Posted: Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to: Public programs coordinator

Status: Full-time, hourly, temporary position

Hours of work: Standard Monday–Friday workweek, 8am–5pm. Occasional need for extended hours as related to field trips.

Date needed: June 15, 2020

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 looking for two camp lead instructors (CLIs) to help make our 2020 camp season a big success. The CLI’s primary roles are to oversee all operations of their assigned camp sessions; carry out curriculum (created in advance); and lead the camp counselors, volunteers and children in their assigned camp sessions. CLIs are expected to establish positive relationships with summer program staff, volunteers, interns, campers and families. Each day varies greatly. Willingness to adapt from office tasks, to guiding camp staff and volunteers, and instructing classes with participants whose ages vary from early childhood to teen is essential.

CLIs will carry out their nine weeks of assigned session schedules and all activities. CLIs maintain the same room and lead the same two staff camp counselors all nine sessions. Rotating each session, CLIs may have up to two high school volunteer counselors and up to 22 (usually 20) campers per week.

Marine summer camp fulfills the Seattle Aquarium’s mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment through engaging, inclusive and fun educational experiences. Campers range in age from 4 to 14 years and are grouped by age for a total of about 20 campers per session. Each session is led by one CLI and two camp counselors, with youth volunteers and admin staff as support. Activities take place at Seattle Aquarium and various off-site locations. The camp day runs 9am-4pm with before- and after-care options.

Hours of work: CLIs must be committed to all set dates/times:

• Pre-camp season: 
  • June 15–19: At-home pre-reading, total 10 hours
  • June 21–25 (Sun.–Thurs.), 8am–5pm: camp staff training
• Camp sessions:
  • June 29–Aug. 28 (Fri., July 3 off)
  • Shift times: Mon.–Fri., 8am–5pm
• Post-camp season:
  • Aug. 31–Sept. 1, 9am–5pm: season debrief, evaluation and cleaning

Essential functions:

• Foster an inclusive, positive and safe learning environment and interact professionally with campers, their families, volunteers and camp staff.
• Promote appropriate behavior among all participants and serve as a role model. When appropriate, encourage all campers to participate, observe, discover and appreciate the marine environment while being respectful of their surroundings on and off site.
• Implement curriculum
  • It will be the CLI’s role to maintain, modify as needed and execute the activities as scheduled. Any significant modifications will need approval from the public programs coordinator.
  • Lead camp sessions at varied types of daytime field sites.
  • Responsible for materials care and maintenance as well as spacing out of designated supplies to last all summer.
• Responsible for keeping track of all camper information (medical, general and authorizations) as written on release forms. Responsible for ensuring all such information is respected and referenced appropriately and remains confidential. 
• Report daily incidents or interactions of note to Aquarium staff/volunteers and camp families. Professionalism, confidentiality, respect and quality communication are key.
• Greet families every day, sign in/out campers, make sure children are prepared for the day with all proper paperwork, lunch etc., and connect parents and guardians to the appropriate staff and program when applicable.
• Delegate administrative tasks and the teaching of lessons to camp counselors and youth volunteers as appropriate.
• Act as first point of contact for camp counselor needs, concerns and curiosities.

Additional responsibilities:

• May be required to drive Aquarium 15-passenger transit van or rented transit vans to transport campers for field trips.
• Other camp program-related projects as assigned.

Required skills/abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent leadership abilities.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated reliability, responsibility and enthusiasm.
• Basic knowledge of group activities, games, team-building initiatives or other environmental/experiential-education-related programming.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Be flexible in a rapidly changing work environment.
• Some knowledge of marine science and conservation.
• Comfort handling intertidal animals (sea stars, hermit crabs, etc.)—training provided.
• Basic knowledge of microscopes and other marine science equipment preferred.
• Adult, child and infant first aid and CPR/AED. Anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injector training. Certification proof required by first day of paid work. Red Cross online courses are not accepted. If this is a financial barrier the aquarium will provide assistance.
• Familiarity with MS Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive) and other basic computer skills.

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

Required:

• Minimum of two years’ experience working with youth in a formal or informal education setting.
• Minimum one season (two to four months) experience in a leadership role.
• High school plus some college or equivalent experience; must be 18 years of age or older.

Preferred:

• Minimum of one year of experience working in an aquarium, zoo, environmental education center or similar institution.
• Courses in education, child development, recreation, environmental science, biology or related field.
• Previous experience working in a camp setting highly desired.
• Experience working with diverse racial and socio-economic audiences.

Working conditions:

• Ability to commit to the set hours/dates of work.
• Must be able to spend long periods of times outdoors during all weather conditions (rain or shine).
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk and/or run for varied and extended periods of time while interacting with youth.
• Heavy to moderate vocal demands to project talks and announcements to direct a large audience in loud areas during heavy foot and vehicle traffic.
• Ability to lift at least 30 pounds and carry gear at field sites on uneven terrain.
• Must be comfortable in and around water. Camp staff will be scheduled to go on select field trips, which include low tide beach walks, and may include small watercraft like kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Some comfort with swimming and treading water is recommended.

Salary and benefits: $17.00/hour + $0.75/hour for transportation assistance. Temporary staff are not eligible for benefits but accrue paid sick time and receive financial help with transportation costs.

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, upon job offer, to be eligible for this position.