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Education & Outreach Specialist
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Hilo, HI, USA
USD 56k-58k / year
Posted on Jan 29, 2026
Location: Mokupāpapa Discovery Center for the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) in Hilo, HI
Supervisor: Mokupāpapa Discovery Center (MDC) Manager
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
What We Need
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking an Education and Outreach Specialist, who will primarily be responsible for working with the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center (MDC) Education Coordinator to develop and deliver hands-on programming for students and the community at MDC, helping to inspire awareness and connection to Papahānaumokākea National Marine Sanctuary.
This person will collaborate with the Native Hawaiian Program Specialist and support the entire MDC team in integrating Native Hawaiian cultural perspectives into sanctuary programs that address major ecological, biological, geological, historical, and cultural interpretive themes related to Papahānaumokuākea. The Education and Outreach Specialist will also collaborate with the larger Papahānaumokuākea and Pacific Islands Region education teams to build and maintain strategic partnerships in the community through outreach, workshops, and special programs/projects. In addition, they will support facility events and other activities required for the successful operation of a busy discovery center. The person in this position will be an employee of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, supporting the scope of a Cooperative Agreement with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This position will be embedded with staff from Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo, Hawai‘i.
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor varied experiences, perspectives, and identities, and welcome the contributions you can bring to our dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn together and advance our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes for current and future generations.
What You’ll Do
- Coordinate with the MDC Education Coordinator on all education programs, content and activities, and collaborate with the PNMS Native Hawaiian Program Coordinator on cultural content and programs.
- Work with partners to develop and deliver informal interpretive programs to a diverse general public audience. Programs will address major ecological, biological, geological, historical, and cultural interpretive themes identified by PNMS.
- Work closely with teachers, Hawaii DOE administration, charter schools and partners to ensure relevancy, quality and wide distribution of programs.
- Develop and conduct in-house education programs, activities, and events which promote PNMS, including working with students and/or teachers in the field.
- Coordinate with the education team and MDC program/events personnel for use of facilities for lectures, classroom activities and education programs for the general public.
- Assist with opening, closing and daily operations of MDC during normal business hours, Tuesday – Saturday and occasionally at after-hours/weekend events.
- Develop, coordinate and lead teacher and community-based workshops.
- Assist MDC Manager with partnership programs by helping train partners in PNMS interpretive themes and assist with interpretive training for Mokupāpapa staff and volunteers.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of community, social and civic organizations, and businesses to support the monument’s mission.
- Where appropriate work with Native Hawaiian organizations, to provide input into educational activities.
- Assist with the promotion of PNMS at special events. This includes the planning and logistics of these events, setting up, manning of a booth, and running activities with the public.
- Assist with support of partnerships, including (but not limited to) University of Hawaiʻi (UH), Museum Square, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), and other interpretive facilities.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree in related field and working knowledge of marine science, Hawaii’s natural and cultural environment and conservation issues in Hawaiʻi.
- At least three years of experience in providing education and outreach programs on protecting natural and cultural resources and knowledge of the developmental learning stages of children to aid in educational programming and training in curriculum development.
- Experience incorporating Native Hawaiian culture into natural and cultural resource management, outreach, and education programs.
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Ability to work effectively with technology including delivering educational programming through virtual platforms.
- Working knowledge of Hawaiian culture and language.
- Ability to communicate effectively with people with diverse skills and interests.
- Must be able to work with a broad range of people (e.g. teachers, students of all ages, general public, students, community partners, and sanctuary volunteers) and be able to work as part of a team.
- Experience in collaborating with partners and/or communities. Familiarity with governmental and non-governmental organizations on Hawaiʻi.
- Ability to work a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and to work occasionally at after-hours/weekend events.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to travel, including to PNMS, neighboring islands, and other locations as determined by leadership.
Why You Will Love Us
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the-water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies.
- Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
- Generous leave policy
- Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision
- Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service
Compensation and Benefits: $56,000 to $58,000 annually, based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package.
Apply through the Foundation's online portal. A cover letter, resume, and three professional references are required with your application. Applications received by February 11th, 2026 will be preferred.
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.