JOB SUMMARY:

The National Aquarium is seeking Guest Engagement Senior Interpreters to be content and program experts within the guest engagement department. They have a strong exhibit floor presence, ensuring that each guest has a world class experience while at the aquarium or on a paid tour. Daily duties include presenting animal encounters, giving microphone talks, leading tours, and running other interpretive programs including the Living Seashore touch pool. Senior Interpreters regularly create the daily guest engagement schedule and lead morning meetings, disseminating important updates to operational teams to allow all staff to provide positive, personalized experiences for guests.

As leaders among Guest Engagement floor staff, Senior Interpreters are experts for all guest engagement interpretive programs and provide training, support, and guidance to other interpreters on the team. They model excellent interpretive and guest service skills, and independently identify and fulfill programmatic needs in the daily schedule. They may regularly handle small animals for encounters as they provide various interpretive programs, including at the Living Seashore touch pool exhibit. All programs, whether paid or unpaid, are crafted to help tell the story of the National Aquarium, the animals that reside there, the people that work there, and to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. This position regularly works a minimum of one weekend day and may work nights and special events several times per month

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

Leads a variety of interpretive programs for aquarium guests, including:

• • Discovery carts, interpretive props, and the animals within the Living Seashore.
  • Animal encounter presentations on or off microphone.
  • Formal interpretive presentations.
  • Informal interpretation.
  • Guided, paid tours.

Assists with the training of other Guest Engagement interpreters.

• • Demonstrates programs and interpretive strategies for other guest engagement interpreters.
  • Observes and provides feedback to peers and communicates feedback to managers.

Ensures smooth day-to-day operations

• • Creates daily schedules for Guest Engagement interpreters.
  • Communicates plan of the day, tours sales and updated animal information to all front-line staff and volunteers.
  • Provides updates of education content and tours availability for website and onsite digital screens as needed.
  • Fills in when needed, showing flexibility to needs of the floor and schedule, including call outs
• Maintains resources for programs, including props, cart materials, krill pops, shoe covers, and buoy art.
• Models and provides world-class guest service to all guests and represents the National Aquarium in a positive way.
• Provides a courteous, professional and supportive approach to work with other departments, understanding we have a shared mission and vision at the National Aquarium.
• Occasionally serves community beyond Aquarium to support community programs and public relations teams.
• Develops, updates, and maintains programs and assists with evaluation studies
• Independently identifies and fulfills daily programmatic needs personally or through scheduling of other interpreters
• Daily contact with diverse and high volume of staff and guests
• Assists the Guest Engagement Managers in working with other aquarium teams to promote guest engagement programs and the National Aquarium in general
• Can communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the Aquarium
• Accountable for coordinating guest education programs including formal and informal interpretation, preparation of written materials, and daily scheduling of staff
• Support company mission.
• Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-2 years’ experience working in a non-formal education or tour/presentational setting preferred
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Strong background in guest/customer service
• Able to work consistently during peak visiting times (i.e. weekends, summer, holidays, etc.)
• Background or degree in science, education, hospitality, theater, or related field preferred
• Efficient in computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• N.A.I. (National Association for Interpretation) certification beneficial
• Must be able to clearly and enthusiastically communicate with aquarium guests and staff
• Must be comfortable and confident with public speaking in many different settings, including at the Living Seashore and on the microphone to large groups
• Must have good decision-making skills and a desire towards interactions with guests for long periods at a time and be willing to work in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment with little supervision
• Help create a positive work environment

About the National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and exceed industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium each year to experience our immersive exhibits, and we reach far more through our science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

Our Mission and Goals

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there. The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Our Values

At the National Aquarium, our core values form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behaviors and actions to achieve our mission.

Connection: We take the time to build lasting connections with each other, our guests, the animals in our care and the nature that surrounds us. We communicate clearly and collaborate readily within and across teams. We engage thoughtfully with our partners. We practice shared accountability.

Curiosity: We center learning and growth in all that we do. Our people are empowered to explore new approaches. We support taking risks. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas. We embrace change.

Optimism: We celebrate the power of positive moments and shared experiences. We seek out opportunities to have fun. We reconnect with our purpose through sharing successes with our colleagues.

Service: We are in service to each other, our guests and our communities. We make intentional decisions and actions for the benefit of the people and animals within our organization.

Wellbeing: We ensure our people and animals have what they need mentally and physically to thrive. We are committed to improving the wellbeing of communities and sharing the healing power of natural for all.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

National Aquarium values an inclusive and diverse environment for all employees, volunteers, and interns. Our goal is to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a candidate pool representative of the variety of communities we serve. With a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Aquarium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and promotes an environment free from all discrimination and harassment. 

In the selection and retention of employees, volunteers, and interns, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical, mental, or sensory disability, sex (including pregnancy or childbirth), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, arrest record, family or caregiver status, HIV status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Our organization is dedicated to this policy with respect to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, training, promotions, performance management, and separation, and general treatment during time of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.