Fishing Academy Supervisor

Position Announcement

Approximately June 8, 2026 – August 31, 2026

The Fishing Academy was established back in 2010 with a mission of connecting kids to the island. In 2022, the Fishing Academy became a program of BIMI whose mission is cultivating curiosity and inspiring appreciation of the marine environment through education, exploration, and conservation. 

The Fishing Academy Supervisor conducts the administration and oversight of the Fishing academy program. Approximately 25% of the role will be spent in direct support of the BIMI Center and Aquarium, working closely with the Operations Manager. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversees the Fishing Academy program; responsible for additional Fishing Academy staff and volunteers assigned to the daily program. 
• Ensures the safety of all attendees of Fishing Academy, including the participants, the staff and volunteers, and themselves.
• Under direction of the Operations Manager, providing daily maintenance of fishing rods, supply wagon, van, and all related fishing equipment. 
• Engaging with visitors, providing education about local marine species. Further educating visitors about BIMI, Block Island, its local flora and fauna, sustainable marine systems, and various other marine science and maritime activities.
• Maintains and tracks the Fishing Academy Attendees for each program day.
• Responsible for checking weather patterns and making appropriate cancellation calls due to hazardous weather conditions.
• Keeps families and attendees informed on cancellations due to weather and reschedules/refunds attendees if necessary.
• Actively encouraging guests to visit the aquariums and participate in programs, providing ongoing education as to opportunities that are available.
• Participating in the creation of social media content related to the Fishing Academy program on at least a weekly basis for the duration of the internship. 
• Documenting daily activities, observations, and research. 
• Distributing posters, brochures, and other program information electronically and at locations around the Island. 
• Participating in other island activities and coordinating with staff from other environmental education and community support programs on the island.
• Assisting with private Fishing Academy sessions for visiting school groups, clubs, and clients  as needed.
• Sales of merchandise and programs. Encouraging donations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Qualifications

• Maintaining and exuding high energy is required for this role. 
• Experience in salt and freshwater fishing techniques is preferred. 
• Working knowledge of marine science, ecology, or marine environmental education, preferably working towards a Bachelors or Masters degree.
• Knowledge of temperate marine ecology is preferred, knowledge of the Block Island marine ecology is heavily preferred.
• Supervisory experience is preferred. 
• Experience working with children in an educational or recreational setting is heavily preferred.
• HIGHLY motivated and self-driven – must be an independent thinker and accomplish tasks independently.
• Effective communication skills – must have the ability to clearly communicate with supervisors, coworkers, and visitors of all ages.
• Ability to interact appropriately with children, adults, and peers.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team structure. BIMI staff live and work on the same premises requiring that interns be able to communicate effectively with the BIMI team, seeking out support from co-workers and/or the Director and Operation Manager when needed.
• Familiarity with various social media formats and ability to post on BIMI’s behalf preferred.
• Must be able to provide evidence of a criminal background check completed by the local police.
• Must be able to complete First Aid and CPR training prior to employment. (BIMI will reimburse this expense as needed, if hired).
• Lifeguard experience preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Compensation 

• $20 per hour with housing included.
• If housing is NOT needed; Substantial Housing Stipend is available.
• If the intern takes employment outside of BIMI, they will be required to pay half their share of the housing cost.
• The Fishing Academy Supervisor will average 35 to 40 hours per week at regular pay from about June 8th to approx. August 31st.
• Unscheduled overtime (over 40 hours) may be needed.

Other

• Fishing Academy Supervisor is part of a team supervised by the Operations Manager and Director.

How to Apply

• Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. To be considered in the first round of interviews, full application packet must be submitted via e-mail to bimi02807@gmail.com by January 15, 2026. We will accept applications after the due date, but applications submitted before or on the 15th will be given precedent for interviews. For more information, email or call Erin Mullen, Director or Cole Judkins, Operations Manager at 401-500-3501.

Packet must include:

• Current Resume including any specialized certifications and/or skills including full name, mail address, e-mail address, and phone number where you can be reached.
• College Transcripts.
• Cover Letter (in 500 words or less) detailing your career goals, what you hope to gain from an internship; and what sets you apart from other candidates.
• Two (2) Reference Letters from a non-family member sent to bimi02807@gmail.com.

Full-time Seasonal Marine Science and Maritime Activities Educator

Position Announcement

Approximately June 15, 2026 – August 31, 2026

Primary Responsibilities

• Providing a welcoming environment for visitors, both adults and children. 
• Engaging with visitors at our aquarium exhibits, providing education about the species on display. Further educating visitors about BIMI, Block Island, its local flora and fauna, sustainable marine systems, and various other marine science and maritime activities.
• Actively encouraging guests to visit the aquariums and participate in programs, providing ongoing education through opportunities that are available.
• Ensuring the optimal animal health and wellbeing of our animals through water quality testing, feeding, and checks.
• Leading and assisting with programs as needed.
• Participating in the creation of social media content on at least a weekly basis for the duration of the internship. 
• Assist and provide oversight to volunteers. 
• Documenting daily activities, observations, and research. 
• Under direction of the Operations Manager, providing maintenance of the aquarium tanks and Institute facilities. 
• Participating in island activities and coordinating with staff from other environmental education and community support programs on the island.
• Participating in marine mammal rescues as needed.
• Assisting with visiting school groups and clubs as needed.
• Sales of merchandise and programs. Encouraging donations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Qualifications

• Working knowledge of marine science, ecology, or marine environmental education, preferably working towards a Bachelors or Masters degree.
• Experience working with children in an educational or recreational setting is preferred.
• HIGHLY motivated and self-driven – must be an independent thinker and accomplish tasks independently.
• Effective communication skills – must have the ability to clearly communicate with supervisors, coworkers, and visitors of all ages.
• Ability to interact appropriately with children, adults, and peers.
• Familiarity with various social media formats and ability to post on BIMI’s behalf preferred.
• Must be able to work effectively in a team structure. BIMI staff live and work on the same premises requiring that interns be able to communicate effectively with the BIMI team, seeking out support from co-workers and/or the Director and Operations Manager when needed.
• Must be able to provide evidence of a criminal background check completed by the local police.
• Must be able to complete First Aid and CPR training prior to employment. (BIMI will reimburse this expense as needed, if hired).
• Lifeguard experience preferred.
• Experience on the water or in water sports is preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Compensation 

• $16.50 per hour with housing included.
• If the intern takes employment outside of BIMI, they will be required to pay half their share of the housing cost.
• The internship will average 35 to 40 hours per week at regular pay from about June 15th to about August 31st with occasional opportunities for overtime.

Other: Interns are part of a team supervised by the Operations Manager and Director.

How to Apply

• Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. To be considered in the first round of interviews, full application packet must be submitted via e-mail to bimi02807@gmail.com by January 15, 2026. We will accept applications after the due date, but applications submitted before or on the 15th will be given precedent for interviews. For more information, email or call Erin Mullen, Director or Cole Judkins, Operations Manager at 401-500-3501.

Packet must include:

• Current Resume including any specialized certifications and/or skills including full name, mail address, e-mail address, and phone number where you can be reached.
• College Transcripts.
• Cover Letter (in 500 words or less) detailing your career goals, what you hope to gain from an internship; and what sets you apart from other candidates.
• Two (2) Reference Letters from a non-family member sent to bimi02807@gmail.com.