JOB SUMMARY
The Marine Life Center Supervisor contributes to the Port of Bellingham operations by marketing and coordinating the daily operations and maintenance of the Port’s Marine Life Center. Serve as resident expert on animal care, display collection and educational programs. Schedule community groups for tours and educational opportunities. This position provides day-to-day supervision and work direction to Marine Life Center staff, including the Marine Life Center Representative and Marine Life Center Education Specialist.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provide quality customer service to Marine Life Center patrons and community members by providing a high level of overall customer experience, visitor greeting and informational services, assistance in developing visual learning displays and designing exhibits. Provides regular and dependable center hours.
- Maintain a clean and safe environment for customers and wildlife.
- Accurately complete related paperwork and steps for facility operations.
- Duties include ensuring that center equipment for the facility is available and in good working order.
- Maintain animal display collection by (but not limited to):
- Species targeting and collection
- Reintroduction of the display animals to the native environment
- Permit application and management
- Exhibit and habitat maintenance
- Display (tank) maintenance
- Ongoing species research and behavior studies
- Ongoing research and efforts to provide the best live and frozen foods for the animals
- Develop, apply and manage sponsorship and grant programs.
- Support mobile education outreach presentations to enhance community outreach.
- Continually strive to operate the Marine Life center in a way that enhances the Port’s budget neutral financial goal, protects port equipment/facilities, and maximizes the potential for successful events.
- Accurately submit and record required financial information in compliance with auditing procedures (i.e., user fees and related costs) for the facility within the established timeframe. Perform daily deposits.
- Maintain relationships with fishing community to receive vital collections.
- Supervise Marine Life Center staff, including the Marine Life Center Representative and Marine Life Center Education Specialist; provide training, assign and prioritize daily work, and ensure adequate staffing coverage for center hours and outreach activities.
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance support to assigned staff; assist with onboarding, training, and adherence to Port policies and procedures.
- Coordinate staff schedules, assist with timekeeping accuracy, and communicate operational priorities to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information in accordance with Port policies, labor agreements, and applicable laws.
- Collaborate with the Community Outreach Manager to develop the annual budget.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Previous experience providing work direction, training, or supervision of staff preferred.
LICENSES REQUIRED
- Valid Washington State driver’s license is required.
- Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification after hire.
- WDFW Scientific Collection Permit is required.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Maintain ongoing understanding of tides and seasonal changes to meet crucial windows of opportunity for collections
Basic chemistry skills for water quality testing and comprehension
Basic biology skills including dissection, pests, fungal and bacterial diseases, fecundity and breeding, grow-out preparation etc.
Requires the ability to successfully work with a high degree of flexibility and patience, as well as, the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Requires excellent skills in public relations and handling complaints. Communicate effectively and represent the port in public relations/liaison capacity on matters relating to community outreach.
Must be self-motivated and be able to effectively work in a self-managed work team environment.
Ability to lead, train, and motivate staff while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Center hours and community outreach events are often scheduled nights and weekends. Must be willing to work flexible hours.
LEVEL OF AUTHORITY
The level of decision making in this position will impact the Port, Port employees, and the public. Position supervises others and may be the liaison between outside contractors and direct their work.
