Job Application - Northwest Maritime Center

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Educator - Marine Science Focused - Spring & Summer (SEASONAL)

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This seasonal position (March-August) is made for you if science, sailing, and STEM “floats your boat”. As the Marine Science Focused Educator for the Northwest Maritime Center, you’ll work with students from ages 5 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. You’ll then spend your summer months as the Messing About in Boats Camp Co-instructor, literally messing about in boats with young kids sparking wonder and curiosity!

 

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:

 

SPRING SEASON as MARINE SCIENCE FOCUSED EDUCATOR:

The Salish Sea Expeditions Marine Science Educator is responsible for assisting students in developing their research project in the classroom as well as implementing their project while at sea. Salish Sea Expeditions works with groups of 7th - 12th grade students. Trips range from 3-5 Day Expeditions (overnight) as well as 1-Day programs. The Marine Science Educator works with other Salish Sea Expeditions staff to deliver quality inquiry-based and hands-on nautical and marine science education programs.

 

SPRING ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assists 5th-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 session 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

 

SUMMER SEASON as MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS CO-INSTRUCTOR:

The co-instructors work collaboratively to teach and manage the program under the guidance of the Summer Program Coordinator. You will lead 5- to 10-year-old students in experiences to have fun and increase comfort on the water, in the spirit of adventure and discovery. You are also responsible for communicating with parents, creating curriculum, and managing teaching assistants– all while upholding all NWMC safety policies and procedures. Co-instructors are expected to be strong leaders and outstanding role models for both the assistant instructors and the participants.

 

SUMMER ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Ensure that all boats and safety equipment are prepared for each day of programming, in cooperation with the Programs Operations Coordinator and the Summer Program Coordinator
  • Complete and follow all required and necessary daily paperwork and related guidelines, i.e., lesson plans, incident reports (as needed), class actuals, maintenance/equipment log, communication with parents
  • Daily check in with staff and Summer Program Coordinator at the beginning and end of each day
  • Participating in staff orientation, pre-season set up and post-season tear down of the program

 

GENERAL OPERATIONS

While this position’s primary responsibility is in facilitating learning experiences, the Educator will work as part of the NWMC team to ensure smooth operations for the organization as a whole. This could include providing information to visitors to the Maritime Center and helping out in projects and events that require all-hands-on-deck, to helping tie up a vessel coming into our dock because you happen to be standing there. We all pitch in for the heavy lifting now and then—sometimes this is metaphoric; occasionally we all have to actually help lift something heavy.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience teaching, preferably in a non-formal learning environment, summer camp or on the water
  • Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in Marine Biology/Oceanography and associated sampling techniques
  • Ability to employ different teaching methods and styles to accommodate different audiences and learning styles
  • Experience working with 5–16-year-olds
  • Enthusiasm for working outdoors in all types of weather
  • Ability to lift and carry gear up to 50 lbs.
  • Current first aid/CPR certification
  • Valid driver’s license
  • CDC “Heads Up” online concussion training or training plan
  • Washington State Boaters Card with knowledge of safe boating practices or training plan
  • 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
  • Summer camp leadership experience
  • Small boat sailing and rowing experience

 

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, dates & locations:
    • Spring, 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
    • Summer, based on the Port Townsend Campus: June 21- August 31, 2023 – schedule is typically 35 to 40 hours per week.
  • Main NWMC Campus is located at 431 Water St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
  • Reports to: Salish Sea Expeditions Program Manager (Spring), Waterfront Programs Manager (Summer)

 

WAGE RANGE & BENEFITS

  • $200-220 daily rate (Spring), $20-22 per hour (Summer), 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 spring season programs, you may be sleeping at the house, on a boat, or in a tent.
  • Meals while running an overnight program are provided (in Spring), otherwise, you will be responsible for providing your own food
  • Season completion bonus: $500 payable at the end of the successful completion of the Spring and Summer seasons

 

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.”

 

On top of it all, you’d get to work on the water in Port Townsend: natural beauty, heritage buildings, arts community, wooden boats, zero traffic jams. 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. You’ll be doing meaningful work for the place you live and your efforts will make a tangible difference.

 

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.