Beach Ambassador Education and Outreach Coordinator

Project Overview 

A strategy to increase public wellness, the Beach Ambassador Project aims to effectively communicate Lake Michigan beach conditions while increasing water safety awareness and knowledge among the general public. The Beach Ambassador Project is organized by Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee Water Commons, the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, and local water-safety leaders. The Beach Ambassador Team engages with beachgoers between Bradford and McKinley Beaches, clearly and effectively educating the public about current or potential beach hazards, including rip currents and beach closures due to water quality. For more info see https://beachambassadorsmke.org/

Background

The Beach Ambassador Program was developed in 2021 by Milwaukee partners as a response to water safety concerns at Lake Michigan beaches such as increased beach use during the COVID-19 pandemic, inadequate signage, a national lifeguard shortage, and racial inequities related to swimming, water safety and increased drownings. Since 2021, 5 part-time seasonal employees (“Beach Ambassadors”) per year have provided beach goers at Bradford and McKinley Beaches with water safety information through a face to face approach. The program has since engaged over 2200 beach goers in water-safety conversation and provided useful websites and knowledge about topics such as rip currents and water quality, and also has expanded to include a website, educational workshops with youth, outreach and tabling events, water safety social media campaigns, sidewalk chalking, and more. We are committed to growing awareness of Great Lakes water safety strategies to ensure Milwaukee beachgoers can have safe, meaningful experiences on the water. 

Position Description

The “Beach Ambassador Education and Outreach Coordinator” will be responsible for further developing and coordinating education programming on Great Lakes water safety in Spring 2026 and will also serve as a Beach Ambassador along with 4 colleagues in Summer 2026 where they will spend ~15 hours per week walking on the beach speaking directly to beachgoers, youth, and the general public about current and potential water safety concerns, and sharing outreach materials and online resources to help them better prepare for a safe day at the beach. 

Responsibilities 

• Create and deliver water safety messaging using a range of strategies (including, but not limited to): educational workshops, face to face dialogue, tabling at outreach events, social media, sidewalk chalking, media interviews, art programs
• Coordinate BA youth programming including taking inventory of current water safety curriculum, updating or developing new curriculum, and recruiting summer participants
• Participate in weekly meetings with supervisor, team members, and project leads
• Coordinate with local and regional water organizations
• Assist with administrative duties to support the overall program including data collection 
• Maintain the Beach Ambassador station and program materials.
• Be flexible to take on additional duties as assigned according to needs, skills, and abilities

Requirements

• Must be a current student (18 yrs or older) 
• Afternoon and weekend availability from June through August 2026
• Ability to walk 2-5 miles per shift in various weather conditions.
• Participate in a 2-day BA training in early June to learn skills related to water safety (e.g., how to monitor daily beach conditions, identify hazardous weather conditions, how to escape a rip current, appropriate beach safety equipment) and effective ways to inform the public
• Work as a team member, actively communicating and coordinating with Beach Ambassador team members, project partners, and Milwaukee County Parks beachfront staff. 

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision as well as in a team
• Service-oriented, able to enthusiastically engage the public in focused conversation with targeted communications
• Project leadership experience
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate new ideas/perspectives
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• Experience working with youth and/or teachers
• Commitment to sustainability, the environment, and social issues 
• Experience creating K-12 curriculum or outreach materials (flyers, social media posts, etc.) a plus
• Interest in water safety and/or water recreation or related background
• Engagement and/or knowledge of Milwaukee’s community programs and resources a plus
• Basic computer skills including the use of Google Suite (Ex: Google Docs, Google Sheet)

Additional Information

This is a part-time position, with a starting hourly rate of $20. Hours and dates of position are flexible but will average 15-25 hours / week from May 2026 to September 2026. Note that afternoon and weekend shifts are required throughout the summer with approximately 12-15 hours per week spent on the beach. The position is a student hourly position and does NOT include any benefits or tuition reimbursement. The Beach Ambassador Educator and Outreach Coordinator will report directly to the Wisconsin Sea Grant Social Science Outreach Specialist. 

Wisconsin Sea Grant is part of a network of 33 state-federal partnership Sea Grant programs across the country that support coastal ecosystems and communities through research, education, and outreach. Sea Grant’s mission is to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources to create a sustainable economy and environment. Wisconsin Sea Grant encourages interested individuals from all identities, backgrounds and skill levels to apply as all completed applications will be considered for employment. 

How to Apply

Please compile a one-page resume and a one-page cover letter explaining your interest in this position with an emphasis on any relevant background/experiences you may have including your commitment to environmental and/or social issues in Milwaukee, experience you have with public speaking or community engagement and as well as 2 references (at least one professional and one personal including your relationship to them and their contact information). Send materials to Dr. Deidre Peroff at dmperoff@aqua.wisc.edu with the subject line “Beach Ambassador Education Position”. If you need assistance compiling a resume and/or cover letter, we encourage you to reach out to your faculty advisor or consult online resources. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed beginning April 12.