HR Specialist in Wailuku, Hawaii at Pacific Whale Foundation

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

Are you organized, people-focused, and great at follow-through? Join our two-person HR team and help keep things running smoothly for our crew, staff, and managers. The Human Resources Specialist handles day-to-day HR work for PacWhale Eco-Adventures and Pacific Whale Foundation. You will manage hiring, onboarding, benefits, employee records, and HR systems, mainly in Rippling. You will work closely with the HR Director, who handles policy decisions and employee relations.

• Post jobs, schedule interviews, and keep candidates updated.
• Prepare offer letters using approved terms.
• Track each open role and follow up with hiring managers on next steps.
• Coordinate background checks, orientation, and onboarding tasks in Rippling.

• Answer routine questions from employees and managers.
• Process job changes, separations, benefits enrollments, and leave paperwork.
• Work with brokers, carriers, and vendors to solve routine benefits issues.

• Keep employee data accurate in Rippling.
• Monitor alerts and approvals, and fix routine system issues.
• Share employment updates with Payroll and run standard HR reports.

• Track compliance deadlines, training, and review cycles.
• Maintain records for certifications and vessel crew requirements.
• Gather records for audits and required filings.

• Spot recurring problems and suggest practical fixes.
• Help with employee engagement events and HR projects.
  
  

• At least three years of HR experience, such as HR admin, coordination, or operations.
• Hands-on work in hiring, onboarding, benefits, leave, or employee records.

• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail.
• Clear, friendly, and professional written and verbal communication.
• Handles confidential information with care.
• Comfortable with HR software and quick to learn new systems.
• Follows through on tasks until they are done.

• Experience with Rippling or a similar HR system.
• Knowledge of Hawaiʻi employment practices.
• Experience supporting hourly, seasonal, or operations teams.
• HR certification or related education.
  
  

• Office-based role with extended computer use.
• Occasional visits to our harbor, retail, and other work sites.
• Some extra hours may be needed during peak hiring periods; overtime is paid.

• $28.85 to $32.69 per hour, based on experience.
• Overtime pay, as this is an hourly, nonexempt role.
• Medical and dental plan options.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off.
• Employee assistance resources.

Benefits are subject to plan terms and eligibility.

Job offers depend on passing pre-employment checks. Under Hawaiʻi law, we only ask about conviction records after a conditional job offer.

PacWhale Eco-Adventures and Pacific Whale Foundation are equal opportunity employers. We make hiring decisions without unlawful discrimination. If you need an accommodation to apply or interview, please let us know.

This posting describes the general nature of the job. It is not a complete list of duties, and duties may change with business needs.