Developing a professional career within the federal government while continuing to serve in the armed forces offers a unique intersection of patriotism, technical development, and career security. The Hawaii Army National Guard is offering a premier opportunity for a talented educational strategist and administrator to join their team as a Training Administrator in Kapolei, Hawaii. Working within the Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) G-3 division, this position is crucial to ensuring that our military forces are ready to respond to both domestic emergencies and international deployments.

The civilian education landscape in the military is rapidly evolving. Traditional classroom settings have expanded to incorporate highly specialized, technology-driven learning solutions. The selected candidate for this role will directly oversee, budget, and design the state's Distributed Learning Program (DLP). In doing so, you will directly impact the professional advancement and mission readiness of local soldiers. If you possess a background in instruction, educational technology, or training program management, and are ready to contribute to Hawaii's national defense architecture, this role represents a remarkable step forward in your professional path.

About the Agency: Hawaii Army National Guard

The National Guard is the oldest component of the United States Armed Forces, possessing a legacy that stretches back to colonial militias organized for regional defense. Today, the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) carries on this proud tradition by operating a dual-mission mandate. Locally, the HIARNG assists state authorities during natural disasters—such as volcanic activity, hurricanes, and floods—providing critical search, rescue, and humanitarian relief. Nationally, the agency acts as a reserve force for the United States Army, mobilizing to safeguard global security and defend federal interests.

The JFHQ G-3 Division serves as the central hub for plans, operations, and training management across the Hawaii National Guard. Located in the vibrant community of Kapolei on the island of Oahu, the G-3 Division provides the strategic vision, policies, and resourcing necessary to prepare individual soldiers and larger military units for operational deployments. Working here puts you at the absolute core of Hawaii's defense infrastructure, collaborating daily with senior leadership, state comptrollers, and federal program managers.

Job Responsibilities: Leading the Distributed Learning Program

As a Training Administrator, your primary purpose is to formulate, implement, manage, and sustain the Hawaii National Guard's Distributed Learning Program (DLP). The goal of this program is to fulfill training readiness objectives set by the state's Adjutant General (TAG). By integrating modern technology with rigorous academic principles, you will structure programs that help personnel advance both their military careers and personal development.

Your daily responsibilities will span across multiple complex domains:

1. Strategic Program Planning: You will translate broad organizational goals set by the Adjutant General into concrete, actionable, and measurable educational outcomes. This requires staying ahead of changes in educational software, telecommunications platforms, and military instruction guidelines.
2. Budgeting and Financial Administration: You will plan and manage the DLP budget, coordinating with the United States Property & Fiscal Officer (USPFO), the Grant Office Representative (GOR), and state comptrollers. You will design, establish, and monitor cooperative agreements and inter-agency pacts, ensuring that program funding flows transparently and legally.
3. Training Delivery and Mobilization Support: A key component of this role is delivering readiness and both pre- and post-mobilization training (PPMT) to Soldiers. You will work closely with units to verify that individuals are mentally and logistically prepared for upcoming mobilizations.
4. Inter-Agency & Regional Representation: You will serve as Hawaii's representative on the regional Distributed Learning Advisory Committee (DLAC). Additionally, you will build strategic partnerships with private industry experts, academic institutions, business leaders, and local government officials to integrate best practices in multimedia training systems.
5. Technical Guidance: You will provide technical support, curriculum oversight, and operational guidance to local learning site administrators across the islands, maintaining system integrity and accessibility.

Key Position Requirements

Because this is a Title 32 Excepted Service Dual-Status Technician role, candidates must satisfy both unique military and civilian criteria. This means you must maintain active membership in a compatible unit within the Hawaii Army National Guard to hold the job.

The core requirements include:

• Military Compatibility: You must be assigned to an appropriate military position within the Hawaii Army National Guard. Your military rank must remain compatible with your civilian supervisor; rank inversion (where you outrank your full-time supervisor in your military capacity) is strictly prohibited.
• Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level. This experience must show your practical knowledge of adult education, instructional methodologies, program evaluation, or course design. Qualified backgrounds include supervising corporate training programs, administering secondary or collegiate-level curricula, instructing in military installations, or designing modern e-learning packages.
• Educational Substitution: You may substitute or supplement experience with graduate or undergraduate level study focusing heavily on education or a field directly aligned with training administration. You must provide official or unofficial transcripts to verify your educational claims.
• Security Clearance: The position requires a Secret security clearance. If you do not currently hold one, you must demonstrate the ability to successfully obtain it within one year of your official appointment.
• Background Check and Medical Screening: A pre-employment drug screening is mandatory, along with standard background suitability reviews.
• Driver's License: A valid state driver's license is mandatory for positions involving motor vehicle operation.

Salary Overview and Compensation Structure

The Training Administrator position is classified at the GS-11 equivalent pay scale, offering a competitive compensation package designed to attract top-tier educational administrators.

• Salary Range: $77,964 to $101,359 annually.
• Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): Because the position is based on the island of Oahu, employees will receive a Cost of Living Allowance. It is important to note that COLA rates fluctuate based on federal calculations and differ across the Hawaiian islands.
• Relocation Expenses (PCS): Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses may be authorized, but only if the Hawaii National Guard determines that such payment is in the best interest of the government.

To help clarify how this specialized position compares to standard civilian federal jobs, consider the following structural breakdown:

Feature	Title 32 Dual-Status Technician	Standard Title 5 Civil Service
Active Military Requirement	Yes (Hawaii National Guard)	No
Bargaining Unit Status	Typically Non-Bargaining	Often Bargaining Unit Eligible
Rank Inversion Rules	Prohibited	Not Applicable
Retirement & Healthcare	Eligible (FERS, FEHB)	Eligible (FERS, FEHB)
Telework Eligibility	Yes (Subject to policy)	Yes (Subject to policy)

Federal Benefits Package

Working as a federal employee under the Hawaii Army National Guard grants you access to an exceptional, comprehensive benefits package. These resources are structured to support your physical, financial, and personal well-being:

• Retirement Planning: Full coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a defined benefit pension plan, Social Security contributions, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with generous government matching contributions up to 5%.
• Healthcare Options: Access to a wide range of plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, alongside dental and vision packages.
• Life Insurance: Participation in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program.
• Leave Policies: Earned annual and sick leave, plus coverage for federal holidays.
• Professional Development: To prepare you for success, you may be scheduled to attend specialized administrative and pedagogical training at the National Guard Bureau's Professional Education Center (PEC) within your first six months of employment.

Application Tips for Success

Securing a federal position requires meticulous attention to detail during the application phase. Use these professional strategies to maximize your chances of success:

1. Optimize Your Resume Structure: Unlike corporate resumes, federal resumes must be highly detailed. Explicitly include your military unit, current rank, and military occupational specialty (MOS). For every job entry, state the exact beginning and ending dates (month/year), your average hours worked per week, and your civilian grade if applicable.
2. Explicitly Detail Specialized Experience: Do not assume the HR reviewer knows your day-to-day duties. Describe in clear, detailed paragraphs how you managed training programs, developed instructional media, or conducted adult education. Your resume must clearly prove you have operated at the GS-09 level for at least 12 months.
3. Submit All Required Documents: Missing transcripts (if qualifying via education), incomplete performance appraisals, or a failure to finish the online Occupational Questionnaire will lead to immediate disqualification.
4. Integrate Volunteer History: Include any relevant unpaid experience. Volunteer service through community, religious, student, or national service initiatives (like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps) provides valuable evidence of your organizational and leadership capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I apply if I am not currently in the Hawaii National Guard? A: Since this is a Title 32 Dual-Status position, you must be a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard or be willing and eligible to join upon selection. You must meet all compatible military assignment criteria prior to placement.

Q: What happens if I do not complete the required training at the Professional Education Center (PEC)? A: Selected candidates are expected to attend and complete prescribed training at the Professional Education Center within their first year of employment. Unless extenuating circumstances arise, failure to complete these programs may result in administrative reassignment or termination of employment.

Q: Is this a permanent position? A: Current permanent Title 32 Technicians will occupy this role on a temporary promotion basis (year-to-year, not to exceed five years). New hires may be appointed on an indefinite tenure basis. Indefinite appointments do not serve a trial period and may be separated if funding changes, though they remain eligible for full federal retirement and health benefits.

Q: How will my application be evaluated? A: Once the application window closes, HR will review your resume and supporting files. If you meet basic qualifications, your experience will be evaluated against your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. The highest-ranked applicants will be referred to the G-3 Selecting Official for interview consideration.

The role of a Training Administrator with the Hawaii Army National Guard represents more than a stable career; it is an opportunity to directly shape the readiness, capabilities, and professional trajectories of Hawaii's dedicated citizen-soldiers. Combining educational technology, program management, and national security, this role is perfect for a mission-minded professional looking to work in Kapolei. Submit your application package before the closing date on September 9, 2026, to take your place in this proud, service-driven organization.