Job Description

JOB POSTING

CONNECTIONS PROGRAM OUTREACH SPECIALIST

2 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

POSTED: Open to internal and external applicants

REPORTS TO: Connections program manager

STATUS: Full-time, hourly, benefitted position

HOURS OF WORK: Standard Monday–Friday workweek, 8am–5pm, with flexibility required for weekend or after-hours work as related to programs and community events.

DATE NEEDED: DECEMBER 2022

POSTING EXPIRES: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for two full time connections program outreach specialists to join the community engagement team. The goal of the Connections program is to provide opportunities to experience the Aquarium to those in our community who might otherwise experience barriers to engaging with us. The Connections program works with, serves and values the diverse communities in our region including members of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disability, low-income communities and many more. To support our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we hope to create authentic, mutually beneficial relationships that build trust between the Aquarium and our partner communities and provide quality, culturally relevant and anti-racist marine conservation educational experiences to all. Toward that end, the Connections program provides complimentary admission tickets, discounted memberships and experiences through community partner organizations.

Connections Program Outreach Specialists work as members of the Community Engagement team in the Conservation Engagement and Learning department to maintain, co-develop and implement regular outreach programming for Connections partner organizations. They also serve as field leads during the Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey seasons. This position helps train and steward our Empathy Fellows in regularly offered outreach programs (online and in-person), serving as an encouraging and supportive resource, coaching and connecting empathy fellows to resources and opportunities as they conduct their work. This position will continue to build on the relationships cultivated by the Community Engagement team through the delivery of high-quality programming and communication with community partner participants.

We value talents as much as skills, and lived experience as much as education. To apply and read a full job description visit www.seattleaquarium.org/careers.

KEY FUNCTIONS:

A complete list of essential functions is available in the job description attached to the job posting on the Seattle Aquarium website.

1. Deliver outreach programs to Seattle Aquarium Connections partners using a learner-focused approach that is inclusive and welcoming to all participants, anticipating the needs and addressing barriers to participation for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disability and other diverse communities. Outreach programs are typically with groups of youth accompanied by adult chaperones, or with mixed-age family groups. Examples of programs include field-based programs (Beach Naturalist and Cedar River Salmon Journey); marine-themed outreach kits (theme examples: salmon, orcas, octopuses, watersheds) brought to partner sites (community centers, libraries, etc.); community events booths with marine-themed activities and information open to the public such as a fair or festival; and after-school programs.
2. Be an encouraging, supportive and motivating role model for fellows as they advance their careers supporting our mission. Recognize fellows’ interests, strengths and growth opportunities and support their exploration and development as they pursue their varied interests as they relate to our mission, including - but not limited to – marine science, biology, Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, conservation, environmental justice, science communication, community service, community engagement and more.
3. Train, mentor and coach fellows to practice and improve their skills and knowledge within empathy, equity and conservation engagement

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education to meet minimum requirements.

• 2 years minimum of relevant experience in an education environment or outreach capacity.

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Must have 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.*

• If candidate does not already have first aid and CPR certifications, will be required to obtain within 90 days once hired (Aquarium will provide access to this certification).

• Experience developing and refining education or outreach programs using an equity lens to ensure accessibility and inclusion for overburdened audiences.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This position will work a hybrid schedule and is subject to the Seattle Aquarium’s telecommuting policy.
• Most of the work is performed in a typical office setting at a computer workstation for the duration of your shift, semi-private work area except when delivering outreach programs either in the community or virtual at the Aquarium
• Occasional extended exposure to outside weather conditions during field programs and outdoor outreaches.
• Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (e.g. totes of outreach supplies, canopies, sandwich-board-style signs for directing visitors to field programs).
• Comfortable sitting on the ground, kneeling with small children and walking at least a mile on the beach/uneven surfaces.
• Driving Aquarium vehicles (car, SUV or van) to outreach and field locations throughout the greater Puget Sound region.

PAY AND BENEFITS: $23.00 - $25.00/hour. Dependent on experience. Please include pay expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium 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. One of our core values is fostering an inclusive community, and we want our staff to reflect our community. To that end, we encourage diverse candidates to apply, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous and People of Color applicants and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé and answer the following application questions in our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

SeattleAquarium.org/careers

• What does empathy mean to you?
• How are ocean conservation and social justice connected?
• Why are you interested in working with the Seattle Aquarium?

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.

NOTE: If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer. 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.).

ABOUT THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM:

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 by providing an inspiring visitor experience, engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized 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, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.

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 & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 850,000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’re working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building, the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org.

REGARDING COVID-19:

Open daily, the Aquarium prioritizes the health and safety of our staff and visitors, embracing science to guide our operations. We maintain high standards of cleanliness, and all high-touch surfaces (like windows, railings, restrooms and elevators) are continuously cleaned.

Please note: All Aquarium staff and volunteers must provide proof of vaccination or approved medical or religious exemption by the date of hire. If you have questions about this policy or for information regarding the exemption process, please contact the Human Resources department at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.

TIMELINE:

We anticipate the following recruiting schedule for those candidates who are selected for consideration. The following dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will work with candidates to set interview dates. If hired, relocation assistance is not available.

• Application deadline: Open until filled.
• Interviews completed in November 2022.
• Start date: December 2022, ideally.