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Marine Science Educator
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
Canada · Vancouver, BC, Canada · Vancouver, BC, Canada
CAD 19-22 / hour
Posted on Jul 18, 2025
Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC
Position Type: Casual Position CUPE 401
Reports to: Field Trip Program Coordinator
Hourly Rate:
- Weeks 1-4: training wage of $19-$20 per hour
- Weeks 5+: $21-$22 per hour
Hours Worked: While anticipated to be ~37.5 hours per week during most weeks of the term, hours will fluctuate depending on Field Trip enrollment and operational requirements.
Term One: August 25, 2025, through December 5, 2025
Term Two: January 15, 2026, through May 15th, 2026
** Candidates will initially be selected for the casual term position for Term One and, if successful, will be subsequently offered the recurrent term position of Term Two. Selected candidates for Term Two will be notified by no later than October 15th, 2025.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
About Us
For over 50 years, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) has supported year-round education and research on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. BMSC is owned and managed by a not-for-profit organisation, the Pacific Marine Science Alliance (PMSA), whose members are the University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University and University of Victoria. Our vision is to inspire transformational relationships with the ocean through science.
Our educational programs include short programs for high school students, multi-week courses for undergraduate and graduate credit, and multi-day workshops. Access to pristine coastal waters and forests is a hallmark of BMSC education, and the BMSC maintains a fleet of boats that support ocean access while an amazing seawater delivery system supports the husbandry of animals on the campus. BMSC is an important member of the local community and partnered with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations on several research, education and community initiatives.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Field Trip Coordinator, the Marine Science Educators will have the unique opportunity to obtain vital exposure, experience, and specialised training across a number of areas in the marine and coastal sciences at the BMSC.
The position requires enthusiastic and energetic individuals who are able to lead students through hands-on field and lab activities that cover a fun and diverse range of scientific topics, including marine biodiversity, oceanography, rainforest ecology, and place-based learning in Huu-ay-aht First Nations territory.
These programs are supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Promoscience program, and include supporting extensive experiential, curriculum-based active learning.
Marine Science Educators will help to coordinate and instruct students while teaching labs, piloting vessels, leading walks in the forest, and exploring local beaches. Aspects of this position may be physically rigorous, such as lifting/carrying buckets full of water, hiking, and working for extended periods outside in a rainforest (rainy!) environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Welcome visiting groups to the remote BMSC campus, providing safety orientations, site tours, and general guest support.
- Deliver engaging, hands-on science education for youth in both classroom and outdoor settings, including labs, low-tide beach explorations, plankton tows, rainforest hikes, and guided site tours, while ensuring participant safety.
- Collaborate with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations to respectfully incorporate Nuu-chah-nulth language and Indigenous ecological knowledge into programming.
- Support the care and maintenance of live marine organisms used in educational programming, including daily feeding, habitat upkeep, and health monitoring, in compliance with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards.
- Contribute to ongoing environmental monitoring and biodiversity data collection initiatives in collaboration with research partners such as Ocean Networks Canada.
- Assist with the creation and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field and lab activities.
- Operate small vessels carrying up to 12 passengers, when holding valid SVOP, ROC-M, and SDV-BS marine certifications.
- Assist with the inventory, organization, maintenance, and deployment of shared field gear and equipment.
- Assist with other duties as required to support the education and research programs at BMSC.
Qualifications & Experience
Education
- BSc. or M.Sc. in marine biology, ecology, environmental science, zoology, or a related field.
Skills & Experience
- Experience delivering youth or public education programs (outdoor/environmental or STEM preferred).
- Basic knowledge of marine flora/fauna, intertidal ecosystems, and coastal environments.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for diverse audiences.
- Comfort working outdoors in challenging weather conditions.
- Ability and experience handling marine animals.
- Experience with data collection, field notes, and student science programs, including place-based learning.
- Familiarity with boat operations (especially in coastal waters).
- Technical skills for equipment setup, troubleshooting, and SOP writing.
- Physically able to lift gear, hike in variable terrain, and work in wet/cold environments.
Other Requirements
- Valid driver’s license.
- Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as operational needs dictate.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references to Human Resources via e-mail hr@bamfieldmsc.com. Please submit documents as PDFs and label them clearly with your last name, the position you are applying for, and a short description (e.g., “Lastname_FTP_CoverLetter” or “Lastname_FTP_CV”).
For further information about the BMSC and our research initiatives, please visit our website at [https://bamfieldmsc.com]. We look forward to receiving your application.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
BMSC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
As we are located in a remote area, we understand that additional considerations may be needed during the hiring process. We’re committed to providing accommodations at every stage, in accordance with the British Columbia Employment Standards Act (ESA). If you need any support or adjustments during the process, please reach out to our Human Resources team. All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality.