Seeking Environmental Educators for 2020-2021 AmeriCorps Term!

Join our fast-paced, fun organization and support our mission:

Inspiring Conservation of the Salish Sea

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) is seeking four Environmental Educator AmeriCorps Members to join our team dedicated to conserving the Salish Sea. These are full-time 10 ½ month positions starting October 1, 2020. These stipend-supported positions are sponsored by the Washington Service Corps AmeriCorps program. These positions are contingent upon funding.

PTMSC is a public non-profit marine education facility located in Fort Worden State Park, Washington. Our two buildings house a small hands-on Aquarium with local near-shore animals and plants, a Museum featuring a fully articulated orca skeleton with exhibits connecting her to emergent issues of toxics in the marine environment, a citizen science research lab, and two fully equipped classrooms. Visit www.ptmsc.org to learn more.

DUTIES: All AmeriCorps positions will conduct activities within the following focus areas in order to inspire conservation of the Salish Sea:

• Education: Members will spend approximately 30% of their time providing hands-on, inquiry-based K-12 science education to local students in economically disadvantaged schools.
• Exhibits: Members will spend approximately 40% of their time providing meaningful informal science education through the operation, interpretation, and upkeep of our two exhibit halls. Engage the public through tours, interpretive programs, and exhibit content.
• Volunteers/Outreach: Members will provide engaging volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, including volunteer participation in citizen science and research, and utilizing effective volunteer management strategies, such as training, scheduling, and recognizing volunteers. Also providing outreach to the community through tabling events, beach clean-ups, and social media.
• Research: Members will provide education to the public about our citizen science research projects; assisting with research projects, including data collection, data entry, and maintenance of scientific equipment.

MEMBER ASSIGNMENT: In addition to sharing the above duties, each AmeriCorps Environmental Educator Member will be assigned a particular area of responsibility:

• The Museum Educator will focus on supporting volunteers and programs in the Museum exhibit. This will include training volunteers in applicable natural history topics and interpretation methods, scheduling volunteer shifts, organizing our Exploration Stations, organizing Museum supplies and specimen collections, implementing public programs in the Museum, and helping to plan new public exhibits and programs in the Museum.
• The Citizen Science Educator will support our volunteer data collection programs in our Discovery Lab by training volunteers in sampling protocols, scheduling and communicating with volunteers, collecting and managing data, collaborating with partner organizations, and maintaining lab program equipment. This position must have data management and scientific research skills.
• The Volunteer Program Educator will focus on overall support of the volunteer program and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network (MMSN). This will include assisting with scheduling volunteer shifts for exhibits, school programs and other roles; implementing volunteer trainings and events; managing volunteer program data; coordinating social media outreach; supporting citizen science volunteers in our stranding network through training new responders; dispatching volunteers to reports of marine mammal strandings; communicating with off-site volunteers, and maintaining MMSN program supplies and equipment.
• The Aquarium Educator will train and support volunteers in maintaining and interpreting the Aquarium exhibit, assist with collection of organisms and exhibit design, assist in training other team members for aquarium-related duties, manage data, support salt water tank plumbing maintenance, and organize cleaning and feeding supplies.

OPPORTUNITIES:

• Serve with a team of educators developing and delivering state-of-the-art science education, programs, and exhibits
• Support current research through projects in citizen science
• Receive training in natural history, marine biology, ecology, teaching and interpretation techniques, and care of cold water marine animals

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 4-year degree or background in marine biology, natural history, environmental education, or a related field; or equivalent experience
• Must be familiar with concepts and methods of scientific research
• Must be an energetic, self-motivated team player and willing to learn
• Must be able or willing to interact with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be over 18 years old
• Must be able to serve a 10 ½ month term of service, and at least 1,700 hours
• Must have a current CPR and First Aid certification
• Must pass required federal background check
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National or Permanent Resident Alien of the United States

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands below are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to walk on uneven terrain for up to two miles carrying up to 30 pounds
• Ability to lift 40 pounds from the floor
• Ability to climb and work from ladders and climb stairs
• Ability to reach, use, lift and move 20 pounds from shoulder height
• Ability to work in small and awkward spaces, and work outside in inclement weather conditions
• Ability to stand or sit for up to 8 hours with one 30 min break and two 15 min breaks

BENEFITS:

• Monthly stipend of $1,450 per month (pre-tax)
• Medical insurance coverage
• Education award of $6,195 (for college tuition or loans) upon successful completion of service term
• Workers compensation coverage
• Child Care Assistance if income-eligible
• Loan forbearance on qualifying student loans
• Eligible for Washington State Food Assistance program
• Visit the Become A Member page to learn more about WSC program benefits