Government Jobs

How to Get a Good Government Job in HI


Interested in getting a government job in Hawaii? With some of the best benefits, job security and potential for advancement in the workforce today it’s no real surprise that many people would like to be employed by the Hawaii government.  

Fortunately for job seekers, there are lots of HI government job opportunities at the city, county and state level. They run from entry level positions to highly specialized jobs that demand years of training and expertise.

Benefits of Government Jobs in Hawaii

One of the most appealing aspects of Hawaii government jobs is the benefits. Pay is usually comparable to averages in an industry, however when you are looking at the extras like health insurance and paid time off government jobs are likely to out-do the private sector alternatives.

Hawaii government job benefits to take into consideration include: 

  • Insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Sick leave
  • Job security
  • Retirement benefits

Even if pay isn’t quite as competitive as working for-profit companies, the benefits are a part of the overall compensation package that you need to be taking into consideration.

Where to Find Hawaii Government Jobs

Despite the recent economic turmoil there are thousands of government job openings waiting to be filled.  You just need to know where to locate them.

There are a number of websites where you can find government job postings and submit an application for them online. USAJOBS.gov is the official website for locating jobs in the federal government and it has helpful information and advice on getting a government job .  If you’re interested in government jobs within Hawaii the Department of Labor sponsor’s the website CareerOneStop.org which provides links to state-specific job sites. These websites will list both state-wide and local positions.

Applying for a Government Job in Hawaii

In numerous ways applying for a government job is the same as applying for any other job. However, there are specific requirements to take into consideration.

Citizenship – Most all government jobs are available only to U.S. citizens. You can find exceptions, and at the federal level there are agencies that will consider non-citizens. There’s a special hiring process for non-residents and employability requirements that must be met.

Background checks – You are likely to have a background check done when trying to get government jobs in HI. It’s not unusual for people in government positions to have access to sensitive information which explains why background and drug tests are typically an integral part of the hiring process.

Qualifications – Pay careful attention to the qualifications section of a job posting. Government jobs can be competitive and the government is only looking for highly qualified individuals. There is what’s known as KSAs which are given during the hiring process for many government jobs. KSA stands for knowledge, skills and abilities.

Age limit – Most government jobs in Hawaii are limited to people 18 years or older.