Job Description: Educator

The Phillips Wharf Environmental Center is a 501(c) nonprofit whose mission is to encourage, educate, and engage Chesapeake Bay stewards of all ages through interactive experiences showcasing the Bay’s ecosystem and its inhabitants. These programs include the Fishmobile, a traveling aquarium that brings the Chesapeake Bay to schools, fairs, and other events. The goal of our work is to create a network of environmental stewards who are connected to the Bay and make daily decisions that support healthy ecosystems.

Phillips Wharf is seeking a flexible and energetic person to assist with Fishmobile programming and animal care part time. The right candidate loves working with children, learning, and is available for all Fishmobile program dates. This is a seasonal position running April through November, with the possibility of extension.

Your schedule will be 2-3 days per week, with one anchor day per week (the same day every week) in the office assisting with animal care and interacting with visitors, unless there is a Fishmobile program scheduled that day. The other 1-2 days per week will be floating based on the Fishmobile schedule. In the summer, your schedule will likely involve working Saturdays and Sundays most weeks. Transportation to Fishmobile events will be provided onboard the Fishmobile, but you must be able to arrive at the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center on time as early as 5:00 am.

Compensation: $13.00/hr for the first month of employment, with a raise to follow after a 30 day review.

The Educator position will report to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. The essential duties and responsibilities include;

  1. Having a flexible schedule so as to be available for Fishmobile programming.
  2. Supporting Fishmobile programming through set up and clean up of the Fishmobile, developing or expanding on activities to support Fishmobile programming, and running those activities.
  3. Educating guests on the animals and displays inside the Fishmobile. Please note that no prior animal knowledge is needed, just a willingness to learn.
  4. Assisting with the care of animals that are used in Fishmobile programming, including feeding, water changes, environmental control, and tank cleaning.
  5. Handling live animals during educational programs and tank cleaning.
  6. Staffing the Center when open to the public, which may involve tours of the facility and aquarium, answering phone calls and emails, and setting up for events and programs.
  7. Assisting with social media posts including Facebook and Instagram.

There will also be optional opportunities to gain experience and skills in areas of interest including but not limited to, designing new educational programs, writing articles for our monthly newsletter, coordinating education workshops, designing logos, fliers, and other promotional material, developing and implementing fundraisers and other events, and supervising interns and volunteers.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience working with students in an educational setting, either formal or informal.

Experience caring for animals, either in formal or informal settings.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Biology, Environmental Science or related fields.

Required qualifications:

You must be at least 18 years of age.

You must have a US Driver’s License.

You must be able to lift at least 35 pounds.

You must have reliable transportation to and from the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center in Easton, MD.

You must pass a background check.



Position will be open until filled.

We may also look to hire several Alternate Educators, which entail the above qualifications but work on a contractual basis for specific events.

As an educational facility that works closely with schools and school age children, we follow all State and CDC Guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our employees and guests.