Careers at Vancouver Island Whale Watch
Experience. Inspire. Protect.
Turn your Passion for Marine Wildlife into a Career
Here at Vancouver Island Whale Watch, we take whale watching to the next level. During our tours we not only aim to have people experience the wonders of the Salish Sea, we want these tours to have an impact. Through education and research, our tours are more than just sightseeing. Every encounter we have is an opportunity to contribute to local whale research and conservation.
When working with us, you get to spend your days alongside some of the most iconic wildlife in the world, sharing the water with Humpback Whales, Orca, Grey Whales, and more. You will feel rewarded not only by the experience itself, but by knowing that we are making a positive impact on the wildlife we see through our conservation efforts.
Our Mission and Values
We pride ourselves on being forward-thinking and pioneering sustainable practices here in the Salish Sea. Starting with our commitment to watch only healthy, growing whale populations, we showed that companies could have success while avoiding any endangered individuals. Moving forward, we continue to advocate for stronger protective measures to minimize impacts from whale watching, such as limiting the number of vessels that watch whales at a given time and avoiding watching sick, injured, or recently entangled whales.
When we watch whales, we can tell you the exact individual you are spending time with thanks to the high-quality camera equipment onboard and the ever-growing knowledge of our amazing crew members. This is important for the research we contribute to and for avoiding those sick or injured whales. Knowing the story of the whales you get to see on a tour enhances an already breathtaking experience.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for individuals who share our passion for wildlife, education, and conservation. To thrive in this position, you must be self-driven while remaining a team player. Working on the water requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to change, given the evolving weather conditions and unpredictability of the wildlife at the heart of our tours. A sharp eye and strong sealegs are also a big help!
Roles at Vancouver Island Whale Watch
Captain
As a captain with Vancouver Island Whale Watch, you are in charge of piloting the boat safely throughout the Salish Sea, maintaining regulated distances from all wildlife, and creating a fun and engaging trip for the guests. Our fleet consists of 3 vessels: the two Zodiac-style open boats Keta and Cascadia, and our semi-covered vessel Kula. Each of these vessels carries up to 12 passengers, requiring you to have your SVOP and all associated tickets. Prior industry experience is great, but we have a specialty captain training program that ensures you’re prepared to safely navigate the Salish Sea and handle any wildlife we may encounter.
Marine Naturalist
As a Marine Naturalist with Vancouver Island Whale Watch, there are two core parts of your job: your time on the water introducing guests to the amazing wildlife of the Salish Sea, and your time in the office working on sightings, blogs, and interacting with guests on land. On the water, you are the guests’ gateway to knowledge about all the wildlife that calls the Salish Sea home. Being able to translate your passion and excitement about the wildlife you encounter into educational and engaging topics for our guests is important, as is capturing images/video with the provided company camera equipment (or your own if you choose). Each encounter is recorded in detail for research use, which you will input at the end of each tour.
In the office, you work with these sightings, sharing your onboard experiences through our Recent Sightings blog and social media. You will also be able to book tours, process payments, and assist guests during check-in and after tours as needed. Our Marine Naturalists have, or are working towards, a post-secondary education in Marine Biology or a related field, or have the appropriate Naturalist training equivalent. This experience offers high-level interpretations of animal behaviour, current research, and the impact of local conservation efforts, making the information accessible to guests.
Guest Services
As a Guest Services agent with Vancouver Island Whale Watch, you will be helping make people’s dreams come true! As the primary point of contact by phone, email, or in person, you will help guests choose the adventure style that is best for them. In addition to reservations, you will also be able to work with content captured during the tours, adding your knowledge and passion to our Recent Sightings blogs and social media.
Ready to Apply?
If it sounds like you have what it takes to become a valued team member here at Vancouver Island Whale Watch, click below to see any current openings.