Youth Engagement Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Youth Engagement Specialist

Posted: Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to: Youth Engagement Coordinator

Status: Full time non-exempt

Hours of work: 40 hours per week this position works both weekend days but the long-term schedule will be determined with final candidate. Occasional need for flexibility to work outside of typical schedule including holiday or evening hours.

Date needed: November 2025.

Posting expires: Open until filled; priority given to applications received by September 15.

Position description:

The Seattle Aquarium a leading marine conservation organization is looking for a full time Youth Engagement Specialist to join the Conservation Engagement and Learning (CEaL) team. Youth Engagement Specialists assist in stewarding a service-based program forhigh school age youth the Youth Ocean Advocates (YOA) volunteer program. The YOA program includes on-site volunteer opportunities field trips continuing education and more. The YOA program values the diverse young people of our region including members of the BIPOC LGBTQIA and disability community as present and future partners and leaders in ocean conservation.

In partnership with the rest of the Youth Engagement team the Specialist provides a positive volunteer experience and program support for teen participants through high quality program development prompt communication coordinating schedules providing logistical support and via direct supervision and support. This direct supervision takes the form of leading field trips delivering trainings and supporting teens as they deliver onsite interpretation for visitors.

In addition the Specialist will work with the rest of the Youth Engagement team in program planning recruitment and administrative functions of the program.

This position will participate in program development particularly creating a volunteer experience that is welcoming to our diverse community of youth developing a program with and for our youth volunteers.

Schedule: 40 hours per week Saturday and Sunday required.

Essential Functions:

• Support an evolving community of teen volunteers engaged in a variety of activities at the Aquarium providing welcoming accessible visitor experiences in a manner consistent with the Aquariums S.A.L.I.S.H. values and policies incorporating equitable practices in our YOA program in collaboration with the Youth Engagement team.
• Be an encouraging supportive and motivating role model for youth as they serve in mutually beneficial volunteer roles supporting the Aquariums mission to inspire conservation of our marine environment. Recognize youth volunteers interests strengths and growth opportunities and support their exploration and development as they pursue their varied interests including but not limited to marine science environmental justice biology sustainability conservation science communication community service Tribal co-management community engagement and more.
• Supervise youth volunteers as they complete their volunteer assignments.
• Mentor and coach youth to improve the quality of their work interpretation and customer service.
• Provide administrative support to YOAs through shift-scheduling functions in the volunteer database (Better Impact) data management communication and more.
• Communicate frequently with YOAs in person by phone and email regarding their needs volunteer opportunities and policy questions.
• Support YOAs administrative needs including data entry database management timely email communication and more.
• In collaboration with the Youth Engagement team implement and strategize recruitment selection and onboarding processes for youth volunteers grounded in proactive equitable and culturally specific practices that reach and engage diverse audiences.
• Ensure the continuing education of youth volunteers by developing implementing and delivering training opportunities and programming on a variety of topics including aquarium species ocean science environmental justice interpretation conservation and more.
• Integrate Aquariums S.A.L.I.S.H. values and mission into lesson planning to connect youth to the greater picture of marine conservation work.
• Plan implement and supervise field experiences for Youth Ocean Advocates including beach and park clean-ups nature walks museum visits and more.
• Work closely with small groups of youth volunteers on special projects including emergent cultural and socially relevant projects. An example is monitoring and coordinating social media groups in partnership with Marketing team and with clear consent privacy and safety guidelines for youth participants.
• Work closely with the Youth Engagement Coordinator to improve existing programming including removing barriers to program participation for the BIPOC LGBTQIA and disability communities and building a positive welcoming and inclusive culture respectful of our diverse community.
• Organize clean and restock YOA spaces on a regular basis manage inventory of YOA supplies (access badges name tags and more).
• All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity Equity Inclusion and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.
• Other duties as assigned as appropriate for level and scope of role.

Additional responsibilities:

• Interact positively with adult volunteers and Aquarium visitors and provide excellent customer service to all stakeholders.
• Serve as a representative of the aquariums teen volunteer community when working with other staff on additional youth-oriented opportunities

Experience/ Education Requirements:

• 1 year of experience working in informal or cultural education and/or a combination of experience and education to meet the minimum requirements of the position.
• Experience with teens and diverse youth populations
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience building a positive welcoming culture respectful of the diversity in our community.
• Adult first aid and CPR/AED training and certification required within 30 days of employment. Resources on where to obtain low cost/free training will be provided.

Skills:

• Model an active and personal commitment to diversity equity and inclusion including a solid understanding and proven literacy around DEI topics.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquariums Mission and Values including Regenerative and Equity work.
• Interest and experience utilizing positive youth development principles while working with or mentoring diverse populations of high school age youth.
• Proficient in MS Office software applications; has experience utilizing databases for recordkeeping.
• Consistently and proactively communicate track and organize complex schedules and tasks as well as organize work to keep self on track and others informed.
• Enthusiasm for and skills in networking developing relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and building strong ties with the youth-serving community; proven ability to work effectively with people from a wide array of cultures and communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental justice and desire to serve engage and work in solidarity with communities that are disproportionally affected by environmental degradation.
• Able to communicate effectively in English verbally and in writing for safety and program needs such as delivering presentations. Multilingual and multicultural communication skills and experience are preferred.
• Ability to shift priorities in a rapidly changing work environment.

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid virtual/in-office model with minimum 50% days onsite at the Aquarium including weekends.
• This role can involve periods of standing and moving during programs. Tasks can be adjusted and equipment provided. Occasional movement of items up to 20 pounds with assistance with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Requires duties to be carried out in offices exhibits classrooms outdoor field excursions and off-site training and travel.
• Job requires occasionally working and moving outdoors in all weather conditions and terrain.
• This position will regularly work weekend days. Flexible schedule and ability to work evenings holidays and weekends.

Salary and benefits:$25.00 - $27.00 per hour. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquariums comprehensive benefits package to include medical vision dental an employer-funded health reimbursement account medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts life insurance long-term disability 403b retirement fund with employer match access to a subsidized ORCA pass a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse equitable and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds identities languages cultural ways of knowing and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color trans and gender non-conforming people immigrants people with disabilities and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they dont feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

Interested candidates should upload a rsum to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

let us know if you require reasonable accommodations to apply for this job by emailing us at.

Note: If offered the position candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.

About the Seattle Aquarium:

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound the Salish Sea and the worlds one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing an inspiring visitor experience engaging daytime and evening events conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds community outreach to marginalized populations research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild advocacy and policy work an award-winning volunteer program high-impact marketing and communications and more.

Our values developed in conjunction with our staff include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices creating awe-inspiring experiences constantly learning and improving fostering an inclusive community maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums were among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance and we welcome over 850000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment were working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at.

Timeline:

We anticipate the following recruiting schedule for those candidates who are selected for consideration. The following dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will work with candidates to set interview dates. If hired relocation assistance is not available.

• Application deadline: Open until filled.
• Priority given to applications received by September 15.
• Interviewscompleted in October.
• Start date: November 2025.