Job Application - Northwest Maritime Center

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Marine Science Focused Educator - Spring Season (SEASONAL)

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As the Marine Science Focused Educator, you’ll work with students from ages 11 to 17. Throughout the spring season, you’ll hone your science inquiry and teaching skills while sailing the San Juan Islands with middle or high school students. The Salish Sea Expeditions Marine Science Focused Educator is responsible for assisting students in developing their research projects in the classroom as well as implementing their projects while at sea. Salish Sea Expeditions works with groups of 5th-12th grade students. Trips range from 3-5 Day Expeditions (overnight) as well as 1-Day programs. You will work with other Salish Sea Expeditions staff to deliver quality inquiry-based and hands-on nautical and marine science education programs.

 

We love working with team members who:

  • have a proactive work ethic– willing to jump in and help in any aspect of programming when necessary.
  • love to create a fun, inclusive, and safe atmosphere for learning.
  • work well both individually and as a team member, as well as independently with small groups of students.
  • communicate clearly, work collaboratively, and are flexible in dynamic situations.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Spark wonder and curiosity on the water and on land in a hands-on and engaging way to middle, and high school students.
  • Facilitate daily activities, on water and land, aligned with the class content as presented in the program description
  • Assists 7th-12th grade students in developing and conducting their research experiment
  • Onboard the vessel supervises groups of students in creating a sampling plan and, deploying science equipment, analyzing data, and synthesizing results
  • In the evenings goes to shore (when sleeping on shore) with students to assist in setting up tents, and organizing free time and evening activities
  • General maintenance of scientific equipment
  • Pre- and post-expedition duties include facilitating classroom sessions and assisting students with developing their research question, and creating a communication piece about their research
  • Work collaboratively with the Salish Sea Expedition Program Manager, Operations Coordinator, and other staff to deliver a high quality, safe maritime learning experience
  • Other duties as assigned

 

GENERAL OPERATIONS

While this position’s primary responsibility is facilitating learning experiences, the Marine Science Focused Educator will work as part of the Salish Sea Expeditions and Northwest Maritime Center team to ensure smooth operations for the organization as a whole. Integral to the success of Salish Sea Expeditions and our hands-on, boat-based programs is a crew full of knowledgeable, curious, enthusiastic, and self-motivated educators. We aim to create a generation of critical thinkers who will collaborate to solve society’s hardest problems.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience teaching, preferably in a non-formal learning environment, summer camp, or on the water
  • Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in Oceanography and associated sampling techniques
  • Ability to employ different teaching methods and styles to accommodate different audiences and learning styles
  • Ability to carry out and explain the scientific process to students
  • Experience working with 10-17-year-olds
  • Current first aid/CPR
  • Enthusiasm for working outdoors in all types of weather
  • Ability to lift and carry gear up to 50lbs
  • Ability to stay positive when working with crew and students over multiple days in relatively confined spaces of the vessel
  • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster (staff will be subject to COVID testing prior to overnight trips)
  • Work offers are contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check and drug test. The NWMC boat-based programs are drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free. Throughout employment with the Northwest Maritime Center, certain boat-based program employees will be enrolled in a random drug testing program administered by the Maritime Consortium, in compliance with the Coast Guard mandatory drug testing regulation, as contained in 46 CFR part 16.

 

HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS

  • BA/BS in marine biology, oceanography, or equivalent of a combination of coursework and experience in a related specialized field
  • Demonstrated Inquiry Based teaching ability
  • WFA/WFR/EMT certification
  • Experience working on other boats or sailing vessels

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Submit resume with online application
  • Deadline for applications: Open until filled, application review begins January 23, 2023
  • One application submission could be used for multiple positions, if interested in additional positions please note that during the application process

 

WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE

  • Position is seasonal, based out of Port Townsend sailing in the San Juan Islands: March 1- June 10, 2023 – schedule is typically 15 to 20 days per month and is contingent on the program schedule
  • Main NWMC Campus is located at 431 Water St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
  • Reports to: Salish Sea Expeditions Program Manager

 

WAGE RANGE & BENEFITS

  • $200-220 daily rate, paid semi-monthly
  • Sick time accrued at a rate of 1 hour for every 25 hours worked
  • Employee discounts on classes and in NWMC run retail stores
  • Subsidized housing (you pay $250/month in rent), and partial board included. Housing option includes a bed in a shared room in the crew house in Port Townsend. There is a shared kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and laundry facilities. During programs, you may be sleeping at the house, on a boat, or in a tent.
  • Meals while running an overnight program are provided, otherwise, you will be responsible for providing your own food

 

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

  • Following all local, state, and federal guidelines to keep everyone safe
  • All education staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including booster or have a medical exemption, verification is required

 

WHY YOU WANT TO WORK HERE

There are rare moments when organizations have the combination of a talented and motivated staff, an engaged board, a healthy and productive work culture, are executing well on existing programs but still innovating and looking for the next step—we’re in that moment, and it’s exciting.

 

The NWMC is dynamic, making a difference in our community, and taking an increasing role in the region. We serve individual students and program participants, but we also work to help solve community problems like systemic improvements in our public schools, economic development, job training, and working regionally to pair the opportunities in the maritime industry with the need to address systemic oppression in communities of color. Plus, all of the fun stuff like kids’ programs, festivals, and adventure races. Our waterfront campus is vibrant with a multitude of compelling activities, and all of them done to meet or advance industry best practices. In the words of a board member: “We don’t do B work.”

 

The Northwest Maritime Center’s relative scale to our small town means that the effects of our success can be observed in the success of our community. However, our community is growing beyond Port Townsend into the greater Puget Sound region. You’ll be doing meaningful work for the region, and your efforts will make a tangible difference. On top of it all, you’d be connected to our main campus in Port Townsend: natural beauty, heritage buildings, arts community, wooden boats.

 

Right team, right moment, the right momentum, and the chance to move the needle for the prosperity of an entire community: That’s why we get excited to come to work in the morning, and that’s why we think you should want to be here too.

 

The Northwest Maritime Center is an equal-opportunity employer that welcomes and encourages individuals of all cultures and communities to apply. Read our Anti-Racism & Inclusion statement here.