Naturalist

Pacific Whale Foundation; Lahaina (HI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay with commissions and 5

PTO

Health insurance

401(k)

Free Ecotours

Fun, relaxed environment

Job summary

Pacific Whale Foundation is seeking a Naturalist for a Seasonal Full Time, non-exempt role based on Maui’s harbor locations. The Naturalist educates passengers about Hawaii’s geology, ecology, and culture while ensuring safety and delivering outstanding service on our ecotours.

The ideal candidate is a water person with marine industry experience, strong interpretive skills, and a commitment to regenerative tourism.

Qualifications

• Experience with marine education and interpretation.
• Extensive hands-on experience in the marine industry; boating, ocean recreation, fishing, diving, or tourism in lieu of formal education, strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of marine science and Hawaiian wildlife; may be gained through lived experience, cultural practice, or formal study.
• Familiarity with Native Hawaiian culture, mo'olelo, and place-based knowledge of Maui and its nearshore waters strongly preferred.
• A water person at heart - through surfing, paddling, diving, fishing, sailing, or similar - with genuine day‑to‑day connection to Maui's ocean and a natural excitement to share it with others.
• First Aid/CPR, Lifeguard, Oxygen and AED certifications, Hawaii Food Handlers Certification and Maui Bar Card holder required within 3 months of hire.
• Lifeguarding experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Learn and maintain working knowledge of vessel systems, safety requirements and procedures; participate in vessel drills and comply with our Substance Abuse Policy as required by the USCG.
• Ensure passenger safety through constant situational awareness, lifeguarding and administering appropriate first aid.
• Handle lines, assist with docking, mooring and other essential crew duties.
• Perform daily maintenance/cleaning of vessel as assigned.
• Assist in maintaining vessel supplies and with all food and beverage service.
• Assist in a variety of duties including checking guests in for trips, wrist banding, signing waivers, supply management and collection, laundry, and assisting with reservation questions as needed.
• Ensure each passenger receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every person and exhibiting the utmost professionalism.
• Deliver a place-based interpretive experience that promotes regenerative tourism on Maui, putting marine life and ocean stewardship at the heart of every trip, through high quality structured presentations and teachable moments covering Hawaii's geology, geography, natural history, ecology, and culture.
• Share a genuine passion for Maui and its ocean environment, inspiring passengers to become advocates for protecting this place.
• Conduct community outreach/education/conservation activities as directed by the Vessel Operations and Crew Manager.
• Attend Dry Dock.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Marine education

Interpretation/education

Water sports enthusiast

First Aid/CPR certification

Job description

Are you great with people, passionate about the environment and seeking a relaxed, fun workplace, and wish to be a part of something bigger? We’d love to hear from you at PacWhale Eco-Adventures!

Position

Naturalist, Seasonal Full Time, Non-Exempt

Location

On-site, Ma'alaea Harbor and/or Lahaina Harbor, Maui, HI

Pay

Starting at $16.20/hour based on skills/experience + commissions and tips

What We Offer

• Competitive pay with potential earnings through commission sales and tips
• Comprehensive benefits including PTO, health insurance and 401(k) for eligible employees
• Free Ecotours
• A fun, relaxed environment

Role Overview

The Naturalist reports to the Vessel Operations and Crew Manager and works at the direction of the Captain. This position is responsible for assisting in the safe navigation and proper operation of the vessel, ensuring a safe environment for all passengers, and for educating passengers about Hawaii's geology, geography, natural history, ecology, culture, and all aspects of marine life through a blend of scientific knowledge and place-based, cultural understanding. The Naturalist delivers high-quality service and other crew duties as needed to ensure an outstanding passenger experience. The ideal Naturalist is a true water person with a genuine passion for Maui, someone who shares that connection in a way that makes guests want to protect this place too.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn and maintain working knowledge of vessel systems, safety requirements and procedures; participate in vessel drills and comply with our Substance Abuse Policy as required by the USCG.
• Ensure passenger safety through constant situational awareness, lifeguarding and administering appropriate first aid.
• Handle lines, assist with docking, mooring and other essential crew duties.
• Perform daily maintenance/cleaning of vessel as assigned.
• Assist in maintaining vessel supplies and with all food and beverage service.
• Assist in a variety of duties including checking guests in for trips, wrist banding, signing waivers, supply management and collection, laundry, and assisting with reservation questions as needed.
• Ensure each passenger receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every person and exhibiting the utmost professionalism.
• Deliver a place-based interpretive experience that promotes regenerative tourism on Maui, putting marine life and ocean stewardship at the heart of every trip, through high quality structured presentations and teachable moments covering Hawaii's geology, geography, natural history, ecology, and culture.
• Share a genuine passion for Maui and its ocean environment, inspiring passengers to become advocates for protecting this place.
• Conduct community outreach/education/conservation activities as directed by the Vessel Operations and Crew Manager.
• Attend Dry Dock.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

General Requirements

• Bring a can-do attitude and the flexibility of someone used to adapting to the ocean's conditions, able to shift gears quickly and solve problems on the fly.
• Experience with marine education and interpretation.
• Extensive hands‑on experience in the marine industry; boating, ocean recreation, fishing, diving, or tourism in lieu of formal education, strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of marine science and Hawaiian wildlife; may be gained through lived experience, cultural practice, or formal study.
• Familiarity with Native Hawaiian culture, mo'olelo, and place-based knowledge of Maui and its nearshore waters strongly preferred.
• A water person at heart - through surfing, paddling, diving, fishing, sailing, or similar - with genuine day‑to‑day connection to Maui's ocean and a natural excitement to share it with others.
• First Aid/CPR, Lifeguard, Oxygen and AED certifications, Hawaii Food Handlers Certification and Maui Bar Card holder required within 3 months of hire.
• Lifeguarding experience (preferred).

Physical Requirements

• Strong swimmer, able to free dive to 30'.
• Work long days (12+hours) in hot/humid/wet environment aboard a moving vessel at sea.
• Bend and safely lift up to 35 lbs. to a height for 3 feet and carry 30 feet.
• Team lift (with at least one other person) over 35 lbs.
• Ride on small transport vessel in rough, bumpy seas; climb from small transport vessel onto main vessel in moving seas.
• Stand for extended periods on a moving vessel, with periodic stepping/running/jumping.
• Frequent bending and squatting.
• Climbing and crawling into/within/out of small spaces on the vessel.
• Lifting, carrying, throwing, pulling, coiling, securing lines.

Why Join Us?

This role sits at the heart of our mission "to inspire and advance conservation for whales, dolphins, and the ocean."

Our Core Values Include

Embracing Reciprocal Responsibility (Kuleana)

- We take responsibility for reciprocal interactions with the ocean, the land, the communities, and each other, and hold ourselves accountable for the outcomes of our actions.

Interact with Humility and Compassion (Aloha)

- Through empathy, integrity, and mutual respect, we create and nurture a culture of belonging and collaboration.

Persevere with Wisdom and Creativity ( Ho'omau)

- We persevere with innovation, guided by the pursuit of knowlegde, to uplift our communities and protect the ocean for generations to come.

Pacific Whale Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Pacific Whale Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, arrest and court record, domestic or sexual violence victim status, reproductive health decision‑making, credit history, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace.

If you require reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail] .

All applicants are subject to a background check and pre-employment drug testing and must be able to comply with DOT/USCG random drug testing requirements. Within 30 days of employment, must obtain CPR/First Aid certification, oxygen/AED certification, lifeguard certification, Hawai’i bar card, and TB clearance.