Job Description

Posting number: 2026-02005

Department: Office of the Vice President for Administration System

Job classification: CASUAL

Posting type: Open

Categories: Communications

Summary

****Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University Hawai'i 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 BOR and Civil Service employees such as paid leave and holidays. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.

Working Title: Research & Communications Associate

Position Number: ****Casual Hire

Hiring Unit: VP for Administration, Office of Planning and Experiential Design

Location: Manoa Campus

Date Posted: 09/17/2026

Closing Date: 09/18/2026, 11:59 pm HST

Salary Range: $30 to $36 per hour

Schedule: Up to 30 hours per week

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Funding: Special

Other Conditions

To begin as soon as September 23, 2026. Renewal of position is subject to satisfactory work performance and availability of funds.

Description

The Research and Communications Associate conducts applied research, archival investigation, writing, editing, and communications support related to the built and natural environments associated with the Office of Planning & Spatial Experience (OPSE), the Campus Design Lab (CDL), and affiliated campus and community initiatives operating under the Campus Environments team under the Office of the Vice President for Administration. The position supports the development of research-informed narratives,

interpretive writing, reports, publications, digital content, and communication materials that help communicate planning, design, engagement, and research efforts to University and broader Hawai'i communities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct desk research, archival research, precedent studies, and background investigations related to architectural, environmental, urban, cultural, ecological, and campus planning initiatives.
• Research and synthesize historical, cultural, social, spatial, and environmental information into clear written narratives and supporting materials.
• Prepare, write, edit, and proofread internal reports, project summaries, website content, exhibition materials, publications, and externally facing communication documents.
• Assist with the development of scripts, storyboards, captions, and narrative content for animations, videos, presentations, and digital media communication efforts.
• Support communication and storytelling efforts that convey OPSE and CDL initiatives to students, faculty, staff, stakeholders, and broader Hawai'i communities.
• Coordinate and maintain research files, archival materials, bibliographies, digital records, and project documentation.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, student employees, consultants, and external partners on interdisciplinary research and communication initiatives.
• Oversee, coordinate, and mentor undergraduate and graduate student employees assisting with research, writing, communications, and documentation efforts.
• Provide editorial review and copy editing support for reports, presentations, websites, grant materials, and other project deliverables.
• Assist with stakeholder engagement activities including workshops, meetings, presentations, exhibitions, and public-facing events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, planning, environmental humanities, English, communications, geography, history, cultural studies, design studies, and three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in research, writing, critical analysis, or public communication; and/or any equivalent combination of education and professional experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
2. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, archival investigation, and synthesis of complex qualitative information.
3. Demonstrated ability to write, edit, organize, and communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively for diverse audiences.
4. Strong proofreading, copy editing, organizational, and editorial skills.
5. Demonstrated interest in the built, cultural, and natural environments and their relationship to planning, design, research, and public engagement.
6. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams and community-facing environments.
7. Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and coordinate student employees or project assistants.
8. Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize tasks, exercise sound judgment, and meet deadlines.
9. Demonstrated proficiency with standard word processing, presentation, and digital communication software.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Experience supporting research, planning, design, or communications initiatives within higher education, public-sector, nonprofit, or community-based environments.
2. Familiarity with Hawai'i’s cultural, environmental, historical, and institutional contexts.
3. Experience preparing written content for websites, exhibitions, publications, or public-facing communication platforms.
4. Experience developing scripts or narrative content for animations, videos, podcasts, or multimedia storytelling efforts.
5. Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, Webflow, digital publishing platforms, or related communication and media tools.
6. Experience working with oral histories, archives, historical collections, or institutional records.
7. Demonstrated ability to work collegially and effectively within small interdisciplinary teams.

To Apply

Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. Applicant must submit the following: (1) resume; (2) cover letter indicating interest in the position and how the minimum and desirable qualifications of the position are met; and (3) the names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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Inquiries

Office of Human Resources - Email:systempo@hawaii.edu

EEO, Clery Act, ADA:

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.

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/