At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all backgrounds into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.
Priority deadline for applications is February 23, 2026. Due to the volume of incoming applications, the role may be closed earlier than February 23, 2026.
Job Summary:
Under direct supervision, deliver visitor programming at a variety of venues throughout and beyond the Aquarium; deliver high-quality, culturally responsive, mission-driven educational enrichments and trainings for volunteer guides and staff; stay informed on marine science, aquarium animals and exhibits; with guidance, provide training, coaching and feedback to staff and volunteers; support team projects and perform other duties as required.
Core Activities:
- Enrichment Delivery: educational sessions on marine science and natural history for volunteers on daily guide shifts applying best practices in interpretive and facilitation techniques.
- Develop a full understanding of and expertise in the topic and subject matter presented.
- Facilitate in-person and online activities, including leading presentations, engaging volunteers of various cultures, ages, and learning levels, answering volunteer questions.
- Program Delivery: deliver scheduled programs to a wide variety of MBA guests/groups/VIPs/Naturalists including but not limited to Auditorium Programs (holding up to 275 guests) and presentations, tours and feeding narrations. Delivery of programs include:
- Scripted presentations, answering questions from guests.
- Live narrations and interpretations of aquarium exhibits and activities.
- Hour + interactive tours for public, donors, and VIPs.
- Web, social, and other media live and recorded programs.
- Public Program Development: contribute to program development (new or existing) by:
- Offer ideas during ideation and development.
- Pilot programs with feedback.
- Create training materials for new programs.
- Volunteer Guide Program Development: assist with the development of new enrichment curriculum including gathering materials, writing up supporting documents, gathering necessary learning tools, props, and/or presentation slides, contributing to activity ideas and logistics.
- Volunteer Coaching and Training (with guidance and support from leadership)
- Bolster and encourage volunteers' engagement with the mission and the institution.
- Hold volunteers accountable to MBA and AZA standards through coaching and feedback.
- Support volunteers in their own learning/development goals and with their unique tasks (scheduling, training, etc.).
- Volunteer Guide Shift Operational Support
- Actively support volunteer guide shift operational duties including scheduling, opening/closing, daily operational updates, volunteer guide deployment, and maximizing volunteer/guests' interactions.
- Provide daily Operations support as needed (e.g., ticket processing, queue management, cashier, etc.).
- Stay informed on the latest science, research, opinions, culturally responsive strategies, and academic standards with respect to informal learning.
- Implement existing evaluation tools, ensuring protocols are maintained, such as focus groups and/or interviews.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):
- Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in natural science, formal or informal education or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- At least three years' experience delivering educational, theatrical, or related programming in an informal setting.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate education programs in dialogic, fund, scientifically accurate, and engaging manner.
- Demonstrated ability to develop marine science training materials for non-science professionals.
- Demonstrated success in building and maintaining positive learning environments, including strong team building skills.
- Ability to build and maintain a positive environment that encourages strong relationships among and between volunteers and staff.
- Ability to maintain and model MBA and AZA standards.
- Informal science education experience, public speaking, storytelling, theatrical training/experience or NAI Interpretive certification.
- Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with a variety of types of professionals, interns, and volunteers of various ages.
- Strong understanding of marine science content and conservation principles.
- Able to adapt to departmental, systematic, and programmatic changes and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to contribute to multiple simultaneous projects.
- Must work weekends and holidays.
- Ability to tend to the ethical responsibilities required by complex multi cultural environments.
- Experience and comfort int he use of technology as an educational tool.
- Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium's Core Values
- Bilingual preferred: bilingual/bicultural with high level English and Spanish fluency, both written and verbal
Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:
- Typical office equipment
- Constant sitting, standing, walking, bending
- Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Typical office environment, main aquarium and exhibits, occasional offsite events
Hourly Compensation Range:
$25.00- $28.37 USD per hour. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.
