Science Instructor (seasonal)

AWRI is a multidisciplinary research organization within Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a mission to integrate research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources. AWRI’s outreach program delivers hands-on, investigative education about water to the public, with special emphasis on youth. Our floating learning laboratories and landside programming connect people in West Michigan with local water resources through experiential learning about water chemistry, lake food webs, human impacts on water quality, and more. Participants aboard an educational cruise have an opportunity to serve as freshwater scientists, collecting data and observations about the water bodies they sail through. Since 1986, nearly 200,000 people have experienced hands-on science on Lake Michigan and adjoining waters through these programs. 

Individuals from all backgrounds, including from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates must be able to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Position Summary

• Science Instructors are responsible for conducting educational programs in the outreach program, including seasonal programs aboard the research vessels as well as landside programming and special events.
• The program on the vessels is delivered by two Science Instructors that team-teach. Instructors guide participants through water quality tests and other observations to compare the physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of Lake Michigan and smaller inland lakes. Along the way, the Science Instructors also share place-based information about the history and current conditions of the lakes and their watersheds, as well as related research of AWRI scientists.
• We also offer a land-based complement to the onboard cruises, which engages students in place-based learning on AWRI’s grounds about a variety of related water topics. The landside curriculum includes activities developed by AWRI staff, as well as draws from programs such as Project WET, Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS), Healthy Water Healthy People, and the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program.
• The outreach season is from mid-April through mid-October. Training for the 2026 season commences in mid-March to early April 2026, with programs beginning in mid-April.
• These are part-time, seasonal positions. Work hours will vary depending on the program schedule and instructor preferences. A typical schedule is 2-3 days a week during the spring and fall seasons, with fewer days during the summer. There are generally two cruises per day lasting 2.5 hours each. Typically, programs run during normal business hours on weekdays, with occasional evening and Saturday programs. Instructors cannot work more than 29 hours per week. 

Detailed duties, qualifications, and working conditions are available on GVSU's jobs site: https://gvsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/Muskegon-MI/Science-Instructor---AWRI--Temp-Hourly-_R102315