Job Openings
Interested in applying for a position?
1) Review the information and our position descriptions below
2) Submit an application: Salish Sea Expeditions Education Team Application
3) Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@salish.org
Returning Salish Sea Expeditions Crew?
1) Complete the Salish Sea Expeditions: Education Team Application for Returning Crew
2) If it’s been more than two years since you’ve worked at Salish Sea Expeditions, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@salish.org
Hiring Information
- Spring Season: March-June; Hiring period: November-December
- Fall Season: September-October; Hiring period: July-August
- Compensation: $1,400-$2,200/month, depending on position and experience
We accept applications year-round and will keep your application on file if you apply outside of our Hiring Seasons (July/August or November/December). We look forward to hearing from you!
About Us
Salish Sea Expeditions is a nonprofit organization established to provide opportunities for students in grades 5th and beyond to design and conduct real scientific research on the waters of the Salish Sea and within their local watersheds. For over two decades, we have been working with teachers to align our programs with current educational standards and with teacher curriculum. We aim to create a generation of critical thinkers who will collaborate to solve society’s hardest problems.
Mission: To inspire youth to connect with the marine environment through boat-based scientific inquiry and hands-on learning, instilling curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking.
About Our Education Team
To achieve our organizational mission, our Education Director and Program Manager hire nautical and marine scientist educators for our Spring and Fall Seasons to teach in the classroom and deliver our program aboard the sailing vessel Carlyn. Programs range from 1- to 5-days, with multi-day onboard programs involving Pre- and Post-Expedition Sessions with our student scientists and sailors.
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. There are typically six crew members on all expeditions.
- Captain, Mate & Deckhand: Oversee ship operations and nautical instruction
- Marine Science Educator: Instruct & guide student research efforts
- Program Coordinator: Responsible for oversight of the entire experience, facilitates each trip and assists in the science program.
- Logistics & Galley Coordinator: In charge of preparing lunches for the students and crew and coordinating meals and supplies for the expeditions.
Professional development opportunities vary from season to season and may include attending conferences and outreach events throughout the area, volunteer opportunities with other scientific research groups, and continuing education classes in the maritime sector. If you’re interested in joining our team, please take a look at our position descriptions below. Each season we may also host additional programs, including Marine Explorers Weekends, Science Under Sail and Educator Expeditions & Workshops.
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Year-round Positions
No Year-Round Positions available at the moment. Please check back periodically for new listings, or contact us at info@salish.org to join our mailing list.
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Seasonal Positions
- Captain
- Mate / Nautical Educator
- Deckhand / Nautical Educator
- Program Coordinator
- Marine Science Educator
- Logistics & Galley Coordinator
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Captain
Captain’s duties include, but are not limited to, directing and training sailing staff, science staff, and 5th-12th grade students in safe operation of the vessel and her systems as well as maintaining the vessel in a safe, operational condition of readiness, including directing others in maintenance and repair, and facilitating the education program and community on board. The Captain works directly with the Mate and Deckhand in order to implement nautical curriculum as well as part of a 6 crew onboard the vessel during expeditions. The Captain works directly with the Program Coordinator and other crew members to plan the timing, daily flow, and destinations of the expedition.
About You
- 50 ton Inland Masters license (or greater) with sail endorsement
- Effective management, leadership and communication skills and ability to foster community onboard
- 2+ years experience as mate or captain of similarly sized sailing vessel
- Demonstrated ability pilot, maintain, and facilitate safe environment aboard a large sailing vessel
- Demonstrated ability to train staff and instruct students in proper vessel operation to ensure safety
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Ability to stay positive when working with crew and students over multiple days in relatively confined spaces of the vessel
- Proactive work ethic: willingness to help in any aspects of programming necessary
Compensation: $1900-$2200/month based on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description. Application requirements below.
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Mate / Nautical Educator
Mate duties include, but are not limited to: instructing and overseeing staff students in proper vessel operation, presenting nautical science topics both in the classroom and on the vessel, and teaching a variety of sailing + navigation classes while underway. The Mate directly supports the Captain and works as a team with the Captain and Deckhand in order to ensure a safe environment on the vessel and to address any maintenance of the vessel that is necessary.
About You
- 50 ton Inland Masters license (or greater) with sail endorsement
- Effective management, leadership and communication skills and ability to foster community onboard
- Demonstrated ability to train staff and instruct students in proper vessel operation to ensure safety
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Ability to stay positive when working with crew and students over multiple days in relatively confined spaces of the vessel
- Proactive work ethic: willingness to help in any aspects of programming necessary
- First Aid & CPR Certified by position start date
- Desirable qualifications: BST or other advanced maritime training, experience with sailing vessels >60ft, WFA/WFR/EMT certification, interest in marine science and science education
Compensation: $1500-$1800 per month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description. Application requirements below.
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Deckhand / Nautical Educator
Deckhand duties include, but are not limited to: instructing and overseeing students in proper vessel operation, presenting nautical science topics both in the classroom and on the vessel, and teaching a variety of sailing + navigation classes while underway. The Deckhand directly supports the Captain and Mate as necessary in regards to the safety needs and management of the vessel.
About You
- Sailing experience
- Demonstrated ability to direct/instruct students in sailing while maintaining a safe work environment
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Enthusiasm for working outdoors in all types of weather
- Ability to stay positive when working with crew and students over multiple days in relatively confined spaces of the vessel
- Proactive work ethic: willingness to help in any aspects of programming necessary
- First Aid & CPR Certified by position start date
Compensation: $1400-$1600 per month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description. Application requirements below.
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Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator is responsible for the overall experience of an expedition. Pre-expedition and office duties may include managing paperwork to prepare for the trips, coordinating with other staff for expedition prep, general maintenance of scientific equipment and program development as necessary. The Program Coordinator will also work with other staff to help students in their classroom to design their marine research project. Primary responsibilities aboard the sailing vessel are to oversee onboard program operations, collaborate with the Captain and other crew members to facilitate meetings to plan the timing, daily flow, and destinations of the expedition, and to assist the Marine Scientist in the implementation of the science program. The Program Coordinator will be one member of a 6-person team.
About You
- 2+ years experience in outdoor/environmental education programming (coordination/management experience preferred)
- Excellent organizational skills + attention to detail
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to both crewmates and Salish Sea Expeditions office
- Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in Oceanography and associated sampling techniques
- Ability to carry out and explain the scientific process to students
- Demonstrated Inquiry Based teaching ability
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Ability to stay positive when working with crew and students over multiple days in relatively confined spaces of the vessel
- Proactive work ethic: willingness to help in any aspects of programming necessary
- First Aid & CPR Certified by position start date
Compensation: $1500-$1600/month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description. Application requirements below.
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Marine Science Educator
The Marine Science Educator is responsible for assisting students in developing their research project in the classroom as well as collecting and analyzing oceanographic data onboard the vessel. Pre-expedition duties may include preparing materials in the office to prepare for the trips, assisting in food and supply packing, logistical projects, general maintenance of scientific equipment and program development as necessary. Primary responsibilities aboard the sailing vessel are to instruct and supervise 5th-12th grade students (up to 14 at a time) who are creating a sampling plan and itinerary, deploying science equipment, analyzing data, and synthesizing results.
About You
- Experience and expertise in marine biology, oceanography, or other relevant field of study
- Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in Oceanography and associated sampling techniques
- Ability to carry out and explain the scientific process to students
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Ability to work well both individually and as a team member, as well as independently with small groups of students
- Ability to stay positive when working with crew and students over multiple days in relatively confined spaces of the vessel
- Proactive work ethic: willingness to help in any aspects of programming necessary
- First Aid & CPR Certified by position start date
Compensation: $1400-$1600/month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description. Application requirements below.
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Logistics & Galley Coordinator
The Logistics & Galley Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating pre-trip and day-to-day food and supply details for 3-5 day science education programs and day sail events aboard the vessel. This position will be split with approximately 30% of time in the office and 70% onboard the vessel. In the office, the Galley & Logistics Coordinator will use student menu plans provided by each group to design meals for the duration of the expedition. Shopping for and packing food and additional supplies necessary for the trips will also be the responsibility of the Galley & Logistics coordinator. Onboard the vessel, the Galley & Logistics Coordinator will be responsible for preparing lunches and snacks for all participants, organizing foods so they can be divided for the group camping onshore as well as the group sleeping on the boat in the evening, ensuring there are adequate food stocks and cleaning supplies aboard, and assisting marine educators and sailing crew where needed.
About You
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Time management, responsibility and flexibility a must
- Experience in food service and interest in cooking
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- 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
- Proactive work ethic: willingness to help in any aspects of programming necessary
- First Aid & CPR Certified by position start date
Compensation: $1400-$1600/month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description. Application requirements below.
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Interested in applying for a position?
1) Review our position descriptions
2) Submit an application: Salish Sea Expeditions Education Staff Application
3) Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@salish.org
Returning Salish Sea Expeditions Crew?
1) Complete the Salish Sea Expeditions: Education Staff Application for Returning Crew
2) If it’s been more than two years since you’ve worked at Salish Sea Expeditions, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@salish.org
Salish Sea Expeditions does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
