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. 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.

Summary

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.

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.

Compensation Information

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.