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Education and Engagement Specialist, KKO


Job Location:

Kailua Kona, HI - USA

Hourly Salary: USD 30 - 34
Posted: 29 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Full-time
Description
Were Hiring!Education and Engagement Specialist KKO
Location of Position: Kailua-Kona Hawaii
Reports to: Director Ke Kai Ola
Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work and Travel:
  • This is a full-time position.
  • Regular onsite work is required.
  • The work schedule is generally eight hours per day Monday through Friday.
  • Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
  • Evening weekend and holiday work is required as job duties demand.
  • Some local travel is required as job duties demand.
Compensation Range: $30.00 - $34.00/hour
Benefits:
  • Holidays
  • Sick Time
  • Vacation
  • Medical Dental and Vision
  • Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
Job Summary:The Education and Engagement Specialist is responsible for coordinating and delivering engaging marine science education programs for diverse audiences ranging from 4th grade students to adult learners. This position uses best-practice instructional approaches to create meaningful learning experiences while providing excellent customer service and ensuring a consistently safe welcoming inclusive and positive learning environment for all participants. Working collaboratively with teams across The Marine Mammal Center and with external stakeholders the Education and Engagement Specialist supports the planning implementation and ongoing improvement of education and engagement programs. Key responsibilities include coordinating program logistics and resources supporting student and educator engagement assisting with program design and evaluation implementing evaluation protocols and maintaining strong relationships with schools educators and community partners.
Essential Functions:Education Program Delivery: 65%
  • Deliver engaging marine science education programs for audiences ranging from 4th grade students to adult learners using best-practice instructional approaches and age-appropriate learning strategies.
  • Coordinate and manage program logistics including scheduling activities preparing materials and supplies setting up learning spaces maintaining participant documentation and tracking and recording program data.
  • Provide a safe welcoming inclusive and positive learning environment for students educators volunteers staff and other program participants.
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with teams across the Center as well as external stakeholders including teachers community members and partner organizations.
  • Respond to program inquiries and participant needs with timely accurate and professional communication escalating questions or concerns to management as appropriate.
  • Follow safety protocols and emergency procedures to support the well-being of education participants volunteers and staff.
  • Document and communicate incidents concerns or program issues to management in a timely and effective manner.
Community Engagement: 20%
  • Coordinate and support community outreach and engagement activities for diverse audiences including youth community groups educational institutions and partners.
  • Plan facilitate and conduct youth site visits presentations and educational experiences that promote understanding of the organizations mission programs and impact.
  • Develop cultivate and maintain positive relationships with community partners and collaborators to strengthen engagement and advance organizational goals.
  • Represent the organization at community events and outreach opportunities serving as a knowledgeable and professional ambassador for the program.
  • Support the planning and implementation of onsite tours special events donor cultivation activities and other community engagement opportunities.
Curriculum Evaluation and Improvement: 10%
  • Identify program gaps emerging needs and opportunities for improvement and recommend and support the development of responsive updates to curriculum resources and program delivery based on current environmental and wildlife issues audience needs and the Centers priorities.
  • Apply innovative teaching strategies and integrate technology and supporting resources to enhance participant learning and engagement.
  • Implement program monitoring and evaluation protocols to assess effectiveness outcomes participant experience and overall program impact.
  • Contribute program content data and insights to support grant proposals reports donor communications and other organizational needs.
Other Duties as Assigned: 5%
  • Support other Ke Kai Ola areas assigned.
  • Perform special projects and research as assigned.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:None
Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
  • Strong passion for marine and environmental conservation and the mission of The Marine Mammal Center.
  • Ability to provide exceptional customer service to a variety of audiences which includes frequent interactions with visitors and volunteers.
  • Knowledge of Marine Science and Ocean Literacy Principles.
  • A desire for continual learning.
  • Understanding of Hawaiian culture and communities in Hawaii are highly desirable.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions and priorities as set by management.
  • Ability to work independently while seeking direction/approval from management to complete projects priorities fulfill commitments and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to gather analyze and interpret data to identify potential problems and offer solutions.
  • Ability to troubleshoot identify improvements and make routine decisions independently.
  • Strong organizational skills including multitasking and time management.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and maintain open professional communication in a team-oriented environment.
  • Ability to adapt and learn from change challenges and feedback.
  • Skills using Microsoft Office applications (Excel Outlook PowerPoint SharePoint Word) and virtual collaboration tools (Asana Slack Teams Zoom).
  • Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while demonstrating self-awareness respect and professionalism.
  • Willingness to support and participate in the Centers diversity equity and inclusion programs.

Qualifications and Experience
  • This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelors degree in education natural sciences or related field; and 3 years of experience working with school groups participating in program design and leading tours of programs. A background in environmental education natural sciences or school environmental experience are all highly desirable.
  • Ability to obtain clearance via livescan fingerprinting for U.S. Department of Justice to work directly with students.
  • Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain standards of insurability. (Must be 21 years old as frequently driving company vehicles is required for this position.)

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
  • This position operates in a professional office and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to various parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.
  • Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.
  • Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time using a computer.
  • Ability to work in an open cubicle office space environment with many distractions.
  • Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements throughout the year.
  • Ability to walk up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.
  • Ability to safely walk on beaches of various terrains to assist with animal rescues in various locations across Hawaii.
  • Ability to spend extended periods on your feet walking standing crouching and climbing stairs (potentially in inclement weather conditions).
  • Ability to work closely with wild animals requires physical strength dexterity and reflexes to keep themselves and other personnel around them safe.
  • Ability to perform physical work which requires manual dexterity agility strength and coordination including the ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to operate equipment safely and competently to carry out their duties.
  • Ability to drive/operate a vehicle for extensive periods of time.
  • Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
  • Exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
  • Involves strong smells associated with dead animals (carcasses) and the care of live animals.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITYThe Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.OUR MISSIONThe Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation research and education.ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTERThe Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue veterinary medicine science and education. For more information please visit our About Us page at To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role. Note that applications without a cover letter will not be your cover letter please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example she/her/hers he/him/his they/them/theirs etc). We strongly encourage people of color lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and non-binary people veterans parents and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process please let us know.
Salary Description
$30.00 - $34.00 / hour

Required Experience:

IC


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The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

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