Careers
Puget Sound Express is a family-owned whale watching company dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences in the waters of the Pacific Northwest. With decades of expertise, our team is passionate about connecting guests with the incredible marine life of the Salish Sea while promoting education, conservation and adventure.
We are currently accepting applicants for our 2026 season.
Naturalist Job Description
Positions available in each location.
Job Description
The role of naturalist within Puget Sound Express is to provide a memorable experience for guests on-board each tour by narrating the region’s wildlife, geography, history, vessel and waterway information. Along with creating an exciting, joyful, upbeat experience, each naturalist must have full and complete knowledge of crew duties so that they can advise and direct crew as needed while out on each tour. The Naturalist is to work in the middle, directly with the captain on the flow of each tour and directly with the crew as they support the food and beverage service on-board. Naturalists are an integral part of each tour, providing a seamless work atmosphere for captain and crew while providing a memorable experience for all guests on board.
Responsibilities
- Learn and maintain Puget Sound Express narrating style that encompasses the history of the company along with showcasing the wildlife of the area.
- Act as the onboard expert regarding location wildlife, geology, history and any other naturalist topics.
- Responsible for creating a fun and engaging atmosphere on-board for guests, while also being warm and genuine with them on each tour.
- Provide narration on and off a microphone.
- Use various on-board resources to educate guests, identify species and ecotypes of marine wildlife.
- Report sightings on slack at the end of each trip
- Understand and learn the conservation efforts that are on-going throughout the region and share with the public how PSE is involved and how they can be involved after each tour.
- Master the crew duties and have a complete understanding so that you can assist them when needed.
- Share duties with the crew like, handling money at the end of each trip, cleaning the vessel, assistance with food and beverage service, participation in boat prep and boat cleaning at the end of each day.
- Keep working areas clean and organized under the direction of crew managers.
- Work directly with crew managers or captains on any issues that may arise that could impact on the daily flow of tours.
- Must follow all company guidelines outlined in the crew handbook
- Enjoy and have FUN while working daily out on the water with the wonderful wildlife that call this area home.
Qualifications
- Previous vessel experience of at least 1+ year is required.
- Previous public speaking experience is required and doing so on a tour boat is a bonus.
- Excellent customer service is required with at least 3+ years of experience.
- Knowledge of the region’s geography, wildlife, history and waterways.
- Ability to safely stand on a moving platform for 5-12 hours.
- Ability to comfortably lift 40 pounds
- Subject to a pre-employment and random drug screening program required by the USCG
Crew Job Description
Positions available in each location.
Job Description
Crew member positions at Puget Sound Express are an excellent way to start your maritime career and learn about the wildlife that call this area home. The biggest role of the crew is to provide excellent customer service while on board each tour while maintaining safety throughout. Crew will learn all aspects of marine safety including line tying, emergency response and first aid needs while out on the water. Food and beverage service will also be part of their daily tasks.
Responsibilities
- Work as a member of the team with the Captains and Naturalists on board each tour. This includes maintaining a positive and team-oriented working attitude with highly variable and changing marine circumstances.
- Ensure customers have a memorable experience by providing upbeat, genuine, kind, joyful customer service throughout the tour.
- Maintain food and beverage service and possible table service when needed
- Keep a clean work environment, including but not limited to the galley, interior of the vessel, restrooms and storage areas.
- Be able to handle money and file correctly at the end of each tour
- Maintain the vessels readiness and accomplish the pre-trip and post-trip tasks in a timely efficient manner.
- Report to Naturalists, Captains and Crew managers when needed for any questions or additional information.
- Must follow all company guidelines outlined in the crew handbook
- Enjoy and have FUN while working daily on the water and learning about all the wonderful wildlife that call this area home.
Qualifications
- Experience working in a team setting
- Experience working in customer service
- Able to be a fast learner and flexible in all situations
- Able to maintain a clean and organized environment
- Ability to safely stand on a moving platform for 5-12 hours.
- Ability to comfortably lift 40 pounds
- Subject to a pre-employment and random drug screening program required by the USCG
Captain Job Description
(April – September Position) Port Townsend is the location we are actively hiring for.
Job Description
The captain’s role in Edmonds, Port Angeles or Port Townsend will be responsible for operating and maintaining tour vessels. Operation of all vessels requires a valid United States Master License of 100 ton. While maintaining and operating each vessel safely, the captain is also responsible for keeping a positive work environment for their crew on-board and providing an entertaining experience for guests on-board each tour. Experience in the passenger vessel industry is expected, and previous tour operator is a bonus.
Job Responsibilities
- Operate tour vessels safely from docking, transiting through rough weather and maneuvering around wildlife; all done in a safe manor.
- Maintaining vessel cleanliness from the engine room, wheelhouse and outside decks.
- Understand the daily flow of each tour and be able to asses distances and time it takes to accomplish wildlife viewing within the tour operating hours.
- Report to the Port Captain (1st) or General Manager (2nd) and communicate well with any mechanical issues that arise or information needed on the daily operation.
- Keep daily logs of all trip information and be up to date with any certifications relating to the USCG or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife licensing standards.
- Supervise the safety of all passengers. Provide a welcome aboard speech where you introduce yourself, tour plan, crew and safety equipment on board.
- Foster and lead your crew in daily tour execution and success through trust and leadership.
- Manage the aspects of daily tours from speaking on the microphone to guests, choosing where to conduct the tour based on weather, wildlife and any pertinent factors. Learn this flow from the Port Captain and continue to use him as a resource.
- Must follow all company guidelines outlined in the crew handbook
- Keep clear communication through various channels including but not limited to radios, phones and slack.
Job Qualifications
- Previous experience driving a coast guard inspected vessel with a 100ton license.
- Able and willing to participate in USCG random drug screening throughout their employment at Puget Sound Express
- Responsible individual and self-starter to accomplish a successful daily tour.
- Experience driving jet or monohull vessels.
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Latest News
Glorious Gray Whales!
Gray whale tours are officially underway in Edmonds! On Feb 14, passengers and crew were treated to glorious views of the T124A2 orcas around Holmes Harbor, giving guests a chance to capture some spectacular photos and videos On Feb 15, we spent time watching three...
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