Great Lakes Educator

Great Lakes Educator

Inland Seas Education Association seeks an enthusiastic and curious professional to fill the full-time position of Great Lakes Educator. This position delivers education programming on shore and aboard the schooners Inland Seas, Utopia, and Alliance, under the leadership of the Education Coordinator. Programs are primarily based out of Suttons Bay, MI, but also entail traveling to various ports throughout the Great Lakes during the summer. The GL Educator also supports development of ISEA programming, completes tasks that support the education activities of ISEA, and participates in ship operations as needed.

Position benefits include opportunities to travel by sail and live aboard a tall ship schooner, explore streams and watersheds with participants ashore, and develop new programs for ISEA audiences. Come share your passion for the Great Lakes with learners of all ages while you work and play outdoors in, on, and around the beautiful waters of this region!

Previous sailing or boating experience is not necessary, but the candidate should be ready to work on board an operating commercial vessel and outdoors, in various weather conditions (sun, rain, wind), which could include rocking or severe motion while on the water.

Apply for the Great Lakes Educator position through our online application form. If you have any questions regarding the application form or process, please email isea@schoolship.org.

Priority will be given to those who submit their application by Sunday February 5, 2023.

Primary Responsibilities:

Education

• Aboard the ship and on shore, deliver educational units to student, family, and community groups that emphasize hands-on, experiential learning and relate to Great Lakes topics. 
  • As needed, greet and assist group leaders before and after programs, manage volunteer needs during programming, and address any issues that arise on programs throughout the season. 
  • Deliver daily shipboard programs with enthusiasm back-to-back during May/June and September/October to school groups in Suttons Bay, MI.
  • Adapt content delivery alongside ISEA partners at away ports June-August; ability to travel and live aboard a vessel for 1-10 days for program delivery during this time
  • Lead and deliver 3- to 5-day, overnight programs aboard the ship during the summer
• Contribute to the development of ISEA education programming and enhance existing programming.
• Provide support to education programming including: care of aquatic animals in the education center, maintenance of exhibits, data entry, and maintenance of program materials
• Maintain the high quality of ISEA’s educational programs
• As a member of the ISEA team, help to mentor student interns and support volunteers in best educational practices.

Ship Operations

• Direct passengers in safe behavior aboard the ship
• Understand and comply with the ship’s rules, policies, and Standing Orders
• Assist with cleaning, maintenance, and repairs as needed.
• Work as a member of the ISEA team to monitor the equipment and supplies needed for education programs, including inventory, acquisition, maintenance and repair.
• Train to be able to fulfill “Steward” crew level emergency response duties when aboard as Lead Instructor. 

Relationship Management

• Create an open communication environment with staff, volunteers, interns, and students to support the ISEA education objectives and organizational culture

Leadership

• Serve as an ambassador to the community to educate and promote the organization.
• Contribute to an organizational culture that will attract, retain and motivate a diverse staff of quality employees and volunteers. 
• Provide regular performance feedback to supervisor according to established performance objectives.
• Display passion and optimism; inspire respect and trust, provide vision and inspiration to peers.
• Exhibit sound and accurate judgment.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Support other ISEA events and initiatives related to ISEA’s educational mission.

Skills and Prerequisites:

Required

• Strong knowledge of Great Lakes related science and environmental issues
• Experience in museum, science center, or outdoor environmental education
• Ability to work well with youth and adults 
• Enthusiastic about teaching and learning
• Willingness to learn and teach new subject material
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, written and verbal 
• Strong team player
• Ability to lift equipment of 40 lb and haul lines
• Ability to climb up and down ladders (companionways)
• Ability to walk up to 1 mile while leading groups
• Ability to travel and live aboard a vessel 1 – 10 days at a time
• Ability to work weekends and evenings as needed (primarily during June - September)
• Ability to work in turbulent waters and challenging weather conditions
• Not subject to severe motion-sickness

Preferred

• Understanding of the concept of place-based education
• Experience in teaching with an experiential science education emphasis
• Experience aboard education, research, or sail-training vessels

Education:

Required

• Completed or enrolled in college (or equivalent experience) in a related field of study – education, environment, aquatic ecology, etc.

Preferred

• Experience in education, environmental education, science, and/or aquatic ecology

Licenses and Certification

Required

• Valid driver’s license

Preferred

• CPR and First Aid certification (ISEA will provide training for certification if candidate is not already certified)

Location: Suttons Bay, MI

To Apply: Please complete the online application form. Priority will be given to those who submit their application by Sunday February 5, 2023