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Marine Science Instructor
USD 22-22 / hour
Posted on Aug 22, 2026
Job Posting
Marine Science Instructor
Department: School and Public Programs (SPP)
Reports to: School and Public Programs Coordinator
Status: Part-time, hourly, seasonal position
Hours of Work: Variable schedule of up to 20 hours per week, typically between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Hours will vary depending on scheduled programming, events, and coverage needs.
Dates Needed: Oct 2026 to June 2027; training scheduled for the week of October 5th
Position Overview
The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is seeking two Marine Science Instructors (MSI) to join the School and Public Programs (SPP) team. MSIs work with a professional team of marine educators under the guidance of the School Programs Coordinator, Public Programs Coordinator, and the SPP Manager to provide in-depth informal science programs serving preK-12 students, teachers, families, community groups, and lifelong learners. The primary programs during the school season are on-site school programs and Toddler Time. Duties include instructing a diverse group of students and families in varied topics related to marine sciences and One World Ocean conservation at the Seattle Aquarium.
Ideal candidates will bring the following to our team of professional educators: enthusiasm for marine science and education, an ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, strong communication abilities in informal science education, and excellent interpersonal skills for working with teachers, students, and the general public. MSIs must work closely with the rest of the Conservation Engagement and Learning (CEaL) team to ensure that programming goals are met in an equitable and inclusive way. We view this 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. This work supports our Strategic Planning goal of inspiring conservation and making the Aquarium and its programs accessible and welcoming to all. This role is instrumental to the Seattle Aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment.
Essential Functions
Program Delivery (60%)
- Responsible for the daily instruction of programs for a diverse audience, including PreK to high school students and families (primarily on-site school classes and Toddler Time). Work with the School and Public Programs (SPP) team and other staff to ensure that the highest level of programming is consistently delivered to our audience.
- Support other educators in programs for students and their caregivers. Set-up and breakdown classroom, facilitate stations, provide constructive feedback.
- Apply empathy-based interpretation techniques in program delivery.
- Be trained on animal handling, utilizing classroom intertidal animals in programs. Model respectful interactions for all program participants.
- Ensure safety of classroom animals in programs by following animal handling protocols.
- Anticipate needs of program participants, 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 visitors in order to help and enhance our audience’s experience.
Program Support (20%)
- Work with the SPP team to provide feedback on programs to improve the experience for guests.
- Perform other related tasks as assigned, such as inventorying materials and supplies, printing, assembling program kits, and program feedback.
- Other tasks under the supervision of SPP Coordinators, such as maintenance and organization of supplies, participation in regular meetings, & program focus groups as needed.
- Support the SPP team to update and develop programming.
General Wellbeing (20%)
- Take time for collaboration, planning/preparing for programs, and creative thinking.
- Intentionally pause to evaluate sustainability of individual workload; Create space for regular reflection of program delivery and effectiveness.
- Foster an environment where team members’ overall wellbeing is supported. Prioritize ensuring psychological safety and practicing emotional intelligence in communications. Ensure self-learning on these topics.
- 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 as appropriate to the level and scope of the role
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Interest and knowledge in marine science and conservation.
- Familiarity with school standards and child development milestones
- Comfort with Social Emotional Learning (SEL), environmental justice, social justice, and variety of science topics
- Interest in equity, inclusion, and diversity
- Strong presentation skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting
- Multilingual and multicultural communication skills and experience are preferred
- Familiarity with and ability to use Microsoft Office software applications for communication, reading program documents, etc.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.
- Ability to problem-solve, be nimble in the moment, and work successfully without close supervision.
Minimum Requirements: 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.
- Strong presentation skills
- Experience working in an education or outreach focused position.
- Experience with non-formal, learner-led education programs (through paid or volunteer experience)
- Understanding of environmental education, wildlife conservation, marine sciences, educational pedagogy, learning psychology, and/or child development
- First aid and CPR certifications required (can be certified by date of hire).
Working Conditions:
- Majority of work is performed in program spaces such as classrooms.
- Administrative work will happen on shared computer stations.
- Regularly required to lift, carry and move up to 30 pounds (e.g. bins or supplies, classroom animal holding vessels, tables, chairs). Carts are used regularly and lifting is only needed for short distances.
- Heavy to moderate vocal demands to project talks and announcements and to direct an audience in loud areas.
- Some exposure to elements as employees are located in campus environment with multiple buildings, outdoor, and semi-covered areas. Some programs include outdoor experiences.
- Ability to perform light physical activity including occasional extended periods of time spent sitting, walking and standing.
- If someone has a valid Washington State driver’s license this position may be approved to occasionally drive Aquarium fleet vehicles
Salary and benefits:
$22/hr. Seasonal 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.
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.