Title: Sea Center Naturalist 

Classification: Part-Time, Non-Exempt*

Compensation: $20.80 per hour 

Department: Sea Center 

Reports To: Sea Center Naturalist and Volunteer Program Manager 

Revised: February 2024
 

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. 

Position Summary: Assists in coordinating day-to-day operations of exhibit areas at the Sea Center, including interpreting Sea Center Exhibits as they relate to the Santa Barbara Channel. Inspire ocean stewardship among visitors and volunteers. Monitor exhibits, assist with volunteer supervision and scheduling, deliver quality customer service, clean aquarium glass, and monitor safety issues. Serves as an exhibit interpreter and delivers educational programing to visitors. Enriches the volunteer experience by providing support throughout the day, assisting with exhibit interpretation training, and leading an advanced volunteer training opportunity. Works collaboratively with all Sea Center staff to achieve overall Sea Center objectives.
 

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Monitors exhibit areas by routinely walking through the Sea Center checking on volunteers, regular spot-cleaning exhibit tanks, enriching the guest experience with additional exhibit interpretation and interaction. 
• Serves as a point of contact for volunteers to call on throughout the day if assistance is needed, and to act as a source of marine biology knowledge and science communication tips for volunteers. 
• Assists the Volunteer Coordinator with volunteer scheduling by answering phone calls, checking and responding to emails, and recording information in google sheets and Volgistics. 
• Provides volunteers with orientation and review of exhibits and operational procedures. 
• Under the direction of the Naturalist and Volunteer manager develops and leads advanced volunteer training opportunities and other public programming. 
• Works in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator to continually develop volunteer training resources and assist with in-person volunteer training. 
• Responsible for daily opening and closing routines for the Sea Center exhibit areas. 
• Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards visitors and fellow staff. 
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive knowledge of marine science content and the best practices of science interpretation. 
• Participates as an effective, responsible, and energetic team member. 
• Assists with crowd control, lifting and placing stanchions, setting up and taking down pop-up tents. 
• Assists with larger cleaning projects, using hoses, power tools, lifting buckets of water 
• Maintains safe and clean exhibits, programs, and workspace. 
• Occasionally staff offsite event booths representing the Sea Center. 
• Assists with other Sea Center needs and duties, as assigned; such as periodic work at the admissions counter, helping merchandise the store, exhibit reorganization etc. 
• Contribute to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center. 
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community. 

Essential Requirements: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with varied individuals and groups. 
• Strong organizational skills, with a proven track record as an effective team member. 
• Excellent customer service and science communication skills. 
• Ability to speak in public and organize presentations. 
• Able to assist with saltwater system maintenance and emergencies under the direction of the Aquarist. 
• Background in marine science. 
• MS Office skills. 
• Bilingual fluency a plus. 
• Scuba Certification a plus. 
• Available to work weekends, evenings, and occasional holidays. 
• Schedule consists of 2 days per week, with additional days as needed. (Must be available on Mondays). *

Work Environment: 

• Aquarium environment daily contact with Saltwater and scientific instruments. 
• Computer and phone work (repetitive movement – typing). 
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending and climbing stairs with occasional lifting (20-40 lbs.). 
• Frequent spot-cleaning on exhibits (repetitive movement – wiping tank exteriors with a soft cloth). 
• Walking on the wharf to get to the Sea Center (walking on uneven surfaces) offsite parking. 

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.