Principal Marine Science Instructor

Weekly Position: June 23 to August 15, eight (8) One Week Marine Science Topic Sessions (at the bottom
of this page we refer to where to find detailed descriptions).
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday starting at 7:45 am with July 4 Holiday work required
Compensation/Week: $1,950.00 (includes documented 10 hours Topic prep-time for each topic with
curriculum and list of materials submitted to the Executive Director two (2) weeks prior to teaching. Applicable
to professional contact hours as allowed.



The mission of the Boothbay Sea and Science Center is the advancement of sailing, boating and ocean sciences
by minimizing economic and physical obstacles and further to develop independence, self-confidence,
teamwork and volunteerism in the participants. To inspire individuals to strengthen themselves and their
community through the enjoyment of the sea. BSSC’s vision is to provide a community sea and
science education center that offers equal and affordable access to the waterfront for youth through sailing,
boating, and marine science experiential learning programs and activities not provided by other regional
organizations.

BSSC is seeking a teacher or professional with teaching experience to teach weekly marine science topics
to youth from ages 5 to 17 in a hybrid classroom and experiential outdoor settings. This position will be
responsible for implementing BSSC’s marine science curriculum of related educational topics with assistance
from other BSSC sailing and science staff. The Principal Marine Science Instructor will be responsible for
further developing and delivering existing marine science curriculum on a day to day basis during each week
with the expectation of incorporating a daily age sensitive hands-on experiential learning component related
to the topic taught during that weekly program. This position is responsible for co-leading the weekly staff
meeting with the Principal Waterfront Instructor to assign tasks and schedule activities; enforcing BSSC
policies and safety procedures; managing day to day operations related to implementing the marine science
curricula and activities in the classroom or out on the water. This position will be responsible for submitting
updated and finalized curriculum two weeks prior to start and a written summary of highlights at the end of
each week for contribution to articles for the local papers and social media.

• See topics and corresponding weeks on pages 4 and 5 of the Principal Marine Science Instructor Application.

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Expectations and Responsibilities:

• 10 hours of prep and final curriculum submitted 2 weeks prior to start date;
• 40 hours of teaching time of marine science curriculum topic(s), that includes daily hands on

Instructor, Sailing Instructors, Science Instructors, and Apprentices to coordinate and schedule
on and off the water activities.

• Oversee maintenance of all science equipment including daily cleaning, document necessary

• Attends BSSC two-week staff orientation. (negotiable)
• Attends all BSSC staff meetings and assist with regularly scheduled BSSC events during

employment, including but not limited to Friday cookouts, evening socials, fundraising events,
and any other activities that enhances family participation.

• Completes and submits to the Executive Director Participant Evaluations, updated curriculums,

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching Certification or equivalent
• Master’s degree or other in marine science, Biology, Oceanography or a related Science
• SafeSport Certification (www.ussailing.org)
• National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Boat Safety (www.boatus.org/maine/)
  

Physical Requirements:
Tasks involve physical effort - walking (up to 2 miles), lifting (approximately 10 – 20 pounds), swimming, agility and
balance (transferring from boat to boat, dock to boat and back to) or other physical activities. Manual dexterity in the
use of fingers, limbs or body in the operation of boats, gardening and teaching equipment; may involve extended
periods of standing (i.e. touch tank, tidepools).

Environmental Requirements:
Tasks are regularly performed with exposure to environmental conditions (i.e. dirt, wind, cold, rain, seawater, insects).

Other:
All BSSC staff are required to undergo a mandatory background check and agree to the terms and conditions
of BSSC’s Code of Conduct (COC) - and is always mindful that all staff and participants are adhering to the
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same standards of behavior set forth in the COC document. BSSC staff are required to attend staff orientation
that includes Sexual Harassment Prevention and Implicit Bias training programs. The BSSC has a zero-
tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol during work hours. Any such use during the workday or during a trip
with participants will result in immediate termination of the employment contract and suspension of further
payments/salary from the Boothbay Sea and Science Center.

Application for Employment: www.boothbayseaandsciencecenter.org

Contact: Please send a cover letter, resume, and the BSSC Application for Employment that includes 3
references to: Pauline Dion; info@boothbayseaandsciencecenter.org

SUMMER 2025
Weekly Topics

Each topic includes weather forecasting, basic sailing and boating skills, local marine life, and responsible marine
stewardship.

Week 1: June 16 – June 20
Ship to Shore: Discovering BSSC
Students will experience a sampling of BSSC’s summer 2025 on and off the water program. Students will
explore tide pools, learn about what lies between the surface and the seafloor, sail, row, kayak, fish, and get
wet all while having tons of fun!

Week 2: June 23 – June 27
Scopes and Boats
Students will learn about how a boat floats, build their own model boat, and gain an understanding of the
types of boats used at BSSC. Students will use scientific equipment, boats, and seamanship skills to learn how
ocean data can change based on sampling techniques and location. Students will also learn about the
different types of data that can be collected in the rocky intertidal or at the beach and the best way to
interpret and display that data. Includes a field trip and/or guest speaker. (TBD)

Week 3: June 30 – July 4
Day to Day
Students will learn about clouds and the typical weather that they produce. Students will gain a better understanding of
the difference between climate and weather and human impact. We will talk about how weather influences day-to-day
activity on and off the water at BSSC and make weather predictions using the clouds. In this session students will also
gain a better understanding of the many ways that they are connected to the ocean through the air that they breathe,
the food that they eat, and the CO2 that they create. Includes guest speaker. (TBD)

Week 4: July 7 – July 11
Top to Bottom
Students will gain a better understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic Regions and the impact that sea level rise has on
communities along the waterfront. We will discover how the tides are influenced by gravity and the position of the
moon to the Earth. We will create tide charts and learn how climate change and C02 production impacts the ocean and
the animals that make it their home. We will learn about estuaries and watersheds. Students will also have a chance to
mark the high and low tide in the BSSC tide pools and monitor how they change each day. Includes a field trip and/or
guest speaker. (TBD)

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Week 5: July 14 – July 18
Singled Out
Students will study where plastic debris comes from and how marine debris makes its way into the ocean.
They will develop a “trash story” for a piece of one-time-use plastic and present the story from its origin to its
eventual destination near BSSC. This session seeks to answer questions such as: What are the things that we
cannot see by just looking at the water? How do these things affect the animals that live there? Includes a
field trip and/or guest speaker. (TBD)

Week 6: July 21 – July 25
The “Maine” Ingredient
Students will learn about the difference between micro and macro algae and explore shoreside the different types of
seaweed growing in Maine waters. We will study the structure of seaweed and the characteristics of echinoderms that
make it their home. Students will gain a better understanding about Maine’s growing seaweed farming industry. And we
will seek to answer the question: “Why is seaweed so important”? Includes a field trip and/or guest speaker. (TBD)

Week 7: July 28 – August 1
Lost and Found
Students will explore the different technologies that are helping to remove marine debris. Students will learn about the
breakdown of plastic in the marine environment, and the contents of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. We will kick our
creativity into high gear and design mock-ups of equipment that could help clean up the “trash” in the ocean. And we
will continue to focus our attention on intertidal clean-ups. Includes a field trip and/or guest speaker. (TBD)

Week 8: August 4 – August 8
Hook, Line, and Seeker
Students will learn from fisherman, aquaculturists, and scientists about the benefits of farming the ocean. We will gain a
better understanding of sustainability and what is meant by “sustainable fishing” and “responsible ocean stewardship.”
Students will explore what lies between the surface and seafloor and how we’ve come to depend on what lives there.
Students will learn how scientists estimate marine populations in order to determine their need to be protected and we
will investigate the rules that regulate those that make their living from the sea. Includes a field trip and/or guest
speaker. (TBD)

Week 9: August 11 – August 15
Inside The Toolbox
Through conversations with shipwrights, marine engineers, marine architects, musicians, and writers, students
will gain a greater understanding of Maine’s rich history of shipbuilding, marine art, storytelling, and music.
During this session students will work side-by-side with a local artist exploring different types of media. And
we will learn about the difference between art forms and scientific illustrations. Includes a field trip and/or
guest speaker. (TBD)