Naturalist

Safety Sensitive Vessel Crew Position

The primary responsibility of this position is to support the safe operation of the vessel and the safety of its passengers and crew under the Captain’s direction. This is a safety-sensitive vessel crew role with assigned operational and emergency-response duties. These responsibilities take precedence over all other duties, including tour narration, education, hospitality, retail, and guest service. This precedence is operational, not merely nominal. The employee is expected to interrupt or end a narration, a sale, or a guest interaction at any time in order to stand lookout, respond to a safety concern, take up an assigned emergency station, or carry out the Captain’s instructions.

The employee serves under the Captain’s operational authority and must perform the safety duties assigned for the vessel. Applicable USCG requirements include 46 CFR Part 16, 46 CFR Part 4, Subpart 4.06, and 33 CFR Part 95. Random drug-testing coverage is based on assigned duties under 46 CFR 16.230, including required crew functions and emergency passenger assistance or control.

Where the assigned vessel’s Certificate of Inspection requires this position as part of the vessel’s minimum crew complement, the vessel may not lawfully carry passengers unless the position is filled and the employee is aboard. Human Resources and Port Operations will confirm the manning requirement and the emergency station assignment for the assigned vessel before the employee serves in the position.

This is a vessel-based crew position whose duties contribute to the vessel’s operation and mission and involve regular exposure to marine hazards. For employees with a substantial employment connection, in both duration and nature, to a vessel in navigation or an identifiable fleet, the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. 30104) and applicable general maritime law govern seaman injury rights and remedies. Seaman status under any statute is determined by the duties an employee actually performs. This position is designed, assigned, and supervised so that the duties described in this document are in fact performed, and the employee is expected to perform them. Status under the Jones Act and the general maritime law is determined separately from classification under wage and hour law; the two tests are not the same. Nothing in this description waives applicable rights, including maintenance and cure where legally available.

Summary

The primary responsibility of this position is to support the safe operation of the vessel and the safety of its passengers and crew under the Captain’s direction. The Naturalist performs assigned passenger safety and emergency-response duties, delivers safety briefings, assists with safe boarding and disembarking, and handles lines within training and authorization. When safety and operational needs are met, the Naturalist provides engaging education on Southeast Alaska’s human and natural history, flora, fauna, glaciology, and climate, and supports vessel cleanliness, retail, and food service.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Vessel Operations & Safety

Tour Narrative & Education

Galley Support & Facilities Maintenance

Drug and Alcohol Compliance and Fitness for Duty

Complete the company-required pre-employment drug test and receive a verified negative result before performing covered vessel duties; HR may accept a documented regulatory exception under 46 CFR 16.210(b) only if authorized by company policy. Participate in unannounced random drug testing, reasonable-cause drug testing, and required drug and alcohol testing following a serious marine incident, as applicable under 46 CFR Part 16 and Part 4, Subpart 4.06. Federal drug testing follows 49 CFR Part 40. Any additional company testing is administered separately under company policy and applicable law.

Do not use alcohol or intoxicants while on duty or work while impaired. On inspected vessels, do not perform scheduled duties within four hours after consuming alcohol, as required by 33 CFR 95.045; stricter company rules also apply. A verified positive drug test or refusal requires removal from covered duties as applicable; return requires all applicable USCG/DOT and company conditions. Regulatory eligibility to return does not guarantee reinstatement.

Promptly notify HR of any expiration, suspension, restriction, or loss of a credential required for the assignment, and comply with reporting obligations in applicable company policies. Maintain required credentials and vessel-specific qualifications; do not perform duties outside their scope.

Overtime Classification and Time Allocation

This position is classified as exempt from the overtime requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Alaska Wage and Hour Act because the employee is “employed as a seaman.” 29 U.S.C. § 213(b)(6); AS 23.10.060(d)(8). The exemption applies to overtime only. It does not affect minimum wage, recordkeeping, or any other requirement of either Act.

The classification is applied workweek by workweek. In any workweek in which the employee spends more than 20 percent of hours worked on duties that do not aid the operation of the vessel as a means of transportation — including any pre-season or post-season workweek devoted primarily to shoreside training, office work, vessel maintenance, or lay-up — the employee will be treated as non-exempt for that workweek and paid overtime accordingly.

In an ordinary operating-season workweek, the employee is expected to devote not less than 80 percent of hours worked to vessel operation, passenger safety, and emergency readiness duties. Narration, education, retail, and food service are secondary and are expected to occupy not more than 20 percent of hours worked.

An employee whose actual duties in any workweek differ materially from this allocation should report that promptly to the Captain and to Human Resources so that the assignment and the classification can be reviewed. Allen Marine encourages employees to raise questions about pay or classification, and no employee will be subject to any adverse action for doing so.

Minimum Qualifications

Ability to carry out assigned vessel emergency duties, communicate safety instructions clearly, and respond promptly to passenger and crew safety needs, with or without reasonable accommodation. Complete required vessel-specific training before performing assigned duties.

Required Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Traits and Characteristics

To deliver world-class experiences guided by the following Alaska Native cultural values, safely and sustainably. Embrace Traditional Alaska Native cultural values, including humility and pride, respect for all people (including oneself), respect for nature, humor, patience, strength, and holding each other up.

Follow & Deliver Core Values:

Environmental Conditions

The environmental conditions are those that an employee may be subject to while performing the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

Regular vessel service includes marine hazards and responsibility for passenger and crew safety. Maintain readiness for assigned emergency duties throughout the shift. Follow applicable company safety and incident-reporting policies, including any adopted DUI/DWI reporting requirements.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes No