Position Information
Employer
Seattle Aquarium
Division
N/A
Title
Empathy fellowship coordinator
Description
Posted: Open to internal and external applicants
Reports to: Community engagement and inclusion manager
Status: Full-time, salaried, benefitted position
Hours of work: Standard Monday–Friday workweek, 8am–5pm. Regular need for weekend or after-hours work as related to programs and other projects.
Date needed: ASAP
Posting expires: Open until filled
About the organization:
The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment through a variety of channels including: a compelling exhibit experience and engaging daytime and evening events; conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds; community outreach to underserved populations; research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild; advocacy and policy work; an award-winning volunteer program; strong and consistent marketing efforts; and more.
We’re noted for our collaborative, communicative and team-oriented working environment. Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices; creating awe-inspiring experiences; constantly learning and improving; fostering an inclusive community; maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices; and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.
Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we’re the eighth-largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and we welcome over 850,000 people through our front doors each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’ve developed a master plan to substantially increase in size and impact by opening a new exhibit building, the Ocean Pavilion. Our current annual budget is $18 million.
Position description:
The Seattle Aquarium is hiring an empathy fellowship coordinator to join the community engagement team. This position will design and implement a program to engage communities typically underrepresented among staff of aquariums and zoos, and in the environmental field in general, through a paid and benefitted fellowship program. Four fellows each year working in three one-year cohorts starting in 2020 will collaborate with Aquarium staff and work in their communities to develop and deliver empathy-themed programming. The empathy fellowship coordinator will hire and supervise the fellows; create and deliver empathy-based outreach programming alongside the fellows; and, once the one-year term is over, provide the fellows with wrap-around services, including activities such as résumé writing and interview-skills coaching, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to engage with future fellowship cohorts to create an alumni network. The empathy fellowship coordinator will also play a role in updating and improving other professional learning opportunities at the Aquarium (internships and similar opportunities) with a particular focus on making these opportunities more equitable.
About the fellowship program:
Communities of color and other marginalized communities bear the brunt of environmental harm, and historically have not reaped the benefits of the solutions proposed. The empathy fellowship will offer job experience in the marine conservation field, with a focus on the role that empathy can play in both marine conservation and addressing the disproportional impact of environmental degradation on communities of color and other marginalized communities. Outcomes for the fellowship program include that the fellows culturally and linguistically reflect the community in which they will be working, demonstrate empathy for marine animals and habitats, and feel empowered to act as empathy leaders in their communities.
This position is grant-funded through December 31, 2022.
Essential functions:
- Working in collaboration with the community engagement, volunteer engagement and HR teams, write job description for fellowship positions.
- Recruit and hire fellows from historically marginalized communities in the Salish Sea region, by building on relationships in those communities with existing and new Aquarium partners.
- Working with HR, hire, onboard, train and evaluate each of the three one-year cohorts of four full-time, paid fellows.
- Serve as an encouraging, supportive mentor for fellows, provide ongoing coaching and connect fellows with resources and opportunities as they conduct their work.
- Work with Aquarium staff and fellows to co-create and deliver empathy-based outreach programming with our community partners.
- In years two and three of the program, coordinate the wrap-around activities for current fellows and alumni.
- In collaboration with the volunteer engagement and HR teams, examine and recommend updates to the Aquarium’s internship and other professional learning opportunities.Collaborate with principle evaluator to evaluate fellowship program.
- Participate in grant-reporting activities on the fellowship program such as gathering feedback from partners and fellows and reporting on outreach activities.
Required skills, abilities:
- Interest and expertise in marine science and/or environmental science and conservation.
- Experience, expertise and comfort with facilitating courageous conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion topics such as social and racial justice and environmental justice.
- Interest in fostering empathy for animals.
- Experience supervising and mentoring staff with differing skills sets and levels of professional experience.
- Experience working in and/or with community-based organizations, building strong ties in the community, and networking with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Experience developing education/outreach programs, especially in an informal education setting.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Experience and confidence with delivering formal presentations and informal interpretation; and/or teaching experience.
- Ability to handle a variety of situations, including those that may be complicated or challenging, with grace, empathy and a sense of humor.
- 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:
- B.A./B.S. degree in education, science or related field.
- Three years’ cumulative experience working or volunteering in an aquarium, zoo, environmental education/restoration agency, nature center, camp, community-based organization or similar.
- Two to three years of experience doing outreach or delivering education programs to diverse communities, community organizing or similar activities.
- One to two years of experience supervising an individual and/or group.
- 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.*
Preferred:
Experience developing and refining education programs using an equity lens to ensure accessibility and inclusion for diverse audiences.
Ability to communicate in a language in addition to English.
Working conditions:
- Occasional extended exposure to outside weather conditions.
- Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 20 pounds (e.g. totes of outreach supplies).
- Comfortable getting near the ground to be at the same level with young children, traveling at least a mile in outdoor settings such as along beaches or rivers.
- Job requires time spent in the offices, exhibits, service areas, classrooms and in outdoor settings such as along beaches or rivers.
- Driving Aquarium vehicles (car, SUV or van) to outreach and field locations within a roughly 50-mile radius of Seattle.
- Flexible schedule required. This position will regularly work weekends and evenings to accommodate outreach program needs.
Salary and benefits:
$45,000–$50,000/year, D.O.E. Please include salary expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for 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, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Family Plus membership 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 uploading a résumé and one-page letter detailing interest and relevant experience in our online application.
Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job.
*Note: Must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check, upon job offer, to be eligible for this position. Regarding driving records, within the last three years you must not have had more than two moving traffic violations or any major violation (DUI, reckless driving, negligent driving, etc.).
Location
Seattle, Washington United States
Position Type
Full Time Job
Work Authorization
US Citizen
Salary Level
$45,000–$50,000/year
Job Function
Agriculture/Natural Resources/Environment, Education/Teaching
Desired Start Date
April 1, 2019
How to Apply
Resume Receipt
other
Additional Documents
Cover Letter
Application Information
How to Apply:
Apply on Website
Requested Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
Applications accepted via:
- Other
Important Dates
Posted On:
Feb 26, 2019
Application Deadline:
Aug 25, 2019
Screening Criteria
Majors/Concentrations
All Majors
Help Desk: 703-373-7040 (Hours: Mon-Fri. 9am-8pm EST)