Title: Sea Center Programs Coordinator
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Schedule: Tuesday–Saturday
Department: Sea Center
Reports To: Sea Center Programs Manager
Wage Band: Coordinator Level I
Pay Range: $23.00 - $26.00/per hour*

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

Position Summary: The Sea Center Programs Coordinator supports the delivery, preparation, and logistics of all K–12 school programs and summer camp experiences at the Sea Center. The position focuses on inquiry-based marine science education through field trips, supports seasonal camps, and occasional support of community events. This role collaborates closely with education staff, volunteers, and the Sea Center Programs Manager to ensure a consistent, professional, and engaging visitor experience for students, teachers, families, and guests.

Key Responsibilities:

School Programs Coordination

• Coordinate and support the daily delivery of K–12 marine science school programs at the Sea Center.
• Serve as a lead facilitator for student groups during field trips and assist with program instruction on-site and at the beach.
• Manage scheduling, confirmations, and communication with teachers and school groups via phone, email, and online platforms.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and prepare classrooms and field materials before each program.
• Assist in the review and refinement of school program curricula with an emphasis on NGSS-aligned and experiential learning approaches.
• Track participation statistics and ensure accurate data entry for reporting and evaluation purposes.

Nature Adventures Camp Support

• Assist in the preparation and delivery of Sea Center-based Nature Adventures (NA) Camps & Classes during seasonal sessions.
• Supervise campers and support instructional staff on-site, including extended care and participant check-in/out.
• Act as point of contact for guardians when Programs Manager is unavailable.
• Collaborate on curriculum delivery and refinement for marine science–focused camp sessions.
• Help manage classroom cleanliness, inventory, and camp materials.
• Provide occasional backup instruction and support during staff absences.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Coordinate with the Naturalist & Volunteer Manager to train and support volunteers assisting with school and camp programs.
• Represent the Sea Center during outreach and education events as needed.
• Occasionally assist with community events hosted at the Sea Center (e.g., World Oceans Day).
• Maintain up-to-date records and schedules for all Sea Center school and camp programs.
• Monitor program capacity and assist in maintaining staffing and space constraints in collaboration with the Programs Manager.
• Provide excellent customer service to guests, students, families, and teachers.
• Contribute to opening/closing procedures, floor staffing, and front desk coverage as needed.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests, and the community.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Proven experience as an educator in classroom, museum, or informal science settings.
• Associate’s degree or higher in marine science or related field.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with attention to detail and professionalism.
• Availability Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM, with flexibility for occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Ability to interact with children ages 4–12 and create positive learning experiences.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced, and public-facing environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with NGSS, inquiry-based learning, and experiential teaching methods.
• Knowledge of marine biology, ocean science, and coastal ecosystems.
• Experience with education databases or online registration platforms.
• Spanish fluency (written and oral) a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a collaborative team.

Work Environment:

• Frequent indoor/outdoor instruction including classroom, exhibit floor, and beach environments.
• Daily contact with children, educators, and the general public.
• Regular standing, walking, lifting (up to 30 lbs.), bending, and use of stairs.
• Office work includes computer, phone, and database use.
• Must be comfortable working in varied weather conditions during outdoor instruction.

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.

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.