Deadline for Responses:  Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are kept on file for six months following submission.

Start Date:  Varies, when there is a position opening interviews will occur with select candidates

Location:  Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary visitor center and campus in Alpena, Michigan, and/or aboard the Lady Michigan glass-bottom tour boat that cruises in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron and is docked in the Thunder Bay River outside the visitor center, and/or at locations around the State of Michigan for specific outreach events.

Education:  Minimum – college freshman (job experience, or volunteer hours may be substituted for education if applicable).

Experience:  Successful applicants will have experience in visitor services and/or public programs.  This could include experience as museum/visitor center staff, outdoor/park staff, or other organizations guest/visitor interactions or interpretation, formal/informal education.  Volunteer management, sales experience, and/or boating experience a plus.

Shifts:  Seasonal and varied (see visitor center hours at www.thunderby.noaa.gov and Lady Michigan cruise schedule at www.alpenashipwrecktours.com), shifts may include day, evening, weekends, and holidays (excluding Easter Day, Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day, and Thanksgiving Day).

Brief Job Description:  Staff visitor center exhibits, programs/activities/events, store, and/or the Lady Michigan as interpreter/deckhand for seasonal cruises.  All staff are cross-trained for awareness and visitor experience.  Staff interact with visitors, including greeting and answering questions, orienting large groups of adults and children, and providing guidance for activities and operating theater; store sales, stocking, arranging displays, cruise ticketing, bike rentals, and answering phone inquiries; providing group programs as assigned; light cleaning; basic security duties and staffing of special events.  Lady Michigan specific duties also include providing interpretive boat tour and food/beverage sales, and assisting Captain with light boat cleaning, loading/unloading passengers, and passenger safety.  May also include staffing outreach events.

Physical Requirements:  Moving of boxes of merchandise and program materials as needed.  Assisting with room rental set up (moving tables and chairs into place, moving garbage cans, etc.)  Requires standing and walking for extended periods, bending, and occasional physical exertion and climbing (stairs, low ladders to access merchandise, etc.).  Addition requirements for interpreter/deckhand shifts: must be able to walk around the deck of a moving boat, use a microphone, work with others to lift some gear, and assist passengers with lifejackets/lifeboat access in case of emergency (training provided).

Application Process:  Submit a resume and cover letter (cover letter should include: work availability and a short description of why you are interested in working at the sanctuary visitor center and/or aboard the Lady Michigan) to: andrew@thunderbayfriends.org or mail/drop in person to: c/o Visitor Experience Manager, 500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena, MI  49707