Assistant Chief Engineer Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $145,260.00 Annually
Location : Island-wide, HI
Job Type: Permanent & Temporary Positions
Job Number: 2026-00116
Department: Public Works
Division: Building
Opening Date: 08/02/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Duties Summary
Assists in directing and coordinating all activities relating to building codes and permits, inspection programs, design and construction of public buildings and facilities, and energy conservation regulations; performs other related duties as required.
There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time island-wide vacancy with the Department of Public Works - Building Division.
The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.
Examples of Duties

• Assists in directing and coordinating the building division's programs and projects relating to building code and permits, inspections, energy conservation, and the design and construction of public buildings and facilities.
• Reviews, formulates, and implements the division's administrative and operating policies and procedures.
• Assists in the preparation, justification, and monitoring of the division's budget.
• Oversees and directs the enforcement of building, plumbing, and electrical codes; conducts classes on the review of codes; meets with staff to resolve issues relating to the application and interpretation of codes.
• Reviews, recommends, and drafts language for new code requirements; assists with and attends public hearings and council meetings to present testimony.
• Conducts meetings with professionals, contractors, developers, and owners to resolve disputes relating to inspections or concerns over the interpretations of code requirements.
• Assists in directing and coordinating the initiation, development, and preparation of preliminary and final plans, specifications, and designs for new municipal buildings, police and fire stations, and public facilities and for maintenance and renovation projects.
• Conducts feasibility studies and prepares cost estimates for the formulation of the public buildings Capital Improvement Program.
• Receives and reviews complaints from the public; conducts field investigations when necessary; prepares response or meets with individuals to resolve issues.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of reports and recommendations for the director on structural conditions of damaged or dilapidated buildings or facilities; supervises the implementation of approved recommendations.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on development proposals from other departments and agencies.
• May assist in the review of residential and commercial plans for compliance with code requirements.
• Signs off on building permits.
• Works with other governmental agencies on code enforcement concerns to ensure public safety.
• Attends conferences and represents the division at council meetings, public hearings, or community organization meetings; conducts classes on codes for special interest groups as requested.
• Acts for the division chief in his absence.
• Operates a vehicle to perform work-related duties.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in civil, structural, electrical or mechanical engineering, or architecture (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• six (6) years of registered professional civil, structural, electrical or mechanical engineering, or architectural work experience, and
• two (2) years' experience which shall have included supervising or coordinating the work of professional engineers or architects engaged in major engineering or architectural projects.

License/Certificate Requirements:

• possession of a valid license as a professional civil, structural, electrical, or mechanical engineer, or as an architect in the United States at time of filing (scan and attach a copy of your valid license to your application), and
• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i Driver's License (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver's license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire).

Note: Possession of a valid license as a professional civil, structural, electrical, or mechanical engineer, or as an architect in the State of Hawai'i is required prior to completion of probation.
Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.)
Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.
Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.
Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.
Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.
Knowledge of: principles and practices of administration; theories and practices of civil engineering and architecture; methods and principles of structural detailing and design; principles of electrical and mechanical engineering as they apply to building design; principles and practices of building construction, inspection, and maintenance; legal requirements of building, plumbing, and electrical codes; methods and practices used in the preparation of specifications, estimates, and contracts; sources of architectural and engineering information; public works programs and financing; public relations; and report writing.
Ability to: plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of professional engineers and technical employees; make sound evaluations, conclusions and recommendations regarding site studies, design problems, and building requirements; conduct feasibility, engineering, and cost studies; oversee the preparation and review of technical drawings, designs, and reports; prepare and justify budget requests; prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence; and deal effectively with other governmental agencies and the public.
Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Light
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.
Supplemental Information
Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
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You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
E-mail:
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County provides a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: Scholarship program for employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning, subject to eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: A federal program forgiving the balance of federal student loans for individuals working in public service. For program requirements and additional information, please visit
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan covered under Section 401(a) of the In