Organization: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Position: Hospitality Specialist Location: Palmyra Atoll (1,000 miles south of Hawaii) Compensation: Approx. $17.00 – $19.00/hr + Room, Board & Travel Contract: Seasonal Rotation (3 Months) Deployment Window: Rolling Intake for 2026 (Mar-Jun, Jun-Sep, Sep-Dec)
Do you want to trade your commute for a commute across a turquoise lagoon? The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Hospitality Specialist to join the small, dedicated crew at one of the most remote research stations on Earth: Palmyra Atoll.
This is not a resort job. There are no tourists, no cell service, and no room service. You will be living on a tiny speck of land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, supporting world-class scientists who are fighting to save coral reefs.
If you are a chef who can fix a generator (or at least isn’t afraid to try), or a housekeeper who doesn’t mind sharing the sidewalk with land crabs, this is the adventure of a lifetime.
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Background & Location
Palmyra Atoll is a National Wildlife Refuge and a TNC Preserve located 1,000 miles south of Honolulu. It is one of the only places in the world where you can see a marine ecosystem exactly as it was intended to be—teeming with sharks, manta rays, and nesting seabirds.
The TNC Research Station hosts a rotating population of 4–25 people, including scientists from Stanford, Scripps, and NOAA. As the Hospitality Specialist, you are the heart of this community. You ensure the station is clean, the team is fed, and morale remains high despite the isolation and intense tropical heat.
Key Responsibilities
This role is a 50/50 split between Galley Operations (Cooking) and Housekeeping. You must be willing to do both.
- The Galley (Cooking):
- Plan and prepare three high-quality meals a day for 5-25 staff and researchers.
- “Scratch” Cooking: There are no daily deliveries. You must be creative with pantry staples, canned goods, and frozen supplies between infrequent supply planes.
- Manage inventory rigorously (FIFO) to ensure food security for the station.
- Housekeeping & Facilities:
- Deep Cleaning: This is a major part of the job. You will clean communal bathrooms, scrub showers, and turn over cabins for new arrivals.
- Bio-Security: strictly enforce quarantine protocols to prevent invasive species from entering the atoll.
- Maintain the laundry facility and manage station linens.
- Station Life:
- Assist with “All Hands” tasks, such as unloading supply planes, runway maintenance, or emergency drills.
Live & Work in Paradise: Hospitality Specialist (Palmyra Atoll 2026)
Qualifications
We are looking for resilience, versatility, and a lack of ego.
Essential Skills
- Culinary Experience: Proven experience cooking for groups (catering, camps, or remote lodges). You must be able to bake bread, cook vegetarian options, and meal plan for weeks at a time.
- Housekeeping: Professional experience in cleaning or facility upkeep.
- Physical Fitness: Ability to lift 50 lbs, work in high heat and humidity, and ride a bicycle (the primary mode of transport on the island).
- First Aid: Current CPR/First Aid certification is required.
“Island” Mindset
- Mental Toughness: You will be disconnected from the outside world (limited internet, no phone signal) for 3 months.
- Community Focused: You are living with your coworkers 24/7. Conflict resolution skills and a positive attitude are non-negotiable.
Why Apply for This Position
1. A Paid Adventure Unlike many conservation roles, this is a Paid Staff Position (typically starting around $17/hr). In addition to your hourly wage, TNC covers:
- Round-trip flights from Honolulu.
- Housing on the Atoll (Private cabin or shared bunk).
- All meals (you are the chef, after all!).
2. Access to the “Inaccessible” Palmyra is closed to the public. Only staff and researchers are allowed. You will have the chance to snorkel on pristine reefs, see coconut crabs the size of trash cans, and witness nature in its rawest form.
3. Career Credibility Having “Palmyra Atoll” on your resume proves you can handle anything. It is a gold standard for future jobs in Remote Logistics, Ecotourism, or Expedition Support.
Application Tips & Insights
1. Address the “Remote” Reality In your cover letter, give examples of times you have lived in isolation or shared tight quarters. If you have worked at summer camps, on cruise ships, or in Antarctica, mention it prominently.
2. Versatility is Key Do not just talk about your cooking. Emphasize that you are happy to scrub a toilet or sweep a runway. TNC needs “Generalists” who pitch in.
3. Medical Clearance Be aware that if hired, you must pass a rigorous physical exam. The nearest hospital is a 1,000-mile flight away, so good health is a strict safety requirement.
How to Apply
- Visit the Portal: Go to careers.nature.org.
- Search: Use keywords “Palmyra,” “Hospitality,” or “Galley.”
- Job ID: Look for Job ID JR100400 (or similar “Hospitality Specialist” codes).
- Submit: Upload your Resume and a Cover Letter explaining why you want to be isolated for 3 months.
Note: Recruitment is rolling. Even if a specific date isn’t listed, apply now to be in the pool for the next rotation (deployments typically happen in March, June, September, and December).
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