Naturalist/Guide
Job Opening
Location and Duration
Early April or early May through mid to late September in Southeast Alaska
Overview
The Boat Company is seeking Naturalists/Guides for each of its two motor vessels, the M/V Liseron and the M/V Mist Cove.
The Naturalist serves primarily as an educator, excursion coordinator, natural history interpreter and excursion guide. The Naturalist is responsible for offering formal presentations to guests according to their interests, as well as informal narrations whenever whales, dolphins, or other wildlife are sighted from the deck.
Must perform a variety of other duties not directly related to primary educator/interpreter job, as requested by the First Mate. The Naturalist reports to the First Mate.
TBC’s philosophy is that the entire crew compliment works together as a team to accomplish the task of maintaining a safe, efficient and enjoyable workplace, and therefore NO CREW MEMBER IS ABOVE ANY WORK NEEDING TO BE DONE TO MEET THIS OVERALL GOAL.
Primary Responsibilities
Work with the Captain and First Mate to coordinate all off-vessel guest activities.
The Forest Service has established limits on group sizes in many locations, so Naturalist must know and apply group size restrictions in order to help design shore-going activities that stay within the limits.
During cruises, meet with passengers to help organize them for off-vessel excursions.
Guide guests on a wide variety of excursions, including sport fishing, hiking, and beach combing.
After sport fishing activities, assist First Mate in cleaning, filleting, packing, and storing catch, and assuring that guest fish is boxed or bundled, labeled and ready when guests disembark.
Organize and maintain materials for formal presentations and informal discussions on Alaska’s natural history and cultural history. Other crewmembers may contribute to educational programs on board according to their knowledge and ability, but Naturalist will be in charge of the overall effort.
Maintain onboard natural history library.
Assist other crew members with normal maintenance and improvement projects to the extent possible while maintaining a high-quality educational/interpretive program for passengers.
Perform safety/anchor/dock watches as deemed necessary and prudent by the First Mate.
Assist with luggage handling and other turn-around chores in port.
Minimum Requirements
US Citizen, US National or Green Card holder.
Broad knowledge of the geography, geology, flora and fauna, marine biology, climate, history (including pioneer and Native American history), and current issues of Southeast Alaska.
Minimum education should include natural history or life science courses studied at the university level; however, practical work experience in the specialized field of natural history education may substitute.
Must have outgoing and friendly demeanor, able to engage and communicate easily with passengers and crew.
Proficiency with computers and computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, as well as presentation techniques and technologies.
Must pass pre-employment drug screen, reference checks and background check.
Must be capable of demonstrating proficiency in the safe and effective handling and discharging of pepper spray, which is required equipment on all shore excursions where there may be risk of encounters with aggressive bears.
Must have sufficiently acute hearing, eyesight and depth perception to meet the demands of at-sea service. Must be capable of using escape hatches and boarding /disembarking survival craft unassisted.
Must be available for entire season of operation from early April thru mid-September, commencing and completing the term of employment in the Puget Sound area of Washington State.
Desired Skills/Abilities
While not required for this position, Naturalists holding a minimum USCG license as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) will be given preferential consideration.
The Boat Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
