Shipboard Education Intern

Shipboard Education Intern with Inland Seas Education Association

Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) seeks an enthusiastic individual looking to gain experience with outreach, environmental education, and public-speaking for 2023. The shipboard education intern delivers Great Lakes educational programming aboard traditionally rigged schooners for people of all ages. Most programs are delivered aboard our educational vessels, and include teaching activities that explore Great Lakes topics including: water quality, food web dynamics, invasive species, forage fish, zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, as well as engineering practices and underwater technologies.

Previous sailing experience is not necessary, though most of the work (teaching, interacting with others) will be conducted from aboard the vessels, both dockside and underway. Room and board is optional but included in this internship opportunity. Early career professionals and those wishing to transition into environmental education careers are highly encouraged to apply.
 

Note: ISEA hosts multiple internships concurrently each year (posted at schoolship.org) and several interns work at ISEA throughout the season. This posting describes one 14-week internship position.

Season Details:

Spring (May 1 - June 14): ISEA interns will deliver ISEA “Schoolship” programs based out of Suttons Bay and Traverse City, MI to K-12 school groups. Spring programs occur as 3-hour day-sails, typically 2 per day, Monday through Friday.
Summer (June 15 - August 6): ISEA interns will help deliver custom educational programs to the general public and organized youth groups, with some of these programs taking place at away ports, e.g. in the Straits of Mackinac and in Detroit, MI. Summer programs include 2- and 3-hour day-sails, as well as the opportunity to live aboard the vessels while at away ports, and can include evenings and weekends.

Primary Responsibilities:
Education 

• Aboard the ship and on shore, deliver educational units to students, families, and community groups that emphasize hands-on involvement and relate to Great Lakes topics, including water quality, food web interactions, underwater technologies (ROVs), and maritime culture/history. 
• Provide support to education programming, possibly including but not limited to: management of program equipment and materials, assistance with program survey evaluation, data entry, and producing blog/social media posts about the programs. 
• Represent ISEA, maintaining a positive and professional attitude while interacting with participants and passengers. 

Ship Operations

• Direct passengers in safe behavior aboard the ship at all times.
• Understand and comply with the ship’s rules, policies, and Standing Orders.
• Assist with cleaning, maintenance, and repairs as needed.
   

Note: While living aboard the ship, all persons (ISEA staff, interns, and volunteers) are expected to participate in basic daily chores and tasks related to living and working in a small, shared space. These tasks occur before and/or after the scheduled programs, extending the work day during this time.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Participate in ISEA staff meetings as needed.
• Assist with other activities related to ISEA’s educational mission.

ISEA fosters a community of learning. All seasonal employees & interns are encouraged to take on tasks that will help them reach their education and employment goals.

Eligibility:

• Mature adults 18 years and older;
• Some college-level courses completed, 2+ years of college completed is preferred. 

Skills/Prerequisites:

• Enthusiastic about teaching and learning
• Ability to work well with youth and adults
• Willingness to learn and teach new subject material
• Interest in Great Lakes science and environmental issues
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills—written and verbal
• Strong team player
• Ability to work weekends and evenings as needed (in Summer)

• Ability and willingness to travel and live aboard the ship 1-10 days (in Summer)
• Not subject to severe motion-sickness
• Ability to work in turbulent waters and challenging weather conditions

Term:

May through early-August, flexible end date (approximately 14 weeks)

The ideal candidate would start May 1st, 2023 in order to receive the most training days before our spring programming begins on May 8th, 2023, and continue through the summer season, at least through August 6th, 2023. 

Expectations:

Interns are expected to be available for approximately 40 hours per week for ISEA-related work. In the spring season interns might work closer to 30 hours per week, while in the summer season, especially when working at away ports living aboard the ship, interns might work closer to 50 hours per week. It is important to note that during the summer travel season, neither internet access nor indoor work spaces can be guaranteed. It is recommended that interns plan accordingly and limit any external commitments during this period.

Compensation:

A base stipend of up to $6,720 is available, dependent upon completion of the full 14 weeks.

Room & Board:

On-site, shared dormitory housing is reserved and available for non-local candidates at our Suttons Bay campus. Aboard the ship, it is customary for lunch to be provided on work days, and for all meals to be provided on overnight transits and when working at away ports (summer). When delivering programs outside of the Grand Traverse Bay area, interns are expected to live aboard the schooner in a shared living space with other ISEA staff and volunteers. 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with preference given to those applying by end-of-day February 1st, 2023.

Apply by email with resume and letter of interest:
Jillian Votava, STEM & Internship Coordinator  jvotava@schoolship.org