Interpretive Program Specialist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Job Title: Interpretive Program Specialist

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Monterey, CA

Salary: $26.80/hr – $30.80/hr

About the job

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, develop and deliver visitor programming at a variety of venues throughout and beyond the Aquarium, design and deliver high-quality, mission-driven educational enrichments and trainings for volunteer guides and staff; stay informed on marine science, aquarium animals and exhibits; provide supervision, training, coaching and feedback to volunteers; conduct independent projects and perform other duties as required. *Bilingual Position: Core Activities and/or time allocation may change slightly based on departmental workplan and bilingual program offerings as it supports the Aquarium’s strategic plan and will be required to perform some core activities in both English and Spanish as assigned.

Core Activities:

  • Enrichment Delivery: Lead educational sessions on marine science and natural history for volunteers on daily guide shifts applying best practice interpretive and facilitation techniques
    • Recommend and implement modifications to existing learning tools, props, documents, and/or presentation slides based on the needs of the specific audience and the latest research
    • Facilitate in-person and online activities, including leading presentations, engaging volunteers of various ages and learning levels, answering volunteer questions, assessing and adjusting in the moment based on the developmental and learning needs of the specific audience using a dialogic approach
  • Program Delivery: Deliver scheduled programs to a wide variety of MBA guests/groups/VIPS/Naturalists including but not limited to Auditorium Programs (holding up to 275 guests) and presentations, Tours and Feeding Narrations. Delivery of programs include:
    • Scripted presentations, answering questions from guests
    • Live narrations and interpretations of aquarium exhibits and activities
    • Hour + interactive tours for public, donors and VIPs
  • Public Program Development: Contribute to program development (new or existing) by serving on a development team or:
    • Offering ideas during ideation and development
    • Piloting programs with feedback
    • Creating training materials for new programs
  • Volunteer Guide Program Development: Lead curriculum development with and collaborate with colleagues to create, test, and iterate short- and long-term enrichments that include diversified education strategies and learning modalities. Activities include:
    • Front-end audience evaluation and research to understand the needs of the guest facing volunteers and staff
    • The identification of existing and needed curriculum for interpretive programs to meet stated learning goals
    • The creation of training content and program agendas with estimated timing and materials
    • Create and/or gather necessary learning tools, props, documents, and/or presentation slides
  • Provide Volunteer Guide Coaching and Feedback by:
    • Bolstering and encouraging volunteers’ engagement with the mission and the institution
    • Supporting volunteers in their own learning/development goals and with their unique tasks (scheduling, training etc.)
    • Facilitating and delivering performance-based coaching based on information gathered from guests’ comments, audience research, staff feedback and personal observations.
  • Supervise Volunteer Guides:
    • Oversee daily volunteer guide shift operational duties including scheduling, opening/closing, daily operational updates, volunteer guide deployment, and maximizing volunteer/guests’ interaction
  • Project coordination: coordinate departmental projects e.g. creating new schedules and systems, creating training and coaching materials, data tracking systems and reporting, departmental event planning, evaluations.
  • Provide daily Operations support as needed (e.g., ticket processing, queue management, cashier, etc.).
  • Stay informed on the latest science, research, opinions, strategies, and academic standards with respect to informal learning.
  • Contribute to existing and recommend evaluation tools, ensuring protocols are maintained, such as focus groups and/or interviews.
  • Participate on various Aquarium committees, sub committees, or focus group (Sustainability, Safety, Training, DEI, Animal H&W, Ops, etc.), providing input and perspective as an active committee member.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

  • Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in natural science, formal or informal education or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
  • At least three years’ experience delivering educational, theatrical, or related programming in an informal setting
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate educational programs in a dialogic, fun, scientifically accurate, and engaging manner
  • Demonstrated ability to develop marine science training materials for non-science professionals
  • Demonstrated success in building and maintaining positive learning environments, including strong team building skills
  • Ability to build and maintain a positive environment that encourages strong relationships among and between volunteers and staff
  • Ability to maintain and model MBA and AZA standards
  • Informal science education experience, public speaking, storytelling, theatrical training/experience or NAI interpretive certification
  • Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with a variety of types of professionals, interns and volunteers of various ages
  • Strong understanding of marine science content and conservation principles
  • Able to adapt to departmental, systematic and programmatic changes and work in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to contribute to multiple simultaneous projects
  • Must work weekends and holidays
  • Able to write clearly, concisely, and fluently in English
  • Experience and comfort in the use of technology as an educational tool
  • Oral and written fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred
  • Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values

Bilingual Position

  • Bilingual/bicultural with high level English and Spanish fluency, both written and verbal
  • At least 3 years experience delivering English and Spanish bilingual educational, theatrical, or related programming in an informal setting

Hourly Compensation Range:

$26.83 $30.77 USD per hour. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.

Apply via LinkedIn