordinates, or directs the work of staff, student employees, volunteers, and interns in areas such as media development tools, processes, design practices, and media created for instructional use. 
7. *Develops a communications plan to increase visibility of various program's work (e.g. on website, newsletters, etc.) with governmental partners, education organizations, news media, and the public, including by:
             a) Creating content from existing and new material and sharing through multiple channels.
             b) Establish a schedule of newsletters and briefings to be sent to leaders, tribes, education organizations, language education coalitions, state and local stakeholders
8. Prepares and reviews news releases and photographs; prepares and distributes publications, plans and coordinates events, receptions, career fairs, etc. newsletter strategy, including audience, schedule, and content.
9. Collaborate with creative teams to produce and place op-eds and blog posts highlighting program reach. 
10. Uses content management software for website edits and customer relations management software to create and edit landing pages and email communications to support strategic marketing and communications initiatives.
11. Assists in the compilation and monitoring of analytics for select projects.
12. Other duties as assigned.

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Hawaiian Studies, Communications, Journalism, Law or Politics and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities in digital communication and multimedia content development, production and management; 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 management of P-20 Hawaiian Language Medium based educational programs 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 management of informal/formal culture based educational programs.
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 including Google Suite, and graphic design programs.
8. For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
9. .Demonstrated strategic planning experience including robust oversight and advising senior leadership.
10. Demonstrated understanding of language revitalization and reclamation efforts in Hawaii and at the federal legislative level.
11. Demonstrated public speaking skills.
12. Demonstrated experience with development and implementation of indigenous culturally responsive digital products.
13. Demonstrated experience with event planning and coordination.
14. Demonstrated experience with grant administration.

1. .Demonstrated oral and written fluency in the Hawaiian language and successful completion of 4 years of university level Hawaiian Language courses.
2. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with members of the Hawaiian speaking public, students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
3. Master's degree in related field: Hawaiian Studies, Law, Policy, Communications.

1. Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met.
2. A current resume. 
3. The names and addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three [3] current professional references.
4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment). 

The University of Hawai'i 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:  https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment 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 Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, 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 Hawai'i 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: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled