Hawaiʻi County seeks liaison to connect job seekers with businesses

The County of Hawaiʻi is searching for a liaison to connect people searching for jobs with businesses and organizations in need of workers.

The Department of Research and Development is requesting proposals from applicants interested in serving as the county’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) One-Stop Operator.

When the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) passed in 1998, Hawaiʻi County began overseeing the One-Stop system, which provides a single point of access to employment, training, and education opportunities.

The WIOA replaced the WIA in 2014 to better serve the needs of unemployed or underemployed workers and business owners. This is done through the One-Stop centers, which serve as central hubs for workforce development and bring together employment, training, and support services for job seekers and employers.

Hawaiʻi County’s One-Stop Shop operates through the American Job Center, which is dedicated to providing information on the availability of career services to all who want to enter the workforce.

According to Dennis Lin, deputy director of the Department of Research and Development, the goal of the center is to make services accessible throughout the county, even for those living in remote areas, by utilizing physical locations, outreach, referrals, direct contact and technology.

The American Job Center provides eligible job seekers with training opportunities, including classroom training and on-the-job training, as well as providing employers with information on relevant internships and apprenticeship programs.

The county is in search of the One-Stop Operator—a job that requires coordinating and overseeing services provided through the American Job Center Hawaiʻi and partner organizations. They ensure that these collaborations are done efficiently and in compliance with the WIOA.

“The One-Stop Operator plays a vital role in connecting job seekers with employment opportunities and helping businesses find skilled workers,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We’re looking for a service provider who can collaborate effectively with our Workforce Development Board and partners to strengthen our local economy.”

With Hawaiʻi’s unemployment rate at a steady 3 percent, the future One-Stop Operator will require knowledge and understanding of local needs and resources. According to Lin, they must demonstrate partnership, diplomacy, and an unbiased approach with all partners.

The project is currently supported with $50,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. However, the Department of Research and Development and the Hawaiʻi County Workforce Development Board is developing a contingency plan to address potential funding disruptions to the public workforce system.

Applications for the One-Stop Operator are due by 4 p.m. April 15. Potential applicants must register with Public Purchase, and applications must be downloaded and submitted on Public Purchase.

For more information, email chresdev@hawaiicounty.gov or visit the county’s Department of Research and Development website.