MAZIE K. HIRONO

 

Washington, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced two senior members of her Hawaii U.S. Senate staff. Betsy Lin will serve as Chief of Staff and Jadine Nielsen as Acting State Director. Nielsen will also lead the search for a permanent State Director. Hirono today also released formal job descriptions for the State Director, Caseworker and Field Representative positions.

 

“I am excited that these talented individuals have agreed to assist me in service to Hawaii,” said Hirono. “This will be my Senate staff, but I truly see them as the people of Hawaii's. Betsy is a disciplined and organized manager with a history of getting things done on the national stage. Few know the inner-workings of government as well as Jadine, and she will be a tremendous resource in the search for a permanent State Director.”

 

Betsy Lin, Chief of Staff- Lin has a long record of accomplishments on the national political stage. She most recently managed Hirono’s U.S. Senate campaign and previously served as Hirono’s Chief of Staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. Lin also served as a top legislative aide to U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan. She has a long career in electoral politics that included stints as Deputy Political Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and on many political and advocacy campaigns. As Chief of Staff, Lin will manage both Hirono’s Hawaii and Washington, D.C. offices and ensure the Senator’s priorities are being delivered. 

 

Jadine Nielsen, Acting State Director- Few know the inner-workings of government as well as Nielsen. She most recently served as Finance Chair for Hirono’s U.S. Senate campaign and has also served in the Clinton Administration as Presidential Transition Search Manager in the White House, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Small Business Administration and Deputy to the Chairman at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Earlier in her career, Nielsen served as California State Director for U.S. Senator Alan Cranston. She currently serves on the Small Business Administration's Hawaii Small Business Advisory Committee and the Patsy T. Mink Political Action Committee. She also serves on the Comcast NBCUniversal Joint Diversity Council and is a member of the Asian American Diversity Advisory Council. In addition, Nielsen previously served on the Patsy T. Mink Commission, Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women and the Women's Fund of Hawaii. As Acting State Director, Nielsen will oversee hiring of Hawaii staff and will head the search committee for a permanent State Director.

 

State Director Search Committee- Nielsen will lead the committee charged with finding a permanent State Director. She will be joined on the committee by Lin, State Senator Jill Tokuda and Hirono advisors Tim Johns, Bob Toyofuku and Elisa Yadao.

 

Resumes should be sent to senhironojobs@gmail.com by February 15. The state director search committee will make a decision soon after.

 

Below read formal job descriptions for the State Director and Caseworker/Field Representative positions:

 

State Director 

•         The State Director for Senator Mazie K. Hirono will manage the in-state staff operation, represent the Senator at public functions, and possess an awareness of local, state, and national issues.

•         Candidates for the state director position will have been in the public or private sector in a senior position for a minimum of 5 years, and have experience managing a staff of 10 or more.

•         Strong interpersonal skills necessary. Background in public relations a plus.

 

 Oahu Caseworkers/Field Representatives

•         Oahu Caseworkers/Field Representatives will handle casework as well as represent Senator Hirono on Oahu. Candidates should possess an understanding of local issues, be able to aptly represent Senator Hirono’s vision and views and be rooted in the community.

 

Neighbor Island Field Representatives

•         Neighbor Island Field Representative candidates should possess an understanding of local issues, be able to aptly represent Senator Hirono’s vision and views and be rooted in the community.