Lead Habitat Interpreter

Job Overview: The Lead Habitat Interpreter serves as a senior frontline interpreter and shift-level peer leader within Mystic Aquarium's habitat interpretation team. Reporting to the Supervisor, Habitat Interpretation, this role models interpretive excellence across all habitat areas while mentoring fellow interpreters, supporting onboarding, and serving as an in-the-moment quality coach.

• The Lead Habitat Interpreter is expected to have working mastery across the Aquarium's full habitat footprint and acts as a key point of escalation during operating hours, helping ensure consistent, high-quality guest experiences that advance Mystic Aquarium's education and conservation mission.

Primary Functions:

• Interpretive Excellence and Cross-Area Mastery
• Deliver high-quality, thematic interpretive programming across all interpretive areas including marine mammal, bird, fish, and invertebrate habitats to consistently exceed institutional standards.
• Maintain mastery-level knowledge of habitats, animal collection, programs, and institutional messaging across the full Aquarium footprint.
• Apply audience-centered facilitation techniques and adapt programs in real time to suit audience composition, attention, and operational conditions.
• Model best practices in thematic interpretation, connecting tangible resources to intangible meanings to inspire conservation action.

Peer Mentorship and Quality Coaching

• Provide informal coaching, real-time feedback, and side-by-side mentorship to Habitat Interpreters, seasonal staff, and volunteers, reinforcing interpretive technique, content accuracy, and guest engagement standards.
• Support onboarding of new staff and volunteers by demonstrating workflows, modeling guest interactions, and answering operational questions in real time.
• Identify staff development needs and elevate them to the Supervisor for inclusion in formal coaching, training, or performance discussions.
• Serve as a peer role model for professional conduct, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Foster a positive, inclusive team culture that supports interpretive growth and high performance.

Shift Coordination and Operations

• Serve as the day-of point person for assigned shifts, coordinating staff coverage across habitats and adjusting deployment in response to weather, guest volume, or operational needs.
• Use radios with proper etiquette to coordinate interpretive, husbandry, and operations activity across campus.
• Provide a first point of escalation for guest issues, animal welfare concerns, and habitat-level operational challenges, escalating to the Supervisor as needed.
• Support the Supervisor in monitoring program quality, identifying coverage gaps, and recommending schedule or staffing adjustments; the Supervisor retains final scheduling authority.
• Maintain cleanliness, presentation, and safety standards across interpretive areas during operating shifts.

Animal Welfare, Safety, and Emergency Response

• Monitor habitats and visitor behavior to enforce safety guidelines and animal welfare protocols consistently across all interpretive areas.
• Respond as a senior responder to emergency situations involving guests, animals, or facilities, following institutional procedures and supporting peer responders.
• Support animal care staff with husbandry tasks, training sessions, behavioral observations, and enrichment across all habitat areas, as assigned.
• Assist with diet preparation, habitat maintenance, and basic animal care tasks in accordance with federal, state, and institutional husbandry guidelines.
• Maintain accurate records, behavioral data, and operational documentation as required.

Program Support and Continuous Improvement

• Support the Supervisor in developing, piloting, and refining new interpretive programs, scripts, and seasonal content.
• Surface guest feedback, observed trends, and quality concerns to inform program improvements and ongoing staff development.
• Contribute floor-level observations to evaluation activities and data-informed program improvements.
• Support after-hours events, special programs, and seasonal initiatives as scheduled.
• Continue professional development in interpretation, leadership, and animal husbandry through institutional and external training opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Education & Experience: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Marine Science, Biology, Environmental Education, Natural Resources, or related field preferred. Minimum of 2–3 years of progressive experience in public engagement at an aquarium, zoo, museum, nature center, or similar informal education setting, including at least one year delivering interpretive programs. An equitable mix of education and experience will be considered.
• Interpretive Excellence: Demonstrated mastery of thematic, audience-centered interpretation and confidence delivering programs to large and diverse audiences. NAI Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) preferred, or willingness to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• Peer Leadership: Experience mentoring, coaching, or leading peers (staff and volunteers) in a team setting, with strong ability to provide constructive feedback and model professional standards. Formal supervisory experience is not required.
• Marine Science Content Expertise: Strong working knowledge of aquatic ecology, marine animal behavior, natural history, and conservation issues, with the ability to translate complex science into accessible messages for diverse audiences.
• Animal Welfare & Safety Knowledge: Solid understanding of animal handling protocols, touch pool management, and guest safety practices in alignment with AZA standards. Comfortable enforcing safety protocols consistently across multiple habitat types.
• Communication & Coordination: Excellent verbal and written communication, with strong ability to coordinate cross-functional activity via radio, in-person handoffs, and digital communication tools.
• Technology Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, scheduling software, and data collection tools. Comfort learning new technologies that support program delivery and quality monitoring.
• Schedule Flexibility: Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime to support Aquarium operations and special events.
• Mission Alignment: Demonstrated commitment to Mystic Aquarium's mission of conservation, education, and research. Bilingual ability, particularly Spanish, is preferred.
• Preferred Additional Skills: SCUBA certification with ability to pass a dive physical; swim test certification; experience supporting volunteer programs.

Physical Demands:

• This role operates in both indoor and outdoor aquarium environments, requiring the ability to stand and walk for extended periods while delivering programs and monitoring habitat areas.
• The position demands physical stamina to work full shifts in varied weather conditions including heat, cold, humidity, rain, and snow.
• Employees must be able to navigate potentially wet or slick surfaces around water features and habitats, ascend and descend stairs frequently, and maintain alertness in dynamic visitor environments.
• This role will work in loud environments with heavy crowds. 
• The role requires lifting and carrying materials up to 25 pounds, bending and reaching for habitat maintenance and animal care tasks, and sustained voice projection during presentations and guest interactions.
• Employees must be comfortable working around and near water, including touch pools and open tank habitats, and be able to respond quickly to emergency situations requiring physical agility.
• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.
• Employment with this organization is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable laws.
• This organization is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of this position.
• If you require an accommodation to complete an application, please contact (860) 572-5955 and ask to speak with the recruitment department.
• This position may require background checks and reference verification as part of the hiring process.