Job Openings
Our next hiring season begins Fall 2018 for our Spring 2019 season, starting March 2019. We also accept applications year round. Please see below for additional details.
Spring dates: March – June
Compensation: $1,400-$2,200/month; depending on position and experience
We hire nautical and marine scientist educators for our spring (~late Feb-mid June) + fall (~Sep-Oct) sailing season to teach in the classroom and aboard the sailing vessel Carlyn. There are typically 6 crew members on all expeditions. The captain, mate and deckhand oversee ship operations and nautical instruction, while one to two marine science educators guide student research efforts. The program coordinator, responsible for oversight of the entire experience, facilitates each trip and assists in the science program. The galley + logistics coordinator is in charge of preparing lunches for the students and crew and coordinating meals and supplies for the expeditions. Multi-day trips with students range from 3- to 5-days where each night the vessel is either docked or anchored. Each season we also have a number of 4-6 hour day sails with students, 2-4 hour promotional public sails and transits between ports within the Puget Sound.
Integral to the success of Salish Sea Expeditions is a crew full of knowledgeable, curious, enthusiastic, and self-motivated educators! 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 are interested in joining our team, please take a look at our job descriptions descriptions below. Our primary hiring period is December for the following spring season, though we accept applications year-round and will keep your resume on file if your desired position is not currently available.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Seasonal positions:
- Captain
- Mate
- Deckhand
- Program Coordinator
- Marine Science Educator
- Galley +Logistics Coordinator
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 onboad the vessel during expeditions. The Captain works directly with the Program Coordinator and other crewmembers to plan the timing, daily flow, and destinations of the expedition.
Qualifications
- 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 details
Mate
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.
Qualifications:
- 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
Compensation: $1500-$1800 per month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description + application details
Deckhand
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.
Qualifications
- Sailing experience
- Demonstrated ability to direct/instruct students in sailing while maintaining a safe work environment
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Current first aid/CPR.
- 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
Compensation: $1400-$1600 per month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description + application details
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 crewmembers 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.
Qualifications
- 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
Compensation: $1500-$1600/month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description + application details
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.
Qualifications
- BA/BS 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
- Current first aid/CPR.
- 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
Compensation: $1400-$1600/month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description + application details
Galley +Logistics Coordinator
The Galley + Logistics 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.
Qualifications
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Time management, responsibility and flexibility a must
- Experience in food service + interest in cooking
- Experience working with 10-16 year olds
- Current first aid/CPR.
- Ability to lift an 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
Compensation: $1400-$1600/month, depending on experience, full room, partial board and sea time.
Complete job description + application details
Interested in applying for a position?
Follow the above links for complete job descriptions + application details. To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to:
OR
Program Manager
Salish Sea Expeditions
1257 Patmos Lane N.W.
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Salish Sea Expeditions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to provide opportunities for students in grades 5-12 to design and conduct real scientific research on the waters of the Salish Sea and within their local watersheds. For over 19 years 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.
Salish provides equal opportunity employment to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment-related decisions are based upon valid job-related factors. It is the policy of Salish Sea Expeditions to make hiring and personnel decisions without regard to race, color, age, sex, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification.
