Scientific Stewardship Coordinator

At the Coastal Interpretive Center (CIC) we’ve entered a new phase of growth. Building on our mission to inspire the joy and wonder of nature, the CIC is broadening our vision from a museum that requires people to come to us into a community organization that meets people where they are. We’re strengthening our connection with the people and places of our service area: Grays Harbor County and the western Olympic Peninsula. We’re expanding the vision of our biology, ecology, and anthropology programs as the means to an end – the goal being a reconnected community. To do this, we are adding the position described herein to our team to provide stewardship outreach services in the Lake Quinault Rainforest of the Olympic National Forest. Together, we’re further developing the CIC into an institution that utilizes cultural and natural resources to inspire creative engagement with a changing world.

Application Timeline

1. Application submission period [Opens May 5, 2025]
2. Application review begins [May 14]
3. Initial phone interviews [May 16]
4. Secondary video interviews [May 20 to May 22]
5. Job offer sent [May 27]
6. Job start date [June 9, 2025]

Summary of Role

The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will be responsible for implementation of field-based CIC outreach programs during Summer 2025 and some aspects of coordination of CIC outreach programs. These programs include table events, guided naturalist walks, interpretive campfire talks, event-based outreach, and significant data collection. This position is an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional interested in studying human interactions in the natural environment through significant community engagement activities. This position is intended to spend a majority of its time in Lake Quinault, approximately 60 minutes driving time from the location of the CIC Museum in Ocean Shores.

Though this position is created as a three-quarter time summer position at the coordinator level, we are working to secure long-term funding. This position is currently funded through a grant from the National Forest Foundation. If funding allows and if the incumbent demonstrates proficiency, we may invite the Coordinator to join the CIC as a permanent, full-time employee.

We strongly encourage all applicants who are interested to apply: even if you feel you do not have all necessary qualifications, we still value your interest!

Benefits

This position is not eligible for virtual work at this time. This position is not eligible for flexible scheduling at this time. The CIC recognizes the need to provide competitive compensation and benefits; we want all staff to feel valued for their contributions to the team. At this time we’re building a two-year roadmap through the year 2027 to both (1) create a pay schedule and benefits package that fairly rewards staff and (2) to implement that roadmap. More details about benefits can be shared during the interview phase of this job application process.

Community Accountability

The Coastal Interpretive Center strives to create relationships with the communities that we serve, which in turn creates mutual accountability. By better understanding these communities, involving them in education, planning, employment, volunteerism, and Board membership, the CIC becomes accountable to these communities. Through that investment of time, energy, and resources, these communities become accountable to the CIC and part of its continued success and growth. This reciprocal commitment is the backbone of our Community Accountability policy.

Summary of Responsibilities

Field-Based Outreach – 80% of hours

Table Events – The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will carry-out approximately 2-4 ‘trailhead tables’ weekly in the Lake Quinault Rainforest in coordination with the US Forest Service. These tables will seek to: (1) learn about trail-users’ habits and record user data, (2)

educate trail-users about stewardship practices and USFS rules, and (3) offer opportunities for trail-users to get engaged. Some additional table events may take place at other locations around Grays Harbor County, but Lake Quinault will be the priority location. These events will include CIC volunteers who will be managed on-the-ground by the Coordinator. The Coordinator will implement events as previously designed by CIC staff with the opportunity to suggest and make changes.

Guided Naturalist Tours – The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will carry-out approximately 2-4 nature walks weekly in the Lake Quinault Rainforest in coordination with the US Forest Service. These tours will seek to: (1) educate rainforest visitors about the indivisible connections between nature and culture in the region, and (2) collect visitor use data. Some additional tours may take place at other locations around Grays Harbor County, but Lake Quinault will be the priority location. These events may include CIC volunteers who will be managed on-the-ground by the Coordinator. The Coordinator will implement tours as previously designed by CIC staff with the opportunity to suggest and make changes.

Interpretive Campfire Talks – The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will carry-out approximately 1-3 informational talks weekly in the Lake Quinault system of campgrounds in coordination with the US Forest Service. These talks will seek to: (1) educate rainforest visitors about the indivisible connections between nature and culture in the region, and (2) collect visitor use data. These events may include CIC partners but will be managed on-the-ground by the Coordinator. The Coordinator will implement talks as previously designed by CIC staff with the opportunity to suggest and make changes.

Event-based Outreach – The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will assist, as time allows, other CIC staff during outreach events (e.g. summer weekend festivals) at various locations throughout Grays Harbor County.

Data Collection – The Operations Coordinator will collect, aggregate, and report on data collected during all outreach events, collecting data for limited data metrics at all outreach events and creating a specific quantitative and qualitative dataset through events in Lake Quinault.

Administration – 15% of hours

Meetings & Communications – With weekly check-ins between the CIC Executive Director and monthly staff meetings, the Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will maintain regular contact with other CIC staff in-person and virtually. Additional meetings with the CIC Education Manager and USFS will be scheduled regularly. Communicating regularly with all CIC staff members will be an important part of this position because of its field-based nature, as will be in-person communications with CIC volunteers and the broader community.

Documentation – Working in coordination with the Executive Director, the Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will clearly document the successes and challenges of visitor-use behavior in the Lake Quinault Rainforest.

Data Aggregation & Clean-up – Working in coordination with the Executive Director, the Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will enter all data collected during in-person events into

online database software, ensuring accuracy of data, and prepare at least three reports on the data collected.

Program Coordination – 5% of hours

Partner & Volunteer Collaboration – The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will work with USFS staff at the Lake Quinault Ranger Station, USFS volunteers, and CIC volunteers to implement, and adjust as needed, the abovementioned programming in “Field-Based Outreach”.

Standards & Practices

The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will uphold the mission, vision, and values of the Coastal Interpretive Center, more information about which is available on the CIC website. Additionally, the Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will actively participate in the culture of the CIC, promoting not only the organization’s mission, vision, and values, but also the shared success of the organization through active collaboration with staff and board.

Accommodations & Transportation

Please note: Because the Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will be responsible as a function of this position to spend as many as four days per week in the Quinault Rainforest, the CIC and USFS can provide bunkhouse or camping accommodations for up to three nights per week at Lake Quinault. However, the CIC will not provide housing at other times. The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will be responsible for all meals. The Scientific Stewardship Coordinator will be responsible for reliable personal transportation.

Necessary Qualifications

• Commitment to community and serving persons of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds
• Commitment to the shared growth of the CIC team and of the community
• Commitment to try, and if necessary, try again differently
• Commitment to transparency, collaboration, and accountability
• Commitment to self-reflection and situational humility
• Commitment to working autonomously and to learn skills as needed

• Ability to work independently but under supervision
• Ability to work interactively with other team members
• Ability to self-teach new skills but to ask for help when needed
• Ability to switch between tasks and prioritize tasks as needed
• Ability to provide and receive feedback
• Ability to pass Washington State background check (applies to all CIC staff and volunteers)

• Experience working outdoors for long periods of time
• Experience leading outdoor community engagement activities
• Experience working with volunteers and interacting with members of the public
• Experience with surveys and data collection

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to drive as needed
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours
• Interest in the natural and cultural history of Washington’s Pacific Coast

Desired Qualifications

• Outdoor education and/or outdoor stewardship job experience
• Volunteer coordination experience
• Experience collecting survey data and creating survey reports that outline general trends

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit for long periods of time, listen and respond to verbal instruction and direction, read and respond in writing to verbal instruction and direction, and occasionally use a computer. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Noise level in the work environment may be loud. The employee will regularly interact with members of the public as an essential component of this position.

While working outdoors, the employee may be exposed to variable weather conditions for extended periods.

Application Instructions

This position description is intended only to describe the Scientific Stewardship Coordinator position – this is not an application! To apply for the position of CIC Scientific Stewardship Coordinator, please visit www.interpretivecenter.org/careers and click on the link titled “Click here for application instructions”. You will be directed to a Google Form which will contain instructions on how to email your resume and complete the online application. After completing the application, you will receive email confirmation. All questions about the position not answered in this position description can be directed to CIC Executive Director, Jacob: jbaker@interpretivecenter.org.

Coastal Interpretive Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Coastal Interpretive Center does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.