What are the responsibilities and job description for the Floor & Teen Program Specialist position at themaritimeaquarium?
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
The Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals.
Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Floor and Teen Specialist plays a key role in enhancing both the guest experience and teen volunteer engagement at The Maritime Aquarium. This position oversees the ECHO teen volunteer program while actively supporting daily floor operations, interpretive programming, and staff development. The Specialist ensures high-quality guest interactions by modeling best practices, providing training, and supporting both volunteers and staff in delivering engaging, mission-driven experiences aligned with the Aquarium’s strategic goals.
Required schedule: Tuesday - Saturday. Some holidays, early mornings, and evenings.
This is a full-time position with a salary of $47,936.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversight of the ECHO teen volunteer program including recruitment, onboarding, training, assessments, professional learning, and unique experiences.
- Ensuring the growth and further development of the ECHO teen program, creating efficiency and aligning the program to the Aquarium’s strategic goals.
- Oversight of ECHO program materials, budgets, and purchasing including uniforms, artifacts, cart supplies, and more.
- Be a point person for ECHO Captains ensuring they have the support and resources to be successful.
- Serve as a point person (Captain on Duty) for staff working on the floor ensuring set-up, clean-up, rotations, lunch breaks, and other duties are completed.
- Provide quality narrations at Sea Star Stage, Pinniped Cove, and throughout the Aquarium.
- Assist with onboard and interpretive training for new hires and volunteers.
- Active member of the interpretive team.
- Model best practices for initiating conversations, building empathy, and discussing conservation information.
- Conduct assessments of floor guides ensuring they provide the highest quality of guest engagement and helping to identify additional training.
- Providing hands-on guest engagement activities during special events.
- Participate in departmental meetings and specialty projects as assigned.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Must have an undergraduate degree in science and/or education, plus two to three years experience in guest experience and/or interpretation (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Previous experience working with and supervising teens.
- Must possess an outgoing personality and enthusiastic, flexible attitude, and willingness to learn.
- Must possess a genuine desire to provide exceptional guest engagement; understanding guests' needs and concerns and finding appropriate solutions that exceed their expectations.
- Comfortable working with a diverse population.
- Excellent communication, presentation, organization skills.
- Comfortable and confident with public speaking; ability to communicate effectively in noisy, crowded situations, and with large audiences.
- Ability to multitask and exhibit good judgment.
- Possess the ability to function independently or with a supervisor to respond to guest challenges and expectations.
Desired Qualifications and Skills
- Previous work or experience working with people who have special needs or disabilities.
- Prior experience as an interpreter or educator in an aquarium, zoo, museum, nature center, or other related site.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Work Space.
- Interpretive Guide Certification from The National Association for Interpretation.
- Program development and evaluation experience.
- Multi-lingual skills.
Position Requirements
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to do public speaking on a microphone.
- Move large objects (interactive carts) around the aquarium.
- Position works mainly indoors with seasonal outdoor opportunities.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.
The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
Salary : $47,936