The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for 4 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.

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.

Required skills and experience:

We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education to meet minimum requirements.

• 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.

Required

• 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
• 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

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/hr, and an additional $1/hour for hours worked between 6pm – 10pm. 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

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.