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Marine Science Interpreter - PT
Seattle Aquarium
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at Seattle Aquarium.See open jobs similar to "Marine Science Interpreter - PT" Schmidt Marine.USD 24.97-24.97 / hour
Posted on Feb 4, 2026
Job Posting
Part-time Marine Science Interpreter
Department: Visitor Engagement
Reports to: Interpretation Supervisor
Status: Part-time, hourly, benefited position
Hours of Work: The Visitor Engagement team provides coverage 7 days per week, 365 days a year. This position will work Friday - Monday with hours that normally fall between 8am–7pm. Daily shifts vary in start and stop times, and include weekends and holidays. Occasional need for after-hours work as related to events and other projects.
Position Overview
The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is seeking a part-time Marine Science Interpreter to join the Visitor Engagement team. Marine science interpreters support daily operations for our Visitor Engagement (VE) team. VE staff are ambassadors for our guests from around the world, helping bring our exhibit floor to life for all. Daily responsibilities include interpreting Aquarium habitats, supervising volunteers, maintaining supplies, and assisting with training of new staff and volunteers.
Total allocation of job responsibilities includes approximately 60% volunteer supervision, 25% presentations and 15% project work/administrative work/meetings/training.
Essential Functions
- Anticipate needs of visitors and volunteers, addressing barriers to participation for BIPOC, LGBTQ and disability communities in an effort to create an inclusive community. Maintain an awareness of self, co-workers, volunteers, and guests in order to help and enhance our guests’ experience.
- Support interpretive volunteer engagement including creating daily updates, providing supervision on the floor, and co-facilitating new volunteer training and continued education opportunities.
- Prepare and deliver formal interpretive presentations and hands-on activities to guests and school/tour groups; adapt communication style to meet guests’ varying needs and interests. This includes interacting with guests at interpretation carts and outdoor habitats.
- Support special event and evening event programming (on site and virtual).
- As part of the VE team, coordinate and communicate openly with coworkers from all Aquarium departments.
- Contribute to maintenance and organization of supplies, props, and exhibits, and participate in regular meetings & program focus groups as needed.
- 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 Mission and SALISH Values.
- Demonstrate flexibility and ability to cover shifts and assignments for others when they are out unexpectedly.
- Other duties as assigned.
Organizational Values & Culture
- 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.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education to meet minimum requirements.
- Experience with non-formal, learner-led education programs with community members. This can be through paid or volunteer experience.
- Experience working with a public audience such as school or tour groups.
- Experience working with and training staff and volunteers.
- Ability to assess priorities in a rapidly changing work environment - shifting gears comfortably or when needed - to make decisions and act without having the total picture.
- Ability to adapt communication and teaching style to meet varying needs and interests of guests, including to speak with and direct large groups. Multilingual and multicultural communication skills and experience are preferred.
- Consistently and proactively communicate, track, and organize work to keep self on track and others informed.
- Familiarity with MS Office programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams. Familiarity with, or ability to learn volunteer databases (Better Impact).
- Able to learn and convey information about marine science and conservation to the public with flexibility, strong listening skills, and respect for learners’ prior knowledge and experiences.
- First aid and CPR certifications by time of hire.
Working Conditions:
- A flexible schedule is required; must be willing to work during the day, evenings, weekends, and holidays based on trainings, events and seasonal programming. Be able to adjust when last minute schedule changes occur.
- Ability to be active on the exhibit floor for periods of up to eight hours.
- Job requires time spent in the office, exhibits and service areas.
- Job requires working outdoors in all weather conditions and terrain. This includes exposure to elements as employees are located in campus environment with multiple buildings, outdoor and semi-covered areas.
Salary and benefits:
$24.97/hour. Part-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, and a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership.
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.
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 team increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing excellent care and wellbeing for over 5,000 animals to create an inspiring visitor experience, offer 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 1 million people each year guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org.
This job is no longer accepting applications
See open jobs at Seattle Aquarium.See open jobs similar to "Marine Science Interpreter - PT" Schmidt Marine.