Details below. Also check out this job here: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/document.doc?id=2373

JOB POSTING

Community outreach coordinator

Posted:                       Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to:                 Community engagement and inclusion manager

Status:                        Full-time, exempt/salaried, benefitted position

Hours of work:          Variable based on programming, often Monday through Friday, typical office hours with regular flexibility required to implement weekend or evening programs as needed, 1–2 weekends per month, depending on the season.

Date needed:             Within 2–3 weeks of offer

Posting expires:        Open until filled

About the Seattle Aquarium: The Seattle Aquarium is owned by the City of Seattle and under nonprofit management. The Aquarium currently serves over 825,000 visitors and 40,000 schoolchildren and their teachers annually. Guided by its mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, the Seattle Aquarium has a realistic plan for phased growth based on record-setting attendance, membership and fundraising growth, an energized board of directors and professional management. The current annual budget is $17 million.

Position description:

The community engagement coordinator is responsible for building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships with community-based organizations by connecting them with the Aquarium’s watershed-based field experiences and by working with Aquarium colleagues to ensure we are offering culturally responsive, high-quality programs that fit our partners’ needs.

The Aquarium runs two well-established and successful field outreach programs offered to the public free of charge: beach naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey. We engage with the community through our Aquarium Connections program, which is open to service-based nonprofit or governmental organizations that support families with low incomes, communities of color, immigrant and refugee communities, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, the deaf community, people who are blind and others. This position will be responsible for deepening our engagement with existing and new Aquarium Connections partners through the beach naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey programs. This position will also play a key role in the growth of the programs and the development of new community-based and co-created field conservation programs. This position will focus on outreach, relationship-building and the development of new programming with our partner organizations, and will do some program delivery.

The ideal candidate will have three years cumulative experience working or volunteering in an aquarium, zoo, environmental education/restoration agency, nature center, camp, community organizing or similar institution. Also, they will have one year experience doing outreach to diverse communities, community organizing or similar activities. Candidates must have strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. They should be enthusiastic with a skill for networking, developing relationships and building strong ties in the community.

Essential functions:

• Build positive, authentic, mutually beneficial relationships with community-based organizations by connecting them with our field outreach programs, especially organizations representing marginalized communities who live and work in the Puget Sound watershed.
• Work with community engagement team and program partners to make our field outreach programs more inclusive and welcoming for the diverse communities who live and work in the Puget Sound watershed.
• Co-create new community-based field conservation programs with community partners.
• Collaborate with the Aquarium volunteer engagement team to create and deliver new field conservation opportunities for Aquarium volunteers.
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities for the beach naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey programs.
• Respond to public and partner requests for programs and deliver programs as needed.
• Support and participate in the planning and delivery of volunteer training for the beach naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey programs.
• Deliver programming on the beach, on the river and at outreach events throughout the community while supervising volunteers.
• Collaborate with principal evaluator to evaluate programs.
• Collaborate with philanthropy team to write and submit grant proposals to fund community outreach programs and report to funders per grant guidelines.

Additional responsibilities:

• In collaboration with human resources, provide expertise and support for colleagues throughout the Aquarium seeking to make the Aquarium and our programs more welcoming and inclusive for all.
• Keep updated on current trends and evidence-based, effective practices for serving diverse audiences, and share this information with Aquarium colleagues.
• Work with Aquarium marketing team to promote the field programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required skills/abilities:  

• Interest and expertise in marine science and/or environmental science and conservation.
• Interest and expertise in equity, inclusion and diversity.
• Strong, demonstrated commitment to environmental justice and racial equity.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to handle a variety of situations, including those that may be complicated or challenging, with grace, empathy and above all, a sense of humor.
• Enthusiasm and skill for networking, developing relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, and building strong ties in the community.
• Must be able to interact positively with volunteers, be willing to teach and be supportive of all volunteers’ abilities.
• Familiarity with MS Office programs, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook.

Experience, education and certifications: We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education in order to meet minimum requirements.

Required:

• Three years cumulative experience working or volunteering in an aquarium, zoo, environmental education/restoration agency, nature center, camp, community-based organization or similar institution required.
• One year experience doing outreach to diverse communities, community organizing, or similar activities.
• A./B.S. degree in education, science or related field, or a combination of equivalent education and work experience.
• Experience working in and/or with community-based grassroots organizations.
• Experience and confidence with delivering formal presentations and informal interpretation; and/or teaching experience.
• Must obtain Washington or other state driver’s license, or eligibility to obtain one upon arrival and good driving record. Must complete a motor vehicles records check as part of the hiring process.*
• Adult, child and baby first aid and CPR/AED certified required by first day of paid work.

Preferred:

• Experience developing and refining education programs using an equity lens to ensure accessibility and inclusion for diverse audiences.

Working conditions:

• Occasional extended exposure to outside weather conditions.
• Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (e.g. totes of outreach supplies, sandwich-board-style signs for directing visitors to field programs).
• Comfortable sitting on the ground, kneeling with small children and walking at least a mile on the beach/uneven surfaces.
• Job requires time spent in the offices, exhibits, service areas, classrooms and in the field.
• Driving Aquarium vehicles (car, SUV or van) to outreach and field locations throughout the greater Puget Sound region.
• Flexible schedule required. This position will commonly work weekends and evenings to accommodate field program needs.

Salary and benefits: Hiring range of $42,000–$52,000/year, depending on experience—please include pay rate expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, health reimbursement account, medical and dental flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, and generous paid time off.

How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is a progressive, equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce. All candidates are encouraged to apply by sending a résumé and one-page letter detailing interest and relevant experience to jobs@seattleaquarium.org. Application review will begin immediately.

*Note: Must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check, upon job offer, to be eligible for this position. Regarding driving records: during the last 36 months you must not have had any of the following experiences: left the scene of an accident; been convicted of reckless, negligent or careless driving; had automobile insurance canceled, declined or not renewed; been convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related offense; had driver license suspended or revoked; been convicted of three or more speeding violations.