Job/Internship/Volunteer Opportunities

Dream of working with The Whale Museum? Here are some opportunities:

Employment Opportunities 

Position: Soundwatch/Be Whale Wise Coordinator. Year-round FT employment includes benefits. http://www.whalemuseum.org/programs/soundwatch/soundwatch.html 

Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, USA

Established in 1979 as the first U.S. museum dedicated to whales living in the wild, The Whale Museum (TWM) promotes stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. The Soundwatch Boater Education Program was initiated in 1993 by TWM to reduce disturbances to marine wildlife caused by irresponsible boater behaviors. This innovative program educates boaters on guidelines and regulations for marine wildlife through shore-based education, reinforces the learning experience through on–the-water educational patrols, monitors vessel activities to characterize vessel trends, and evaluate existing guidelines and laws. The main focus of our work is the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) but there are other marine mammal species of importance in our region, including Transient killer whales, Minke whales, Humpback whales, Fin whales, Harbor porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and many other cetacean and pinniped species.  A key component of Soundwatch is the transboundary Be Whale Wise Program.

The Coordinator oversees all aspects of the Soundwatch and Be Whale Wise Programs including, but not limited to: coordination of seasonal field operations; small vessel operations/maintenance, Be Whale Wise education/outreach on marine stewardship; maintenance of the program long-term data sets and database; preparation of program reports; training, mentoring and coordination of volunteers, interns and seasonal contract employees; assistance with grant writing/fund raising; collaborate with partner monitoring programs, the whale watch industry and federal and state marine mammal management and enforcement teams.  The successful candidate should understand and have experience with U.S. and Canadian recovery priorities related to the endangered SRKWs. The Coordinator reports to TWM Executive Director and works cooperatively with other museum staff.  This position is classed as year-round, full-time Management/Administrative with field work responsibilities.

The successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s Degree plus 7 years’ experience in a relevant field, specifically marine mammal research in the wild
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in small vessel operations, with previous experience operating around marine wildlife. Familiarity with VHF radio use and etiquette. Washington State Boater License required
• Experience in education and/or outreach
• Strong knowledge of marine ecosystems, marine mammal biology and natural history, specifically the endangered SRKWs and the Salish Sea
• Strong verbal and written communication skills necessary for public interaction, conflict resolution, department planning, grant writing and project management experience
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills, able to interact effectively with staff & board, interns/volunteers, visitors, members, and the public
• Ability to multi-task and work flexible schedule, specifically some weekends and evenings
• Ability to collect and synthesize information; effective problem solving skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to lift 40 lbs. or more and to stand for long periods of time
• Excellent computer/technological skills (i.e., database management, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office)

Salary range is $63,000-68,000 (varies based on experience, relocation support needs and start date). Benefit package includes: Health Care (medical, vision, dental), Simple IRA Retirement Plan Contribution, Paid Time Off and Holidays.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a PDF file containing your letter of interest, resume and at least three references. Your letter of interest must address (1) examples of accomplishments to illustrate your experience for this role; (2) your philosophy about the position; and (3) insight into what draws you to The Whale Museum’s mission at this time in your career.   Please Note: International applicants required to have approved Visa and documentation to work in the U.S. at the time of submission. Please email your PDF package to: Jenny L. Atkinson, Executive Director, The Whale Museum – email: Jenny@whalemuseum.org

Equal Opportunity Employer. Hiring decisions are not made based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected group status.

The duties listed are to give prospective applicants a better understanding of the position. This is not a comprehensive list of job duties.

Position open: November 7, 2023. Deadline: Open until position is filled.

Please send to: Jenny L. Atkinson, Executive Director, The Whale Museum, P. O. Box 945, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or email: jenny@whalemuseum.org

Position: Soundwatch Boater Education Program - 2024 Seasonal Vessel Operator/Educator

The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking a vessel operator for the 2024 summer field season. Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. The Soundwatch program mission is to reduce vessel disturbance to marine wildlife, particularly the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch is looking for vessel operators/educators to carry out program objectives; educate boaters on best practices for viewing marine wildlife before they leave the shore; reinforce the learning experience in the actual context where disturbances take place; develop and evaluate community-based voluntary guidelines; and provide a scientific platform to monitor vessel activities around marine mammals. To learn more, please visit our website and read Soundwatch’s most recent Contract Report and publications.

Vessel operators/educators will conduct seasonal vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and collect data while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered killer whales and other marine wildlife. The data is used to promote better boater compliance and to inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel laws and guidelines. 

Vessel operators/educators report to the Soundwatch Program Coordinator and work cooperatively with other museum staff, program interns and volunteers. This position is classed as Seasonal Field Work Contractor, June-September. Hourly wage for this position is commensurate with experience and starts at $25.00/hour.

VESSEL OPERATOR/EDUCATOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Seasonal field operations:

• Conduct full- or half-day on-the-water educational patrols and monitoring of whale watch activities May-September.
• Maintain daily boat patrol protocols and data collection procedures on whale watching and marine wildlife viewing trends, guideline compliance measurements and educational materials distribution.
• Prevent wildlife disturbance by intercepting boaters before they reach wildlife areas. 
• Monitor activities within San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area including recreational and fishing pressure in reserve areas, including National Wildlife Refuge Areas and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Biological Preserve Areas.
• Maintain equipment and collection materials.
• Work with Soundwatch volunteers and interns.
• Maintain communications with whale research and commercial whale-watch community.
• Report marine mammal strandings to the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Small Vessel operations: 

• Operate 17’-20’ outboard vessels.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor boat/engine repair, maintain vessel/engine/operation and safety equipment, communicate with coordinator and/or mechanic for troubleshooting advice, provide vessel operation briefing to interns and volunteers.

Education/Outreach on marine stewardship:

• Distribution of educational materials on-the-water, regional boating facilities and organizations.
• Participate in local education and outreach events.

Soundwatch field data-entry:

• Assist with field season data entry. Assist with the update of annual commercial whale watch industry information and ID book.
• Assist with training of volunteers and interns. Keep track of volunteer activities for future reporting.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in marine/wildlife sciences.
• Valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license (for the entirety of their position) and CPR/First Aid certification.
• A Washington state boater license.
• Minimum 3 years of small vessel operation with experience operating around marine wildlife.
• Familiarity with recovery priorities related to endangered SRKWs.
• Soundwatch operates under a NOAA NMFS research permit which requires vessel operator candidates to have relevant field experience. The successful candidate must be approved for operation by NMFS as a condition for hiring.

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Please include any start/end dates and passport status.

Submit application materials via email as one PDF.

Please include in your subject line: Soundwatch Vessel Operator/Educator Application (Last Name).

Soundwatch Vessel Driver/Educator should plan to be in place by May 1, 2024 (Exact start date negotiable). Active review of submitted applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Alanna Frayne, Soundwatch Boater Education Program Coordinator
alanna@whalemuseum.org. Please feel free to contact with any questions.

 

Internship Opportunities

Position: Soundwatch Boater Education Program - 2024 Summer Internship Openings

The Soundwatch Boater Education Program is seeking interns for the 2024 summer field season. Soundwatch is a research, education and monitoring program operated by The Whale Museum (TWM), a not-for-profit organization located in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington State. The Soundwatch program mission is to reduce vessel disturbance to marine wildlife, particularly the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, in the Salish Sea region of Washington State (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Soundwatch is looking for three interns to help conduct vessel patrols, educate boaters on regional/federal Be Whale Wise guidelines and regulations, and collect data while monitoring vessel activity around whales. Data from this critical program characterizes vessel activity trends around endangered killer whales and other marine wildlife. The data is used to promote better boater compliance and to inform marine mammal management strategies such as state and federal vessel laws and guidelines. To learn more, please visit our website and read Soundwatch’s most recent Contract Report and publications.

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform a variety of tasks including data recording and photography in the field aboard small research vessels and in a research office setting.
• Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
• Interact with the public during education and outreach events.
• Be able to spend long hours on the water aboard a small vessel, sometimes in adverse seasonal conditions. Field days occur four to five times a week and may exceed eight hours per day.

Internship is located in Friday Harbor, Washington. Interns are responsible for their own housing and having a mode of transportation. This position provides a stipend to offset housing costs. Once accepted, TWM staff will be able to assist interns in locating suitable housing options.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

• Commit to at least 12 weeks between May and September.
• Be able to work approximately 35-40 hours per week, Mon-Sun.
• At least 18 years of age, physically fit (able to lift 40 lbs.), able to swim, and not easily susceptible to seasickness. This position requires extensive boating aboard small vessels and is not suitable for those prone to seasickness.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and Google Workspace.
• Valid US passport or an enhanced driver's license (for the entirety of their position) and CPR/First Aid certification. A state boater license or equivalent safe boating card is encouraged but not required.
• Preference will be given to undergraduates or recent graduates in the marine or wildlife sciences.
• Knowledge of the area and Southern Resident killer whales is preferred but not required.
• Wildlife photography experience is a plus but not required.

HOW TO APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP POSITION:

Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references. Be sure to include what dates you can start/end.

Submit application materials via email as one PDF if possible.

Please include in your subject line: Soundwatch Internship Application (Last Name).

Active review of applications will begin immediately and continue until 01 Dec 2023 or until positions are filled, with final selections made before 01 Feb 2024.

PLEASE SEND APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:
Alanna Frayne, Soundwatch Boater Education Program Coordinator
alanna@whalemuseum.org.  Feel free to contact with any questions.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Whale Museum has other numerous year-round and seasonal volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering for us, click here to download the Volunteer Questionnaire, which has more information about specific opportunities. Email completed questionnaires to Tracie and we will be in touch shortly!

Volunteer Museum Docent:

The Whale Museum's Exhibit Hall is open daily. Each year, approximately 30,000 people visit. We are looking for volunteer docents! If you are interested in learning more or spending time telling visitors about the Salish Sea and the amazing marine life therein, please email Tracie.