JOB POSTING

Community outreach educator

Posted:                         Open to internal and external applicants Reports to:

Community engagement manager Status:    Part-time regular position

Hours of work:           20–30 hours per week varying days of the week. A core schedule will be set upon hiring with some flexibility required. Outreach programs take place on weekends and weekdays during daytime and evening hours depending on the program and the season.

Date needed:             ASAP

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 850,000 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 $18 million.

Position description:

The Seattle Aquarium seeks a part time community outreach educator to join the community engagement team. This position will help build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with our community via the Seattle Aquarium Connections program by delivering programs, assisting with program expansion, working with Connections partners to co-create new programming, and providing administrative support.

The ideal candidate will have one or more years of experience working or volunteering in an aquarium, zoo, environmental education/restoration agency, nature center, camp, after-school program, community center or similar institution and a B.A./B.S. degree in education science or a related field, or a combination of equivalent education and experience. Candidates with experience developing and refining education or outreach programs using an equity lens and those who have participated in one or more cultural competency, implicit bias or related trainings are preferred.

More about the team and programs:

The community engagement (CE) team supports the Seattle Aquarium’s efforts to meaningfully and positively engage all people and communities that live and work along the shores and in the

watersheds of Puget Sound to meet our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, with an understanding that “our” means everyone’s marine environment. This is particularly important because environmental degradation disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income communities, and because environmental challenges will not be solved without bringing to bear the knowledge, skills and diverse views of the entire human community.

CE programs include the Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey programs, field conservation activities (tree plantings, beach cleanups, etc.) and outreach programs for Seattle Aquarium Connections partners: SeattleAquarium.org/connections. (Connections 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.) The community engagement team connects with youth, adults and families via these free programs using an approach that is learner-focused, connecting marine-related content to prior knowledge and experience. We value and respect the diversity of experiences that visitors bring to the beach, river and 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.

Essential functions:

• Deliver outreach programs to Seattle Aquarium Connections partners using a learner- focused approach that is respectful and welcoming to all participants. Outreach programs are typically with groups of youth accompanied by adult chaperones, or with mixed-age family groups. Programs include but are not limited to: field-based programs (Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey); marine-themed outreach kits (theme examples: salmon, orcas, octopuses) brought to partner sites (community centers, libraries, etc.); booth with marine-themed activities and information at a community event open to the public such as a fair or festival; and after-school
  • Build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with Connections partners through positive interactions before, during and after Aquarium
    • Assist the community engagement team with expanding and updating existing outreach programs, and the co-creating new programs with Connections
      • Assist the community partner program coordinator with Connections program administrative needs, including customer service (ticket, membership and program requests and questions) and data
      • Travel locally (driving Aquarium-provided vehicles) to Puget Sound beaches, the Ballard Locks, the Cedar River, partner sites and community events throughout the Puget Sound
    • Set up and clean up program supplies and spaces. This may include lifting bins, moving tables and chairs, setting up canopies, transporting supplies on carts, loading Aquarium vehicles for outreach programs and basic computer/projector
    • Assist with training seasonal staff and volunteers in the CE programs.

Required skills/abilities:

• Interest and expertise in marine science and/or environmental science and conservation.
  • Interest in and demonstrated commitment to environmental justice and desire to serve communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental
• Experience and confidence with delivering both formal presentations and informal interpretation; and/or teaching

• Ability to convey information about marine science and conservation to the public with flexibility, strong listening skills, and respect for learners’ prior knowledge and experiences.
  • Enthusiasm and skill for networking, developing relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, and building strong ties in the
• Ability to problem-solve and work independently without close
  • Respect for and appreciation of volunteers; ability to handle a variety of situations that may arise with volunteers and the public with flexibility, empathy and above all, a sense of
• Familiarity with MS Office programs, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel,
  • Experience working in community-based grassroots organizations, especially those doing environmental/social justice work
• Ability to communicate in a language or languages in addition to English

Experience, education and certifications:

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

Required:

• A./B.S. degree in education, science or related field OR combination of equivalent education and experience.

• One year or more experience working or volunteering in an aquarium, zoo, environmental education/restoration agency, nature center, camp, after-school program, community center or similar
  • Must have 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.*
• If candidate does not already have first aid and CPR certifications, will be required to obtain within 90 days once hired (Aquarium will provide access to this certification).

Preferred:

• Prior participation in one or more cultural competency, implicit bias or related training.

• Experience developing and refining education or outreach programs using an equity lens to ensure accessibility and inclusion for historically underrepresented audiences.
  • Familiarity with databases a plus.

Working conditions:

• Occasional extended exposure to outside weather
  • Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (e.g. totes of outreach supplies, canopies, 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
• 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.
• A core weekly schedule will be set for this position, with some flexibility required.

Outreach programs commonly take place both on weekends and weekdays, during daytime and evening hours depending on the program and the season.

Pay and benefits:

$16.50–$17.50/hour, depending on experience. Please include pay rate expectations in cover letter. Part-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s part-time benefits package to include medical, vision, HRA, FSA and access to a subsidized ORCA pass as well as sick time.

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; and/or been convicted of three or more speeding violations.