Editor (Science Communications Officer) (0097557T, CTAHR/Comms)

Description

Title: Editor (Science Communications Officer)

Position Number: 0097557T

Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), COMMUNICATION SERVICES

Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI

Date Posted: April 7, 2026

Closing Date: April 17, 2026, 11:59PM HST

Band: B

Salary : salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: This position is subject to availability of funding and renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or availability of funding. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by April 17, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee. Please see application instructions.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. *Provides staff support in the following field of assignment or subject matter areas: writing, editing, and technical review process for all Cooperative Extension papers and academic research publications; translates highly technical research into accessible narratives for diverse, non-scientific audiences.
2. *Ensure all publications adhere to CTAHR and UH Manoa branding guidelines, editorial standards, and accessibility requirements.
3. *Serve as a primary point of contact for Extension agents and faculty, advising them on the most effective communication formats for their research.
4. *Work with Office of Community Engagement and Communications (OCEC) manager to develop and implement a content strategy and regular content management for the CTAHR Cooperative Extension website.
5. Help organize and implement CTAHR events, in coordination with other CTAHR staff, which may require working outside of normally scheduled work hours including day, night, weekend and/or holidays as directed.
6. *Collaborate with the OCEC manager to develop and implement outreach strategies that promote CTAHR Extension's programs and impact.
7. *Identify and write compelling "impact stories" and news features that highlight the real-world benefits of CTAHR research for Hawaii's community.
8. *Provides staff support in the following field of assignment or subject matter areas: editing of CTAHR publications and articles for print and online.
9. *Monitors editing workflow from onset to completion; coordinates and initiates expediting actions.
10. *Develops or improves editing process to improve speed and accuracy while minimizing errors.
11. Advises supervisor of the progress of projects and anticipated problems
12. Receives training relative to current communications tactics and strategies.
13. Conceives, plans, and directs tasks to produce or to support CTAHR Cooperative Extension.
14. Updates technical skills by attending seminars, classes, and industry conferences.
15. Work with CTAHR and UH teams that may include other units such as ITS, marketing and colleges and schools.
16. *Lead analysis of user experience and web traffic and other online metrics to make sure the Cooperative Extension is engaging with its intended audiences.
17. Assist as Graphic Artist when requested for CTAHR-related projects and products.
18. Will be supervised by the Director of the CTAHR OCEC, while working closely to meet the organizational objectives of the Associate Dean and Associate Director for Cooperative Extension.
19. Other duties as assigned.

*Denotes essential functions of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Agricultural Communications or related field or three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with for editing and writing in an academic, research, or scientific publishing environment; 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 area of editorial background, including experience with substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, and working with authors to refine complex content 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 editing and writing in an academic, research, or scientific publishing environment.
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, and Content Management Systems (CMS), Desktop publishing software (such as Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Indesign), Web page creation and editing software (such as Canva), and basic graphic design software.
8. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
9. Experience with Web publishing software and familiarity with desktop publishing.
10. Experience in managing projects that require inter-unit cooperation.
11. Demonstrated ability to work effectively under tight deadlines.
12. Demonstrated ability to learn, understand and implement new web-based information technologies.
13. Demonstrated ability to create and translate content into web-usable form and to create web interfaces that present information in an organized and easily used way.
14. Thorough knowledge of desktop publishing and image manipulation software per current industry standard.
15. Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with communications.
16. Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
17. Ability to work outside of normally scheduled work hours including day, night, weekend and/or holidays as directed.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Familiarity with the University of Hawaii and/or other land-grant university organizational structure and mission.
2. Be able to act as an ambassador on behalf of UH Manoa CTAHR Cooperative Extension and the Office of Cooperative Extension.
3. Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS), Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Indesign, Canva and basic graphic design software.

TO APPLY: Click in the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the required documents. If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

1. Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and some, if not all, desirable qualifications;
2. Resume/Curriculum vitae (CV);
3. Names of three (3) professional references (contact information including email address); and
4. Official transcripts or original documentation from the institution confirming the degree (copies acceptable; however, official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution are required upon hire).
   • Any confidential data should be redacted (e.g. social security number, date of birth, etc).
   • Diplomas will not be accepted.

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Inquiries: Patrick Williams, pbw@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.

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/

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• Yes, I acknowledge that incomplete applications will not be referred or reviewed by the hiring committee.

Required Question