Closing date: 14 October 2025 at 4:30pm GMT

$102,924 to $130,260 per year. Starting salary may be between the minimum and maximum salary offered, based on qualifications.

The Ocean Policy Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and advocacy related to nearshore and offshore issues affecting Hawaii, Native Hawaiians, and Moananuakia. The Director of Ocean Policy is also responsible for overseeing the management responsibilities of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) and promoting effective intergovernmental relations and community partnerships to support collaborative advocacy for cultural and natural resource management across the Hawaiian Islands and in our marine waters.

In addition, the Director of Ocean Policy is also responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Ocean Policy Program and supervising the day-to-day work of assigned public policy advocates. Oversight includes developing staff to enhance the effectiveness of the ocean policy program and developing practices and policies to improve program operations.

Essential functions and responsibilities

1. The Director of Advocacy, who serves as Chief Attorney, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer, assists in developing, prioritizing, and implementing legal and policy strategies to achieve advocacy outcomes that lead to legal precedents, new regulations, policy changes, or changes in laws that achieve systemic changes for the Native Hawaiian people.

2. Monitors policies and programs of government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations that affect ocean policy and ocean resources. Provides analyzes of the impact of near- and offshore ocean policies and the activities of government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations on Native Hawaiian rights, natural and cultural resources and develops appropriate legal, lobbying, and operational strategies to respond to, engage with, and shape these programs and policies.

3. Prepares persuasive written and oral legislative testimony and administrative rulemaking comments as necessary to ensure the protection of the rights and resources of Native Hawaiians. Participates in all state and local operations. It also identifies federal public comment opportunities and prepares responses to relevant proposed rules and executive/administrative documents.

4. Drafts white papers, reports, and outreach materials related to ocean policy and emerging issues in ocean resource management (including social media, opinion pieces, etc.) for policy-focused audiences, in coordination with the Director of Advocacy.

5. Coordinates with the Advocacy Division Director, Compliance Oversight Director, and Public Policy Director to ensure ongoing monitoring of legislative processes, administrative management actions, regulatory notifications, and court actions that may impact OHA’s PMNM and Marine Resource Management responsibilities.

6. Ensures continuous monitoring of political campaigns, platforms and data, particularly in relation to the management of PMNM and marine resources. Provides intelligence on newly elected and appointed officials and other key decision makers new to the public arena.

7. Coordinates with the Director of Advocacy, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive Officer to develop and maintain strong lobbying relationships with legislators, administrative officials, and other officials authorized to oversee and enforce ocean resource management laws and policies affecting Native Hawaiians. Serves as an effective and collaborative community spokesperson on behalf of OHA.

8. Serves as the strategic and operational leader for OHA in fulfilling the duties of co-trustee for PMNM management including implementing effective community engagement and consultation processes to ensure that a broad range of Native Hawaiian perspectives inform OHA’s decision-making regarding PMNM management decisions. Facilitates timely and informed community input on key decisions by developing and implementing standard operating procedures to achieve community engagement goals. PMNM staff meetings and forums.

9. Fully supports the work, language, behaviour, performance, priorities, decisions and directions of the Director of Advocacy, Chief Operating Officer and CEO.

10. Regular daily attendance is required for this position.

Other duties/responsibilities

Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Advocacy, Chief Operating Officer, and CEO.

Minimum qualifications

Education, training and/or experience

1. Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, business administration, marine biology, environmental science, oceanography, or a related field.

In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, four years of specialized work experience may be considered, provided the comprehensive work experience demonstrates the type, quality, scope and responsibility necessary to conclusively demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.

2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in ocean policy, natural resource management, marine or ecosystem research and/or governmental, legislative or legal work with an emphasis on marine, environmental or resource management issues.

3. Two (2) years of supervisory experience that included planning and directing the work of others, assigning and reviewing their work, advising them on difficult problem areas, timing and scheduling their work and training and developing new employees.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

1. You must have a working knowledge of:
• Community development organizations and resource management practices in Hawaii
• Native Hawaiian history and culture, as well as social, cultural, educational, economic, and political issues and trends
• PMNM establishment and management structure
• Current laws and policies for resource management
• Emerging issues in ocean policy, such as deep-sea mining, international fishing regulation, ocean acidification, the spread and control of invasive species, and community-level fisheries regulation

2. You must have general knowledge of:
• Human resources management
• Office management
• Team building techniques
• Data and records management

3. You must have proven skills or ability to:
• Think strategically about broad and long-term goals
• Lead and manage change initiatives through all stages
• Influencing others towards achieving results
• Conduct investigations, prepare legal analyzes and evaluations, and formulate strategies to achieve policy objectives
• Communicate effectively (written and verbally) with senior management, OHA trustees, employees, beneficiaries, government officials and the general public.
• Manage the design and delivery of programs and services
• Understanding of federal and state legislative, regulatory, and court processes related to PMNM and the ability to effectively negotiate these processes
• Communicate and coordinate with key allies and partners

How to apply

To apply for this position, Download, complete and submit the fillable application form With CV and cover letter to:

Office of Hawaiian Affairs
560 Nimitz Highway, Suite 200
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Attn: Human Resources

Or via email: careers@oha.org

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) employees must be permanent residents of Hawaii. Out-of-state applicants offered employment with OHA will need to move to Hawaii and establish permanent residency.

An equal opportunity employer