Field Staff Operations Manager, Polar

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we’re now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

The Field Staff Operations Manager oversees the polar operational needs and tools for the Field Staff Department and works to create systems and protocols for managing our expedition operations in polar regions explored by primarily the Bluewater fleet. This position works in conjunction with the other members of the Field Staff Department and the Expedition Development team to innovate and constantly improve operations.

The Field Staff Operations Manager will spend approximately 70 – 100 days per year traveling to ships, training staff, and mentoring Expedition Leaders, while occasionally filling in as Expedition Leader. This position reports to the Director of Field Staff.

• Manage all Field Staff-based Polar Operations, such as:
• Oversee the need for and use of new polar operations equipment (i.e. cross-country skis, snowshoes, kayaks, firearms).
• Develop and implement training as needed for activities such as firearms, hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, bear safety, etc.
• Manage the firearms program and Weapon’s Masters.
• Work with Marine Operations and Compliance to create and disseminate pertinent guidelines, protocols, and Zodiac trainings to the fleet.
• Help create safety videos for polar ship operations.
• Assist Field Staff Coordinators to understand and disseminate information about polar destination requirements and training.
• Act as Field Staff Department liaison for all Bluewater vessels during shipyard.
• Act as liaison and a Lindblad staff representative for IAATO and AECO, including serving on Working Groups and collaborating with Marine and Expedition Development.
• Collaborate with the Expedition Equipment Specialist to ensure that all shipboard equipment is properly maintained and inventoried, and equipment is ordered efficiently.
• Work with Expedition Development to identify innovative tools for exploration in polar regions.

• Communicate all IAATO and AECO updates to the Field Staff Department, including both field and shoreside team members.
• Communicate with shoreside teams on staff-related concerns (voyage operations and expectations, marketing information boards, etc.).
• Review weekly digital comment cards and adjust expedition operations appropriately.
• Regularly host debriefs with Expedition Leaders and provide feedback to field staff.
• Frequently visit the ships to provide mentorship and/or training for Expedition Leaders and other Field Staff, and to build report with Ship’s officers and crew.
• Keep the Field Staff Logistics Manager and Field Staff Manager up to date with operational Field Staff Handbook needs.
• Assist with the National Geographic Explorers-In-Training program or LEXU.
• May fill in as Expedition Leader on 1 – 2 trips per year.

• BA/BS degree or equivalent industry experience
• Extensive experience in field operations within an expedition travel environment, including polar regions specifically Antarctica and polar bear habitat
• Must have extensive experience driving zodiac
• Must have comfort in the water and snorkeling
• General knowledge of natural and human history of the places to which National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions travels
• Strong skills in time management, handling multiple tasks, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines
• The ability to work independently, as well as with others, in a team environment
• Proficient working in the Windows operating system
• Using the English language, this person must have an ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in…