Guest Engagement Aide

JOB SUMMARY:

Guest engagement aides support all guest engagement programs and paid tours and experiences in the aquarium. Responsibilities for this year-round position include formal and informal interpretation while working at the Living Seashore touchpools, engaging guests with props or at carts, presenting formal talks at larger exhibits, presenting with live animals, and facilitating paid tours, culminating in outstanding guest experiences. All programs, whether paid or included with admission, 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. In addition to regular daily/weekly tours and programs, aides may be asked to assist with program evaluation studies, daily maintenance of educational supplies, feedback for program improvement, and support for custom guest experiences.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Essential responsibilities include:

1. Inspires conservation by presenting/facilitating a variety of engaging programs to diverse audiences each day.

2. Provides world-class guest service to all guests of the National Aquarium

3. Spends the majority of the day on the aquarium floor talking with guests. This includes staffing touch exhibits, roaming with educational props, staffing educational carts, leading paid tours, and speaking on microphones to crowds of up to 500 people.

4. Must be enthusiastic, and outgoing.

5. Assists in cleaning and maintaining educational props and carts as well as personal workspaces.

6. Maintains a collaborative attitude with other departments including house business partners, animal care staff, exhibit guide volunteers, youth exhibit guides, guest services staff, conservation education, and facilities. Communicates with courtesy and respect.

7. Follows all Aquarium safety rules and protocols. Takes all required training courses.

8. Occasionally may assist guest engagement managers and specialists with program evaluation, or custom tours/programming.

9. Adheres to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· College course work or equivalent experience in science, education, hospitality, theater, or related field (Bachelor’s degree not required).

· Presentation and public speaking skills preferred

· Understanding of thematic interpretation preferred

· Knowledge of biology and conservation issues preferred

· Strong guest service skills

· Outgoing and energetic personality

· Comfortable handling various types of animals

· Job requires availability during peak attendance days (peak attendance for the aquarium is during weekends, summer, holidays, etc.)

Competencies: Must be able to clearly and enthusiastically communicate with all Aquarium guests, staff, and Aquarium partners. Must be comfortable speaking with diverse groups of guests, ranging from one-on-one conversations to large auditoriums filled with hundreds of guests. In addition, must be able to interpret scientific information to guests of all ages and educational backgrounds. Must have good decision-making skills and be willing to work in a fast-paced environment with little supervision. Must show flexibility with last-minute schedule changes. Must be able to work with stressed and/or upset guests as well as high energy school groups.

Problem Solving: Work within a team of educators to present engaging, conservation focused messages. Will need to adapt the conversation to the guest. Should be comfortable in assisting a guest who has concerns or special needs.

Human Relations: Daily contact with diverse guests and staff, including interns and high school and adult volunteers. Can communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the Aquarium.

Accountability: Guest Engagement Aides will be sure they are following all Aquarium and department policies and procedures, including following all current program scripts, sharing correct information and following suggested conservation messaging with our guests. They have positive and proactive energy, positively representing the aquarium and ensuring each guest has a positive and engaging experience. Help to create a collaborative and team-motivated work environment. Responsible for the safety of live animals and guests during demonstrations, as well as following safe animal handling protocols.

TOTAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

$17.00-19.75 per hour with hours worked over 40 paid as overtime, holiday premium pay, and extra pay for night work. National Aquarium provides an excellent benefits package including four weeks paid time off, six paid floating holidays, up to four weeks of paid family leave and conservation day leave.  Employees are eligible for health care (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work and 401(k) plan participation with employer match available. Employees receive a family membership package and Aquarium tickets.

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.

*For external recruitment consultants to use*

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM

The National Aquarium is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. Our compelling exhibits, science-based education programs and hands-on field initiatives engage more than 1.2 million people annually. One of the top three aquariums in the United States and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland, the Aquarium generates more than $430 million annually in economic impact to the state. The National Aquarium has hosted over 60 million guests since it opened in 1981.

Today, the National Aquarium builds on a history of local, regional and global conservation initiatives that provide real solutions for protecting marine life, ecosystems and aquatic communities. Its Animal Rescue team has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of marine mammals and endangered sea turtles throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Its Animal Care and Welfare teams participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues and advocate for smarter policies at local, state and federal levels. Through education, research, conservation action and advocacy, the National Aquarium is pursuing a vision to connect a global community of hopeful conservationists, united to restore our planet.

How to Apply

Interested and engaged applicants should apply through the link above. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be made by e-mailing HR@aqua.org. Applicants should submit a resume and letter of intent in their application package (preferably in PDF format). Three references will be requested during the interview process.

Salary : $430