Field Program Lead

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Aquarium

Posted on Dec 22, 2024

JOB POSTING

Field Program Lead

Posted: Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to: Field Outreach Coordinator

Status: Part-time, hourly, temporary position

Hours of work: Varied, totaling between 80-200 hours over an eight-month period, hours are highly variable with some evening work as well as weekday and weekend shifts

Date needed: Mach 2025

Posting expires: When filled, priority given to candidates who apply before January 10.

Position description:

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for 5 Field Program Leads to join the Community Engagement team. Field Program Leads support volunteer naturalists in our place-based Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey field programs. Leads help train volunteer naturalists and supervise them during public programming on local beaches, rivers and other locations from March - October. These programs value the diverse people of our region, including members of the BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disability community, as present and future partners and leaders in ocean conservation.

Field Programs Leads are part of the Seattle Aquarium Community Engagement team which strives to connect all people with the marine environment in support of our mission to inspire conservation. We view our work through an equity lens, with the goal of removing barriers where they exist for members of the community to meaningfully engage with the Aquarium, to foster authentic, mutual relationships between the Aquarium and the community, and to bring diverse audiences together to achieve our mission.

Ideal candidates will have experience working with volunteers either in leadership roles or as volunteers themselves and be skillful at interacting and communicating with the public in a learner-centered, empathetic approach through one-on-one, small family groups or larger group interactions, such as school field trips or summer camp groups. Field Program Leads rely on strong communication skills, interest in marine science and conservation, and the ability to engage diverse audiences. Leads must be organized, self-motivated and able to work independently while supporting teams of volunteers in an outdoor setting. Leads are occasionally called upon to respond to safety situations at their field sites that require quick thinking and strong communication skills with their volunteer teams, program coordinators and the public.

Field Program Leads will attend training sessions, along with volunteer naturalists, in beach biology, salmon and nearshore habitats, and communicating with audiences. This position is an opportunity to learn more about our marine environment, build communication skills and gain experience managing volunteers in an outdoor setting while having fun and learning together.

The Community Engagement team uses a culturally responsive approach to connect with learners’ prior knowledge and experiences. We value and respect the diversity of lived experience that visitors bring to the beach, river or other field sites. We work to create an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone to connect with the marine environment and with one another in service of our mission.

Key functions:

  • Responsible for field shift duties including supervising volunteers, volunteer sign-in/out, managing and transporting supplies, completing required paperwork, engaging the public, and responding to any volunteer and/or visitor issues that arise during the shift.
  • Support field-based volunteers by providing knowledge and resources about intertidal animals, salmon and watersheds, etiquette for gentle beach exploration in support of our mission of conservation and modeling welcoming and respectful interactions with all program visitors.
  • Attend all training dates and public program shifts according to an agreed upon schedule.
  • Supervise volunteers independently at various outdoor locations including Puget Sound beaches, the Cedar River, the Ballard Locks, and at local community events where you will often be the only staff person on duty.
  • Weekly email and phone communication with staff coordinators about program details and during the field season, with volunteers to remind them of shifts, communicate about absences or other issues that arise.
  • Assist in training and supervising field-based volunteers.
  • Meaningfully and respectfully engage beach and salmon program visitors through one-on-one, small family groups or larger group interactions, such as school field trips, summer camp groups and community partner groups.
  • All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Required skills and experience:
The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Experience working as a volunteer and/or working with other volunteers in an education or outreach focused position.
  • First aid and CPR/AED certification; will provide training if the candidate does not already have certification.
  • Washington state driver’s license or other state valid license and good driving record; Must have access to a vehicle for transporting supplies to field locations.
  • Must have access to a cell phone for communication while at field sites.
  • Must have access to a personal computer or tablet and a reliable internet connection.
  • Must have regular access to email and texts.
  • Must be able to participate in virtual meetings/trainings in Zoom using a web cam.
  • Must be able to attend field program trainings and be available for a minimum of eight Beach Naturalist shifts and six Cedar River Salmon Journey shifts. Find training days on attached job description.
  • Interest in, knowledge of, or willingness to learn about the marine environment and the Salish Sea ecosystem.
  • Interest in and demonstrated commitment to environmental justice and desire to serve communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation.
  • Respect for and appreciation of volunteers. Be able to build relationships and establish trust with all volunteers and be willing to teach and be supportive of their abilities.
  • Ability to keep track program schedules and logistics. Attention to detail is critical as logistics and volunteer schedules may vary from site to site and from day to day. .
  • Strong communication skills, ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  • Ability to connect with diverse audiences about marine and wildlife conservation by listening, connecting with learners’ prior knowledge and experiences, and practicing cultural humility and empathy.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.
  • Strong preference will be given for proficiency in a second language: Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Lushootseed, Japanese, Vietnamese, Amharic or Russian preferred.
  • Ability to problem-solve, be nimble in the moment, and work successfully without close supervision.
  • Ability to handle a variety of situations that may arise with volunteers and the public with grace, empathy and above all, a sense of humor.
  • Willing to work varied hours that include weekends, weekdays and evenings.

Working conditions:

  • Regular extended exposure to outside weather conditions
  • Regularly required to lift, carry and move up to 30 pounds at the field sites (e.g. totes of outreach supplies, canopies, sand bags, signage including sandwich board style signs for directing visitors to field programs)
  • Comfortable sitting on the ground, kneeling with small children and walking at least a mile on the beach/uneven surfaces.
  • Job requires time spent in the field (approximately 70%), attending virtual and in-person trainings, and some computer work drafting and sending emails, answering emails, and administrative paperwork (approximately 30%).
  • Flexible schedule required, this position will commonly work weekends and evenings to accommodate field program needs, as well as some weekday shifts.

Salary and benefits: $23.50 per hour. Temporary staff are not eligible for benefits but accrue paid sick time and are paid an additional $0.75/hour to assist with transportation costs.

How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, languages, cultural ways of knowing, and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

SeattleAquarium.org/careers

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.

Note: If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.

About the Seattle Aquarium:

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing an inspiring visitor experience, engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.

Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community, maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 850,000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’re working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building, the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org.

Timeline:

We anticipate the following recruiting schedule for those candidates who are selected for consideration. The following dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will work with candidates to set interview dates. If hired, relocation assistance is not available.

  • Application deadline: Late January 2025
  • Priority given to applications received by January 10
  • Interviews completed by Early February 2025
  • Start date: March 2025