Job Description

Posting number: 2026-02004

Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Institute for Astronomy

Job classification: ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Education, Community Development, Career Exploration, Program Management

Summary

Title: Program Manager

Position Number: 0077376T

Hiring Unit: Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii

Location: Hilo, HI

Date Posted: September 17, 2026

Closing Date: October 1, 2026

Band: B

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: To begin approximately November 2026. Appointments are annually renewable subject to satisfactory performance, program needs, and continued funding.

Duties and Responsibilities ( * Denotes Essential Functions):

• *Serves as the Institute for Astronomy’s (IfA) Workforce Development (WFD) Coordinator.
• *Develop and implement a comprehensive k-Career workforce development and education plan for STEM and other disciplines in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders at the University of Hawai‘i (UH), University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UHH), Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE), Maunakea Observatories (MKO), community partners, business sector, etc.
• *Establish and maintain relationships with public, private & charter schools, teachers & administrators to plan, develop, and deploy activities encouraging the growth of STEM in local schools and to develop the pipeline of Hawai‘i students into the UH astronomy and observatory related fields, including the UH Space Science & Engineering Initiative (SSEI).
• *Align IfA workforce development with Hawai‘i Work-Based Learning Continuum for Career, College, and Community Readiness, including career awareness activities, career fairs, work-based learning, and other emerging workforce development best practices.
• *Develop new/innovative activities and partnerships on throughout the state with a goal of increasing the impact of the IfA as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning.
• *Lead coordination of signature IfA outreach programs on Hawaii Island including the annual AstroDays. Helps coordinate IfA participation in various IfA programs throughout Hawai‘i.
• Represents IfA in Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee public relations meetings. Assist with online presence of IfA including website and social media.
• *Coordinate and lead Maunakea summit tours for IfA educational and VIP visits.
• *Directs and manages the MKO Internship Coordinator on behalf of IfA, coordinating the placement and management of interns within IfA.
• *Coordinate IfA workforce development activities with UHH and other related facilities across Hawai‘i.
• *Support student research opportunities across IfA as requested by program organizers.
• *Responsible for developing a network within the community to determine workforce development and STEM education opportunities that exist in various organizations and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.
• *Establish and maintain relationships with educational institutions, Hawai’i State agencies, and other organizations to promote WFD and STEM education programs within the Hawai‘i Island community and state.
• *Interface and develop ties to community and government organizations such as Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Hawaii Community Foundation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), etc. Create opportunities for IfA to work with these groups.
• *Build relationships between UHH College of Natural Science programs (Physics and Astronomy, Pre-Engineering), SSEI, and IfA to support recruitment and retention of students into UH astronomy programs.
• *In concert with IfA director, IfA outreach coordinator, and University of Hawai‘i Foundation (UHF), engage in fundraising, grant-seeking, and identifying potential funders & donors.
• Assist with donor website and preparation and submission of proposals.
• *Develop educational and workforce development components for PI grant applications and support execution of program.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in physical or natural sciences, engineering, education or related field and 4 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities in one or more of the all of the following areas: STEM education initiatives, workforce development, partnership development, or fundraising and grant development; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of science education/public outreach as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with science education/public outreach.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends and/or holidays for outreach activities and events.
• Willingness and ability to work at high altitudes (up to14,000 feet).
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner, such as inter-island travel.
• Ability to work directly with scientists and administrators.
• Possession of basic website and social media skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience facilitating and leading discussions with diverse groups to develop workforce initiatives and engage community stakeholders.
• Experience managing statewide projects that includes Neighbor Islands and O‘ahu.
• Knowledge of emergent trends and innovations in workforce development, career and technical education and/or training.
• Understanding of astronomy and observatory workforce needs in Hawai‘i.
• Understanding of the University of Hawaii and its administrative structure and policy.
• Commitment to, knowledge of, and/or experience with the mission and purpose of the University of Hawai'i to position it as a leading indigenous-serving higher education institution.

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;
3. The names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references; and
4. Copies of educational transcripts with CONFIDENTIAL DATA (i.e. social security number, birthdate, etc.) REDACTED.

If requested transcripts are unobtainable by closing date, please indicate so where transcripts are required as an attachment. You will have a grace period of 7 days from the closing date (10/01/2026) to email copies of your transcripts to ifahr@hawaii.edu. Official transcripts will be required if selected to fill the position.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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

Inquiries: Doug Simons, Director of the Institute for Astronomy; dsimons@hawaii.edu

Examples of duties

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/