Hiring Naturalists

Seasonal relief and on-call positions: Multiple contracts available between April to November with the opportunity to join our winter maintenance teams.

Our Company:

Maple Leaf Adventures is a highly respected marine ecotourism company that operates small ship nature cruises to world-class wilderness destinations along the coasts of British Columbia and Alaska.

Our Ships:

Our ships are certified passenger vessels, but they are not cruise ships. Each is unique and hand-built with purpose. Maple Leaf is a classic, 92-foot schooner. She accommodates up to 8 guests, and a crew of 5. Swell is a beautiful, classic, converted tugboat. She accommodates up to 12, and a crew of 5. Cascadia is a luxury, expedition style catamaran. She accommodates up to 24, and a crew of 10.

Successful Candidates:

Our Maple Leaf Crew have an immense amount of enthusiasm for environmental sustainability, natural history, fostering the local economy, connections with science and discovery, and sharing the coast’s wonders with our guests. Our ideal candidate is flexible and organized with proven ability to anticipate the needs of guests and overall operations.

The Naturalist operates an enjoyable, program for our guests. The naturalist is also a key member of the hosting team and has an important responsibility to break the ice with guests, get to know them as individuals, and give them confidence in the trip. The naturalist also works as backup for the crew on food and beverage services and getting guests ready for shore trips, when required.

A successful candidate must:

  • Provided knowledge on aspects of the natural and cultural history in the area.
  • Be accessible to guests throughout the day
  • Be active and engaging interpretation in the moment, both on shore (and in boats), and on board.
  • Deliver a planned, well-executed coverage of a region’s key natural history with key concepts spaced throughout the voyage.
  • Wildlife spotting.
  • Assist captain who is a CBVA certified bear guide when bear viewing.
  • Provide Semi-Formal on board presentations. Generally, presentations should: Prepare guests for a deeper understanding of what we are about to encounter (overview of ecology of area, etc.).
  • Provide further understanding of something we have witnessed (bubble-net feeding humpback whales, etc.).
  • With the captain, carefully leading guests into the deeper conversations around critical issues and challenges that the people, area or wildlife of the trip area face.

Required:

  • Expert knowledge in an area of natural history on the BC coast.
  • A passion for education and knowledge sharing
  • Comfortable at sea
  • Familiar with the cultural and political history of the parks and places we visit
  • Enthusiastic and excited about the place, animals, plants, and experience
  • Able to recognize and point out significant natural features, sights, flora or fauna, animal behaviors, and/or historical sites or other attractions
  • Excellent people skills with a focus on guest service at all times. This position requires significant social interaction with others while working in close quarters with other team members and guests.
  • Proven ability to manage stress and handle adversity.  Candidates must be able to follow orders and change plans quickly.
  • Experience working on boats and/or sailing and/or remote wilderness environments is preferred.

Preferred:

  • Relevant work experience on the BC Coast
  • Degree or post-secondary education in natural/environmental science or adventure tourism, Bear Guiding, Gwaii Haanas Guiding
  • Guiding/outdoor leadership certifications and relevant experience
  • BC Coast navigation
  • MED A1/A2, STCW Basic, Adv. Firefighting, Survival Craft
  • SVOP, SVMO
  • Marine/Wilderness 1st Aid (CPR)
  • Serving it Right

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Salary compensation commensurate with experience
  • Meals, accommodations onboard, transportation to and from the vessel
  • Gratuities
  • Opportunity for career development
  • Flexible schedule where the operation can accommodate
  • Regular Employees are eligible for health benefits, including a health spending count.

Maple Leaf Adventures:

We are proud to be a leader in regenerative travel and part of British Columbia’s conservation economy. We are the first adventure cruise company (and the first cruise company in the world) to be part of 1% For The Planet.

At Maple Leaf Adventures we have the privilege to visit unique communities and cultures. We are dedicated to creating a team that reflects the spaces in which we live and work. We are committed to fostering a place where all feel included and recognized. Our crew return year after year, as life on board our ships reflects both our shared values and a wide variety of experiences, backgrounds and interests.

Maple Leaf Adventures recognizes the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All throughout the coast our tours travel through traditional lands of Coastal First Nations, which include the W’SANEC, Songhees, Qwuwtsun’, Sto:lo, Squamish, Sne-Nay-Mux, Se’shalt, Qualicum, Comox, Sliammon, Klahoose, Homalco, Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, Oweekeno, Nuxalk, Heiltsuk, Haisla, Tsimshian, Haida, Nisga’a, and Tlingit First Nations.

How to Apply:

  • Please send a Cover Letter and Resume to jobs@mapleleafadventures.com including the postion you are applying for and your last name in the Subject line. For example: Captain Smith.
  • Must be able to legally work in Canada. Canadian passport is mandatory (due to travel to and from the USA and Canada).
  • Due to the high number of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted.

No phone calls or drop-ins please