Science Instructor - AWRI (Temp Hourly)

The Annis Water Resource Institute (AWRI) seeks passionate and energetic environmental educators to engage students in hands-on, place-based learning experiences onboard its research vessels and in its indoor/outdoor programming. Instructors are assigned to the W. G. Jackson (docks in Muskegon), the D. J. Angus (docks in Grand Haven), or the land-based program, or may serve in a combination of roles. AWRI anticipates hiring one or more instructors for the 2025 season, based on programming demand. These positions report to AWRI’s Education Specialist.

AWRI is a multidisciplinary research organization within Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a mission to integrate research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources. AWRI’s outreach program delivers hands-on, investigative education about water to the public, with special emphasis on youth. Our floating learning laboratories and landside programming connect people in West Michigan with local water resources through experiential learning about water chemistry, lake food webs, human impacts on water quality, and more. Participants aboard an educational cruise have an opportunity to serve as freshwater scientists, collecting data and observations about the water bodies they sail through. Since 1986, nearly 200,000 people have experienced hands-on science on Lake Michigan and adjoining waters through these programs.

Position Summary

• Science Instructors are responsible for conducting educational programs in the outreach program, including seasonal programs aboard the research vessels as well as landside programming and special events. 

• The program on the vessels is delivered by two Science Instructors that team-teach. Instructors guide participants through water quality tests and other observations to compare the physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of Lake Michigan and smaller inland lakes. Along the way, the Science Instructors also share place-based information about the history and current conditions of the lakes and their watersheds, as well as related research of AWRI scientists. 

• We also offer a land-based complement to the onboard cruises, which engages students in place-based learning on AWRI’s grounds about a variety of related water topics. The landside curriculum includes activities developed by AWRI staff, as well as draws from programs such as Project WET, Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS), Healthy Water Healthy People, and the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. 

• The outreach season is from mid-April through mid-October. Training for the 2025 season commences in mid-March to early April 2025, with programs beginning in mid-April.

• These are part-time, seasonal positions. Work hours will vary depending on the program schedule and instructor preferences. A typical schedule is 2-3 days a week during the spring and fall seasons, with fewer days during the summer. There are generally two cruises per day lasting 2.5 hours each. Typically, programs run during normal business hours on weekdays, with occasional evening and Saturday programs. Instructors cannot work more than 29 hours per week. 

Primary Duties

• Provide instruction during onboard aquatic science cruises on the W.G. Jackson and/or D.J. Angus for grades 4-12, college, and adult; and/or indoor/outdoor land-based programming.

• Deliver AWRI’s established curriculum as well as offer responsive place-based/site-specific commentary and learning opportunities.

• Ensure that curriculum objectives are met and that participants have meaningful learning experiences.

• Adapt the program to the needs of each group, weather conditions, and any special circumstances.

• Foster a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all visitors, and uphold GVSU’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Work with the rest of the team of Science Instructors to set up instructional materials before a program, reset educational spaces before the next program, and maintain educational supplies and materials.

• Complete onboard safety training, assist in the safe and efficient operation of the vessel during education programs, and be prepared to assist in an emergency. 

• Attend outreach team meetings, including participating in pre-season curriculum training and set-up, as well as post-season wrap-up.

• Contribute to the development of support materials and continually improving the outreach program.