Personnel Assistant

Join Us!

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is the public transit authority responsible for planning and constructing Skyline, Honolulu’s rail transit system. It is the first fully automated, driverless urban light metro system in the United States and represents the largest public infrastructure project in the history of Hawaii.

Skyline’s route is approximately 19 miles, with 19 stations, along Oahu’s southern coast, and it is being constructed in three segments. The first segment, from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium, is already in revenue service, with the next segments planned to extend service from Middle Street, through downtown Honolulu, to the Civic Center Station.

The Personnel Assistant plays a vital role in supporting HART’s human resources operations.  This position focuses on interpreting policies, overseeing recruitment, processing personnel transactions, and ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering a productive and organized work environment.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Advise administrative and supervisory staff, and other employees, by interpreting and explaining employment policies and collective bargaining agreements. Topics include recruitment, placement, transfer, training, promotion, classification, personal services contracts, leaves of absence (including family leave), health benefits, retirement, payroll, workers’ compensation, work hours, discipline, grievance procedures, and other personnel-related matters.

• • Oversee the recruitment and onboarding process by publishing job openings, processing employment applications, conducting recruitment activities, assessing applicant qualifications, communicate hiring decisions to applicants, and coordinate interviews and new employee orientation, including the preparation of necessary documents.
  • Prepare and/or supervise requests for personnel and payroll transactions such as appointments, transfers, promotions/demotions, reallocations, resignations, leaves of absences, etc., and ensure transactions are complete, accurate, and compliant with Civil Service laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and bargaining unit agreements.
  • Review and approve personnel transactions within HART and coordinate with external agencies such as the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Department of Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS), the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) and Employees’ Retirement System (ERS).
  • Recommend changes to personnel policies and procedures to improve efficiency or compliance with applicable laws and quality assurance requirements.
  • Maintain electronic and hard copy personnel records and manage security-related tasks such preparing employee badges and key fobs.
  • May supervise subordinates and perform other duties, as required.

Minimum Requirements 

• Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from high school and three years public personnel clerical experience.
• Knowledge of: Basic principles and practices of personnel administration, merit system philosophy; civil service laws, rules, and regulations; pertinent provisions of the various collective bargaining contracts; occupations common to government service; personnel transactions and methods of keeping personnel records; office practices and procedures; principles and practices of supervision.
• Ability to: Understand and interpret civil service laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and pertinent provisions of various bargaining unit contracts; lay out work of subordinates; review and evaluate personnel programs and make recommendations for improvement; deal tactfully with employees and the public.

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

As part of the City and County of Honolulu, HART employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Time Off:
  • Vacation: Earn up to 21 days per year.
  • Sick Leave: Earn up to 21 days per year.
  • Holidays: 13 paid holidays annually (14 days during election years).
• Health and Wellness:
  • Medical, dental, prescription drug and vision care plans are available. The City and County of Honolulu subsidizes a portion of the premiums, making health coverage more affordable for employees.
  • Group life insurance at no cost for eligible employees.
• Retirement and Financial Security:
  • Participation in the Employee Retirement System (ERS) of the State of Hawaii (employee contribution required).
  • Deferred compensation plans to invest pre-tax income for retirement.
• Additional Perks:
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits for transportation expenses (e.g., TheBus; vanpool).
  • Direct deposit for paychecks.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and resource referral.

• • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for employees who may qualify for forgiveness of their remaining federal student loan balance. This program supports those dedicated to careers in public service.
  • Professional Development: Access to computer, career, and personal enhancement courses designed to support employee, supervisory, and management development.  Curriculum focuses on professional growth and organizational advancement.

All benefits, as stated above, are subject to eligibility requirements and to legislative and/or negotiated changes.

Work Schedule and Location

• Schedule:  Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts.
• Location:  Work for this position is conducted on-site at HART’s offices, located in Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.  Telecommuting is not currently available for this role.
• HART does not cover relocation costs.  Must be able to reliably commute or relocate by first day of employment.

Salary Range

$52,908 – $78,312 annually commensurate with experience and education.