HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Feb. 26, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the launch of a Federal-to-Municipal Workforce Transition Initiative to address the city’s staffing shortage while also providing opportunities for skilled professionals who may be affected by federal workforce reduction.
This initiative lines up with Gov. Josh Green’s Executive Order No. 25-02, establishing a targeted workforce transition program to support employees seeking employment by the state.
The initiative will have Honolulu actively recruiting displaced federal employees, as well as professionals from non-governmental organizations impacted by federal funding cuts. Many of the affected individuals possess skills that are easily transferrable to Honolulu’s operations, such as law enforcement, infrastructure development and climate resilience.
“The federal government’s shifting priorities have displaced highly skilled professionals, many of whom possess critical expertise that aligns with the city’s needs,” Blangiardi said. “This initative is a win-win–it provides these workers with meaningful employment opportunities while bolstering our city workforce to better serve the people of Oʻahu. By streamlining our hiring process, we are taking decisive action to fill essential positions and strengthen the delivery of services that our residents rely on every day.”
In order to streamline hiring, the city’s Department of Human Resources will implement expedited recruitment measures, including streamlined application and hiring processes, targeted outreach and more.
The mayor also authorized DHR to waive some hiring requirements, as appropriate, for a 12-month period, which the city says will help ensure a more efficient and responsive recruitment process.
The city will be at the following career events:
- WorkHawaii Hiring Event, Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, March 15., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Hawaiʻi Convention Center, April 11, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Hawaiʻi Convention Center, April 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- StarAdvertiser Career Expo, Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, April 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.