Field Staff Operations Manager

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 23 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

ROLE OVERVIEW
The Field Staff Operations Manager oversees the operational needs and tools for the Field Staff and works to create systems and protocols for managing our expedition operations. This position directly manages the Expedition Equipment Specialist and works in conjunction with this person and the Expedition Development (Product) team to innovate and constantly improve our operations. The Field Staff Operations Manager will spend 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.

EXPEDITION OPERATIONS:
• Oversee need for and use of new equipment (i.e. cross-country skis, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks)
• Develop and refine protocols as needed for activities like cross-country skiing, bear safety, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), zodiac driving, and rifle training (Arctic only).
• Develop and implement operations-based training for Field Staff.
• Work with Marine Operations and Compliance to disseminate guidelines and protocols to the fleet.
• Help create safety videos for ship operations.
• Assist Field Staff Coordinators to understand and disseminate information about destination requirements and training.
• Act as Field Staff Department liaison for all vessels for shipyard.
• Manage 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.
• Work with IT to ensure all staff computers and cell phones are updated, functioning, and stored properly onboard.

ADMINISTRATIVE:
• Work with Field Staff Logistics Manager and Field Staff Manager on all Field Staff Handbook updates and changes.
• Communicate with shoreside teams on staff-related concerns (voyage documentation expectations to staff, marketing questions, information boards etc.).
• Review weekly digital comment cards, and adjusts expedition operations appropriately.
• Regularly hosts debriefs with expedition leaders and provides feedback to field staff.
• Act as liaison and a Lindblad staff representative for IAATO and AECO; communicate all IAATO and AECO updates to the department, including Expedition Leaders and staff.
• Frequently visit the ships to provide mentorship and/or training for Expedition Leaders and other Field Staff and build report with Ship’s officers and crew.
• May fill in as Expedition Leader on 1 – 2 trips per year.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• 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 writing and orally--with a professional demeanor, while building relationships over long distances.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience in a leadership position in polar regions strongly preferred, and experience working aboard LEX expedition vessels preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of--and acquaintance with--Lindblad Expeditions field staff preferred.
• Certified and experienced in rifle operations
• Familiarity with AECO/IAATO
• Professional experience operating in brown and black bear habitat
• Inventory and gear management experience
• Experience working within Outlook, SharePoint and OneDrive

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. In the field, the employee will participate in field excursions, including driving zodiacs for several hours per day, hikes over uneven terrain for up to 7 miles, and kayaking up to 3 miles.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an incumbent in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required of persons so classified or assigned.