COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST I

June 8, 2026

$5,107.00/month (effective 7/1/26)

Job Type:

Full-Time Temporary
Location:

Hale O Honouliuli 91-2060 Franklin D. Roosevelt Ave. Kapolei HI 96707
Department:

Facility Maintenance
Apply Before:

03/31/2027

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST (CRS) I

This position is under the general supervision and direction of the Branch Chief for the Public Education and Outreach (PEO) Branch within the division consisting of community relations specialists. This position is responsible for the success of a number of routine and recurring public education and outreach functions and programs related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Storm Water Management Program. This shall include assisting with the planning, coordination, research, development, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of various outreach and community relations activities. This position may also involve participating in periodic and temporary cross training and supplementary work exercises and activities in support of other branches within the division to comply with its regulatory obligations of the City's storm water permit. The principal duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

OUTREACH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR GENERAL AND TARGETED AUDIENCES

1. Assists in planning, organizing and participating in multiple routine and recurring outreach activities involving the general public, residents, City agencies, businesses, schools, non-profit and community groups, as part of a comprehensive general public education and outreach program focused on the City's storm water management program, which is a requirement under the City's storm water NPDES permit. This shall include, but not be limited to, conducting and developing surveys and assessments of problem areas, developing community based social marketing campaigns, creating public service announcements, hosting workshops/training sessions, making presentations at community meetings, participating in expos/trade exhibition/symposiums and managing City-sponsored volunteer programs such as, Adopt-A-Stream, Adopt-A-Block, and Storm Drain Stenciling. Works with schools and other stakeholders in the community to build environmental awareness through the implementation of print, audio and video materials, websites, social media, water quality sampling and testing, source and treatment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) and training of all involved parties. Tracking and documenting the public's behavior changes, educational awareness, pollution prevention practices and water quality improvements as it relates to the City's storm water management program. Continuously evaluates and modifies outreach activities and programs to enhance and improves its effectiveness.

2. Assists in planning, organizing and participating in multiple routine and recurring outreach activities involving various targeted audiences such as industrial and commercial businesses (i.e. automotive, restaurants, visitor, and property management), contractors, developers and landscapers, as part of a comprehensive targeted audiences education and outreach program focused on the City's storm water management program, which is a requirement under the City's storm water NPDES permit. This shall include, but not be limited to, conducting and developing surveys and assessments of problem areas/industries, developing community based social marketing campaigns, creating public service announcements, hosting workshops/training sessions, making presentations at community meetings, participating in expos/trade exhibition/symposiums. Tracking and documenting targeted audience's behavior changes, educational awareness, pollution prevention practices and water quality improvements as it relates to the City's storm water management program. Continuously evaluates and modifies outreach activities and programs to enhance and improves its effectiveness.

3. Participates in a technical training and guidance program focused on building capacity and knowledge on the regulatory requirements in support of the branch's programs. Periodically leads training exercises and presents material to various audiences.

4. Participates and is actively engaged in maintaining related databases (i.e. CityWorks, Sharepoint, Access, Excel, etc.) and compliance tracking systems. Researches and summarizes information from various sources and databases including the internet; prepares reports to support other program activities. Coordinates the aggregation, analysis and preparation of any reports, data, charts and other documentation to support the effectiveness and ongoing status of work related activities for the section's respective program utilizing existing databases, word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software.

5. Successfully completes professional development training program(s) and annually reviews, participates and revisits refresher training program(s) to maintain and demonstrate a routine and recurring level of scope, preferably focused on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program, public education and outreach, grant writing, construction, industrial and illicit discharge storm water programs as deemed necessary, at the discretion and approval of the branch.

6. Annually reviews and successfully completes work related training programs to ensure familiarity with practices, procedures, work processes, equipment and techniques, regulations, operations and other aspects related to the City's Storm Water Management Program.

7. Operates a vehicle independently to perform fieldwork and conducts outreach activities related to the general public and targeted audiences, which includes attending trade expos, exhibitions, symposiums, school classrooms, volunteer cleanup events and water quality monitoring events at remote locations and entering secured facilities that may be difficult to access or traverse, as well as encounter rough and hazardous conditions that may require special equipment or proper precautions to ensure the safety of personnel. Requires also transporting various equipment, displays, handout materials and other supplies to support the program's education and outreach activities.

OUTREACH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR SELECTED TARGETED COMMUNITY/WATERSHED BASED AUDIENCES

1. Assists in planning, organizing and participates in multiple routine and recurring education and outreach activities and programs in selected communities, watersheds and targeted industries involving Private and Non-Profit, Community-Based, Federal, State, and City agencies. These include projects related to specific communities and watersheds, focused on stream and watershed restoration, trash reduction measures, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Waste Load Allocation (WLA) compliance, water conservation and erosional area improvements. Assists with organizing and making presentations involving various agencies, stakeholders and community groups to elicit support for the programs.

2. Identifies, researches, applies and assists with administering Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other Local, State and Federal grants funded projects of routine and recurring scope focused on education and outreach related activities towards improving water quality. Responsible for providing assistance with technical support, project management and maintaining stakeholder engagement and participation to ensure completion of grant objectives.

3. Operates a vehicle independently to attend meetings and performs assessments and field reconnaissance work of various watersheds, communities and properties, which includes inspections of construction sites, monitoring remote locations and entering secured facilities that may be difficult to access or encounter rough and hazardous conditions that may require special equipment or proper precautions to ensure the safety of personnel..

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS

1. Assists in receiving and responding to inquiries on allowed discharges to the City's storm drain system, explains roles of City and dischargers and responsibilities to minimize pollutants from entering the storm drain system.

2. Assist and supports all branches within the division to observe storm water personnel performing various NPDES related regulatory inspections, investigations, monitoring and/or sampling as part of gaining knowledge and understanding of the division's internal workflow processes and administration of the City's overall NPDES MS4 Permit Program and Storm Water Asset Management programs. Assists with developing communication strategies. Assists with designing and implementing outreach campaigns in order to educate and increase awareness to improve the overall effectiveness and enact changed behaviors.

3. Provides assistance and guidance to scope and develop various outreach materials and training programs in support of another branch's program to enhance personnel's ability to effectively communicate and increase knowledge and awareness on the regulatory requirements for the various targeted audiences that they encounter.

4. Prepares maps, charts, and other drawings needed for presentations and outreach events and/or activities, as well as other NPDES related reports using various software packages (i.e. GIS, Adobe Photoshop, PowerBI, Excel, etc.)

5. Operates a vehicle independently to attend field site observations, meetings and quality control inspections, monitoring and assessments of various projects, properties and locations, which includes observations of various businesses and active construction sites, monitoring remote locations and entering secured facilities that may be difficult to access or encounter hazardous conditions that may require special equipment or proper precautions to ensure the safety of personnel.

Training and Experience : A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with specialization in psychology, social work, social sciences or a related field.

License Requirement : Possession of an appropriate valid driver's license, as required.

Knowledge of : Principles of interviewing and public relations; report writing; research and statistical methods and techniques.

Ability to : Learn the principles, methods and techniques of case management, counseling, guidance and other assistance services; learn, understand and explain laws, rules and regulations pertaining to community services program and operations; obtain, analyze and evaluate facts; deal effectively with others.

Physical Requirement : Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper for performance of the duties.

BENEFITS:

[Excludes Part-Time and 89-day Contracts]

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Vacation:

Employees may earn up to 21 days per year.

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Sick Leave:

Employees may earn up to 21 days per year.

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Holidays:

13 days a year; 14 days during election years.

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Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and Vision Care:

Various health insurance plans are available.

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Retirement Plan:

The Employees' Retirement System (ERS) of the State of Hawaii administers retirement benefits for State and County employees. Employee contribution required.

To view additional information, please visit our Benefits of City Employment page: https://www.honolulu.gov/hr/benefits.html

* All benefits as stated above, are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or negotiated changes. Individuals are responsible for any related fees or charges that may apply.

At time of application, you must be a citizen, national or permanent resident alien of the United States or a non-citizen eligible under Federal law for unrestricted employment.