IT Specialist (API & AI Developer, 0097759T)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : UH System Offices, Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number:
Department: Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges
Division: Academic Affairs
Opening Date: 10/20/2026
Closing Date: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 0097759T
Description
Title: IT Specialist (API & AI Developer)

Position Number: 0097759T

Hiring Unit: Office of the VP for Community Colleges, Academic Affairs

Location: Kahili/Palama

Date Posted: October 20, 2026

Closing Date: November 3, 2026

Band: B

Salary: Salary Schedules and Placement Information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time

Month: 11-Month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: Pending position clearance and availability of funds. Temporary, Special Funds, not-to-exceed 06/30/2027, with the possibility of extension pending position clearance and availability of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities

(**Denotes Essential Functions)

1. **Design, develop, implement, and support innovative technology solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, web and mobile application development, and existing institutional data systems for the UH Community Colleges (UHCC).
2. **Develop applications that incorporate machine learning, generative AI, large language models (LLMs), AI agents, APIs, and other emerging technologies.
3. **Develop AI-enabled applications, intelligent data layers, dynamic dashboards, student and career pathway tools, and other innovative solutions. Develop interfaces on top of existing institutional data to enable users to interact with and derive insights from university information.
4. **Design and develop dynamic dashboards and data-driven applications incorporating AI-generated insights, natural-language interaction, visualization, and other emerging capabilities.
5. **Contribute to the development of AI-enabled career pathways and student success applications, including solutions that connect high school pathways, postsecondary education, credentials, skills, careers, and workforce opportunities.
6. **Query, analyze, transform, and integrate data from institutional databases and other data sources.
7. **Write SQL queries and develop data-access solutions using relational databases such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and/or Microsoft SQL Server.
8. **Develop application back ends, APIs, services, and integrations using emerging and supported technologies.
9. **Develop responsive web interfaces using JavaScript, HTML, PHP, CSS, Bootstrap, and related web technologies.
10. **Develop or contribute to applications designed for mobile devices and mobile-responsive environments.
11. **Integrate third-party APIs, AI services, data services, and other external systems into university applications.
12. **Troubleshoot, optimize, document, and maintain applications and integrations.
13. **Ensure website and content is in compliance with UH web standards, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and for mobile compatibility.
14. **Follows and implements directives and guidance related to best practices from University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Services.
15. **Ensures the consistent adoption, implementation, and enforcement of recommendations issued through University of Hawaii Information Technology Services.
16. **Keeps abreast of recommendations issued through University of Hawaii System Information Technology Service, and takes timely action as need.
17. Stay current with rapidly evolving AI development practices, frameworks, models, APIs, and tools.
18. Assist with ad-hoc technical requests and reports on an as-needed basis.
19. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Possession of a pertinent baccalaureate educational degree in Information & Computer Sciences (ICS), Software Engineering, Data Science or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional information technology experience with responsibilities in application development, including demonstrated experience building web APIs and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) features, of which 2 years of the experience must have been comparable in scope and complexity to the next lower pay band in the University of Hawai'i broadband system; 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 API and AI application development as demonstrated by the broad knowledge and understanding of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving information technology concepts, principles, and methodologies.
3. Considerable working knowledge and understanding of the broad technology, systems, hardware and software associated with API and AI application development.
4. Demonstrated ability to recognize a wide range of intricate problems, use reasoning and logic to determine accurate causes, and apply principles and practices to determine, evaluate, integrate, and implement practical and thorough solutions in an effective and timely manner.
5. Proven ability to comprehend, interpret and implement administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
6. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
7. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
8. If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
9. Strong understanding of IT service management, cybersecurity principles, risk management, and compliance requirements. Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining IT best practices, standards, and governance.
10. Demonstrated programming experience developing secure web applications using HTML, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, and modern web development technologies.
11. Development experience with responsive web design principles, accessibility standards, CSS frameworks, and modern user interface technologies.
12. Demonstrated ability to learn, evaluate, and apply emerging artificial intelligence technologies, including generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and AI-assisted application development.
13. Experience developing, testing, evaluating, and improving AI prompts and workflows, including assessment of AI-generated results for accuracy, bias, privacy, reliability, responsible use, and potential limitations.
14. Experience working with APIs, web services, and data integrations.
15. Functional knowledge of UI/UX design principles, user-centered design, usability, and accessible web application development.
16. Experience working with relational databases including MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and writing SQL queries, designing data structures, and integrating application data.
17. Ability to develop clean, structured and secure code and conduct thorough testing, including secure coding practices, version control, testing methodologies, and code documentation.
18. Ability and aptitude for learning new software programs and applications; outstanding troubleshooting and technical support skills. Ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions with emerging technologies.
19. Ability to install, manage, and update a local development environment and synchronizing multiple environments such as development, test, and production.
20. Ability to work independently, troubleshoot complex technical problems, and take projects from concept through development and implementation.
21. Ability to understand oral and written instructions and documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
22. Functional knowledge of ADA accessibility compliance, web privacy, copyright requirements, cybersecurity practices, and responsible use of emerging technologies.
23. Ability to exercise sound judgment when managing confidential information and institutional data, including compliance with FERPA, university, state and federal governance policies, and responsible AI practices.
24. Ability to work outside normally scheduled work hours including day, night, weekend and/or holiday hours, and attend in-person meetings, as directed.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Experience working with higher education, student information systems, career pathways, or institutional research data.
2. Knowledge of workforce data and labor market information resources such as ONET, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, or Lightcast.
3. Knowledge of API development tools such as Insomnia or Postman, and Swagger/OpenAPI.
4. Knowledge of API authentication methods including OAuth 2.0, API keys, JWT, tokens, and secure credential management.
5. Experience developing applications incorporating generative AI, large language models (LLMs), retrieval augmented generation (RAG), AI agents, or natural language interfaces.
6. Experience working with AI APIs and platforms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, or comparable providers.
7. Experience integrating, transforming, and validating data from multiple institutional, governmental, or enterprise systems using APIs, databases, JSON, XML, CSV, or similar data exchange formats.
8. Proficiency in one or more server-side programming languages such as PHP, Python, JavaScript/Node.js, Java, C#, or similar languages.
9. Experience implementing secure AI solutions including data privacy controls, protection of sensitive information, prompt security, access controls, and secure handling of institutional data.

To Apply

Click on the "Apply" button to complete an application and attach the following required documents:

1. Cover letter indicating how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications of the position;
2. Resume;
3. Name and contact information (telephone number and email address) of at least three (3) professional references; and
4. Graduate and undergraduate academic transcript(s) showing name of institution, degree and coursework to date appropriate to the position. (Copies are acceptable, but original official transcripts will be required at the time of hire). Applications lacking copies of transcripts will be reviewed based on work experience equivalency to meet minimum qualifications. Transcripts issued outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.

Late, incomplete or unreadable application materials will not be considered. Academic record/grade summaries will not be accepted. Diplomas and copies will NOT be accepted. Please REDACT references to social security numbers and birth date on submitted documents.
NOTE: Please create a new account if this is your first time applying for a position using NeoGov.
Inquiries
Community Colleges Human Resources Office, cchro@hawaii.edu