Position:

Water Tour Docent

Latest Info:

Water Tour Docents lead water tours other than kayak tours and canoe tours (see separate postings). Our most pressing need is for Naturalists to act as docents for the outrigger canoe tours at the Newport Aquatic Center as part of the high school programs we conduct there (see separate posting for land part). Docents merely ride in the outrigger canoes and talk about the Bay. Newport Aquatic Center staff skipper and steer the outrigger canoes.

As of:

April 1, 2008

Contact:

joe.naturalist@rdmd.ocgov.com

Level Required:

Naturalist

Type:

Ongoing

Location:

Newport Aquatic Center

Days/Times:

Weekdays year round as scheduled by school.
Occasional weekends for pontoon boat tours with Sea Base.

Qualifications Needed:

10-week Naturalist Training

Training Given:

In addition to the Naturalist Training trainees will act as assistant on at least two tours before sharing docent duties with a seasoned Water Tour Docent.

Reference Materials:

NBNF Naturalist Training Manual
School Tours Manual

Job Description:

The main water tour program currently is the outrigger canoe tour for high school students at the Newport Aquatic Center. The Water Tour Docent rides in a double-hulled outrigger canoe with 12 students and provides commentary about the birds, fish and plants found at the Bay, the importance of the Bay as an estuary, threats to the Bay and what the public can do to help protect the Bay. (See School Tour Docent job listing for the land tour component of this program.)

In the past Naturalists have conducted electric boat tours from the BBSC. If such tours are offered to the public for a fee it is necessary for the boat to have a Coastguard certified skipper. So we have chosen to discontinue these tours. Instead we are partnering with the Newport Sea Base to provide a docent for May 3, June 28, August 23 and October 25 on their 30-seater pontoon boat. We will provide the same type of commentary as on our other tours.

Job Expectations:

Make a commitment to become a Water Tour Docent and conduct three tours per quarter for at least 12 months.