Workforce Development Specialist

Pacific Whale Foundation & PacWhale Eco-Tours; Wailuku (HI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Free Eco-Tours

Discounted family rates

Job summary

Pacific Whale Foundation & PacWhale Eco-Tours in Maui is seeking a Workforce Development Specialist to lead Ocean Career Quest and related youth programs. You will plan, run, and mentor interns, and partner with schools, employers, and the community to grow Maui's ocean careers.

This full-time exempt role supports education programs like Ocean Camps and Keiki Whale Watch, with hybrid work at our Māʻalaea headquarters and occasional remote days; salary ranges from $60,000 to $65,000 depending on

Qualifications

• 3+ years of teaching, youth development, or career-readiness experience.
• 1–2 years coordinating internships, work-based learning, or career pathway programs.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Ocean Career Quest, including the middle school cohort and high school internship program.
• Design and teach career-readiness lessons on job skills and career paths.
• Help recruit, select, and place high school interns, then supervise them in safe, professional work settings.
• Build relationships with schools, families, mentors, employers, and community partners.
• Track program results and help prepare grant reports.
• Support Ocean Camps, Keiki Whale Watch, outreach events, and shared department duties.

Skills

Teaching

Youth development

Internship coordination

Relationship building

Public speaking

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

About the role:

Position: Workforce Development Specialist, Full Time, Exempt

Location: Hybrid, based at PWF Headquarters in Māʻalaea, Maui, with occasional remote days

Pay: $60,000 to $65,000 a year, based on skills and experience

Role Overview

Help shape Maui’s next generation of ocean professionals. The Workforce Development Specialist leads Pacific Whale Foundation’s youth workforce programs, mainly Ocean Career Quest, our career program for middle school students and high school interns. You’ll plan and run the program, mentor interns, and build partnerships with schools, employers, and the community. You’ll also support our education programs, such as Ocean Camps and Keiki Whale Watch.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Ocean Career Quest, including the middle school cohort and high school internship program
• Design and teach career-readiness lessons on job skills and career paths
• Help recruit, select, and place high school interns, then supervise them in safe, professional work settings
• Build relationships with schools, families, mentors, employers, and community partners
• Track program results and help prepare grant reports
• Support Ocean Camps, Keiki Whale Watch, outreach events, and shared department duties

What You’ll Bring

• At least 3 years of teaching, youth development, or career-readiness experience
• At least 1 to 2 years of experience coordinating internships, work-based learning, or career pathway programs
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills
• Comfort with public speaking and working with youth
• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in Education, Marine or Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Human Resources, or a related field preferred

Bonus Points

• Experience supervising high school interns or managing mentor partnerships
• Grant reporting experience
• Environmental education experience in Hawaiʻi and knowledge of Hawaiian culture and place-based learning

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license (any state), clean driving abstract, and ability to drive a 15-passenger van
• CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding certifications, or ability to obtain them within 3 months of hire
• Ability to pass background checks required to work with minors
• Strong swimmer, comfortable on large vessels, in the ocean, and outdoors in all weather
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Flexibility for early mornings, long days, and weekends during peak season (January through July)

About Pacific Whale Foundation & PacWhale Eco-Tours

Pacific Whale Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to protecting the ocean through science and advocacy. Since 1980, we have made a significant impact on marine environments and wildlife across the Pacific region, including Hawaii, Japan, and Australia. Our mission is to inspire environmental stewardship and promote ocean conservation.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay with potential earnings through commission sales (role dependent)
• Comprehensive benefits including PTO, health insurance, 401(k) with company match, and much more for eligible employees
• Free Eco-Tours and discounted friends & family rates

The pay range for this role is:

60,000 - 65,000 USD per year (Ma'alaea Office)