Part-Time Waterfront Educators

About the Waterfront Alliance

The Waterfront Alliance is a civic organization that brings together a diverse alliance of more than 1,100 Alliance Partners with ties to the New York–New Jersey waterways. Founded in 2007, our mission is to inspire and effect resilient, revitalized, and accessible coastlines for all communities. Key programs and advocacy areas include climate resilience, public access to the waterfront, the working waterfront, and climate education.

About the Position

We are seeking two part-time waterfront educators to provide direct instruction for our Estuary Explorers environmental education and public programs.

Working under the supervision of the senior education program manager, the part-time waterfront educators will be responsible for engaging with partners, students, and the public at schools, community organizations, and tabling events, and leading outdoor waterfront field labs (focused on marine science and coastal resilience) with students participating in the Estuary Explorers program.

The part-time waterfront educators will be brought in to support programming starting April 2026. Work will take place in the office through curriculum development, as well as outside the office (at schools, at community organizations, at outdoor events, etc.) on weekdays and weekends, at locations throughout the five boroughs.

Classification: Part-time, non-exempt (average of 15 hours per week including travel and preparation time. Hours are dependent on class/events schedule)

Salary and Benefits: $26 per hour with limited benefits

Reports To: Senior Education Manager

Responsibilities:

• Participate in trainings led by Waterfront Alliance program staff to learn about and contribute to the curriculum / pedagogy, as well as shadow a program.
• Instruct simple water quality testing lesson with students as part of the Estuary Explorers education program, as well as lead discussion around climate change, coastal resilience, sustainability, and civic engagement (this includes lifting buckets of harbor water; educational content training may be provided).
• Assist with tabling events by speaking with the public, distributing materials, and doing activity demonstrations.
• Manage access to waterfront sites for workshops, including permissions, directions, amenities, and weather contingency plans.
• Maintain clean and organized workshop supplies.

Qualifications:

• Experience in maritime or environmental programming, school-based educational programming, experiential education, event production, tabling, and/or equivalent educational background
• Comfortable working outdoors and available for regular onsite presence at waterfront locations throughout New York City
• Willingness to lead programs solo or with another educator
• Detail oriented, organized, and able to prioritize competing tasks
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of constituents; positive customer service approach
• Ability to handle occasional stressful (public-facing) situations with professionalism and courtesy
• First Aid and CPR certification is preferred, but not required
• Willing to comply with a background check.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and the answers to the prompted questions in this link. Applicants must be legally authorized to work fulltime in the U.S. and should not require employment sponsorship now or in the future. Only complete applications will be considered. Position open until filled. No phone calls please.

As an equal opportunity employer, Waterfront Alliance encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability or any other legally protected basis.

Accrued and paid safe and sick days and eligibility for PFL and retirement, commuter, and supplemental life insurance benefits.