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25 people are interested
Share the Wonders of the Ocean at the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center
ORGANIZATION: Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Please visit the new page to apply.
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25 people are interested
Visitor Specialists serve as the "face of the Ocean Discovery Center" by welcoming, orienting, and assisting with visitors’ questions and needs.
Located in downtown Savannah, Georgia, the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Discovery Center (https://graysreef.noaa.gov/visit/centers/) features interactive exhibits for you to explore the wonders of the sanctuary. Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, located 19 miles east of the Georgia coast between Savannah and Brunswick, is one of the largest near-shore live-bottom reefs in the southeastern US.
Volunteering at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary’s Ocean Discovery Center is a fun opportunity to make a splash in your community! Volunteers will help bring the sanctuary into downtown Savannah by helping visitors explore the center, present ocean-themed programs, and answer questions to promote community awareness and engagement.
Duties:
Under the direction of sanctuary staff, visitor specialists may
- Assist with center opening and closing duties; including writing daily program schedules on signage and restocking display and hand-out information
- Greet visitors and provide guidance on exhibits and collections, supply passport stamps and Girl Scout badges, and answer general questions
- Monitor the door for security and track visitation (clicker)
- Refers visitors to interpreter guides and staff for technical questions
- Support programs, events, and guest evaluations
- Aid in basic day-to-day cleaning and maintenance
No formal background is required.
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older (parental or guardian consent is required for less than 18 years of age) to participate
- Complete and submit the volunteer application packet; which includes, submitting fingerprints as part of the NOAA volunteer background check
- Attend a volunteer orientation workshop and/or training
- Complete the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Code of Conduct
- Follow volunteer uniform guidelines
- Be able to stand for prolonged periods of time and carry small packages (<30 lbs)
Training:
Visitor Specialist should
- Have an interest in working with people-both local visitors and out-of-town guests
- Be willing to become actively involved in Ocean Discovery Center programs
- Demonstrate good communication skills, possess basic problem solving skills, and be flexible with new changes and challenges
- Although not required, having experience or understanding of marine science, environmental management, or teaching is beneficial
Trainings are offered to expand knowledge and understanding of Gray’s Reef resources, live-bottom habitats, and marine science topics.
Visitor Specialists must be able to work a minimum of two volunteer shifts per month.
Morning Shift (9:30am-1:00pm) or Afternoon Shift (1:00pm-4:30pm). The Ocean Discovery Center is open from 10:00am-4:00pm and a 30-minute opening and closing period is included in each shift. Volunteer shifts include a 15-minute break.
About the Center: https://graysreef.noaa.gov/visit/centers/
2 Shifts
- 09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
- 01:00 PM to 04:30 PM
- NONE OF THESE TIMES WORK FOR ME, BUT I CAN STILL HELP
1 More opportunity with Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Opportunities
About Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
Location:
10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411, US
Mission Statement
The mission of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is to identify, protect, conserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, values, and qualities of the sanctuary for current and future generations.
Description
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary is an ocean park teeming with life. The natural live-bottom habitats of the sanctuary are representative of others across the region. The sanctuary provides year-round opportunities for sport fishing, recreational diving, and boating. The research area within the sanctuary hosts one of the only designated no-take zones in the region, which makes Gray's Reef a catalyst for scientific research studying water quality, ocean noise, hurricane prediction, and climate change. Gray's Reef is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries - the trustee for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters.
The 22 square-mile sanctuary protects a vibrant, hard-bottom ocean area off the Georgia coast, about 19 miles east of Sapelo Island, and 40 miles southeast of historic Savannah, Georgia. The average depth of the sanctuary is 65 feet.
Volunteers at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary have supported the sanctuary and contributed to its success for over forty years. This long-term support from volunteers is critical to every aspect of sanctuary including research, public events, scientific research, supporting the sanctuary’s research vessels, and providing programs at the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
340 Martin Luther King Junior BoulevardSavannah, GA 31401
DATE POSTED
March 7, 2024
SKILLS
- Environmental Education
- People Skills
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 16
- Orientation or Training
- Minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month.
- Background check is provided and paid for by NOAA.