The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for 4 Marine Science Interpreters to join the Volunteer Engagement team. Marine science interpreter supports 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 75% volunteer supervision/presentations and 25% project/administrative work.
Key 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.
- Supervise interpretive volunteers, including creating engaging daily updates, new volunteer training and co-facilitating continued education opportunities. 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
Required skills and experience
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.
- 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.
