What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sea Center Naturalist and Volunteer Manager position at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center?
Description
Title: Naturalist and Volunteer Manager
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Department: Sea Center
Reports To: Sea Center Director
Wage Band: Manager
Pay: $68,640 annually
Schedule: Sunday - Thursday
Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.
Position Summary: The Naturalist and Volunteer Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the Sea Center’s Naturalist team and Volunteer Coordinator. This includes training and managing staff, creating public and advanced interpretive programs, supporting volunteer recruitment and development, and ensuring an exceptional visitor experience.
Specific Responsibilities:
Staff & Volunteer Management
- Provide leadership, scheduling, and management to Sea Center Naturalists and the Volunteer Coordinator.
- Conduct annual performance reviews of Naturalists.
- Ensure adequate staffing coverage and smooth daily operations.
- Support Volunteer Coordinator in volunteer recruitment, training, onboarding, and retention.
- Plan and lead Naturalist meetings; set short and long-term goals.
- Develop new opportunities, projects, and learning experiences for team development.
- Manage volunteer program, including advanced training and expansion of roles.
- Support the Volunteer Coordinator in Volgistics for scheduling and record-keeping.
- Design and deliver ongoing interpretive training programs for Naturalists, volunteers, and the public.
- Communicate procedures, policies, safety standards, and goals to Naturalists.
- Ensure all team members reflect a visitor-centric focus and professionalism.
- Actively work on the exhibit floor as a Naturalist, engaging with visitors.
- Support the Guest Experience team by covering breaks and assisting during busy times.
- Serve as Manager on Duty when scheduled, addressing visitor and staff issues.
- Help with offsite educational events and outreach.
Program Development & Collaboration
- Develop and implement public programs including festivals and special events.
- Create and deliver educational experiences and interpretive content for various audiences.
- Collaborate with staff to develop content on biodiversity, climate change, and natural history.
- Participate in exhibit development by contributing educational and programmatic input.
- Collaborate with the Education Department on school programs and community events.
- Coordinate with other Museum volunteer managers on recognition programs and best practices.
- Assist in collecting and evaluating guest experience feedback.
- Compile evaluation data and present written and oral reports.
Organization-Wide
- Ensure staff maintain clean and safe workspaces.
- Follow opening/closing procedures and uphold safety protocols.
- Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community.
- Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
- Other duties as assigned.
Essential Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in science and 2 years of related experience or equivalent.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
- Experience working with diverse groups and age ranges.
- Organizational and team-building capabilities.
- Proficiency in MS Office and general computer applications.
- Availability on weekends, evenings, and holidays as required.
- Reliable and punctual.
Preferred Requirements:
- Experience with volunteer coordination.
- Background in marine biology.
- Bilingual fluency (written and oral).
- SCUBA certification.
- National Association for Interpretation (NAI) certification.
Work Environment
- This is an onsite experience. Must be available to work 1 weekend day.
- Indoor and outdoor work throughout the Sea Center site.
- Office work involving computers and phones.
- Frequent walking, standing, bending, and light lifting (up to 20 lbs.).
- Daily interaction with the public in high energy work environment.
The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Salary : $68,640
