Salary Range :42000.00 To 46000.00 (USD) Annually

JOB POSTING

Senior marine science educator—school outreach programs

Posted: Open to internal and external applicants

Reports to: School outreach coordinator

Status: Full-time, salaried, benefitted position

Hours of work: Standard Monday–Friday workweek, 8am–5pm. Flexibility for early morning, weekend or evening shifts as related to programs is required.

Date needed: September 2019

Posting expires: Open until filled

About the organization:

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment through a variety of channels, including a compelling exhibit experience and engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to underserved populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, strong and consistent marketing efforts and more.

We’re noted for our collaborative, communicative and team-oriented working environment. Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community; maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices, and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we’re the eighth-largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and we welcome over 850,000 people through our front doors each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’ve developed a master plan to substantially increase in size and impact by opening a new exhibit building, the Ocean Pavilion. Our current annual budget is $18 million.

Position description:

The Aquarium is looking for a senior marine science educator focused on school outreach to join the school and public programs (SPP) team. This position requires an implementer and schedule planner who will work to support curriculum development for all programs offered for the kindergarten through high school audiences within the school outreach team. There will also be occasional opportunities to work with other programs on the SPP team. The senior educator will work with the school outreach programs coordinator to lead and support staff while instructing programs in local schools and at local field sites, ensure the ongoing excellence of SPP programs, assist with the development of new programming, and assist with the scheduling of staff and resources as needed.

We view this work through an equity lens, with the goals of removing barriers where they exist for members of the community to meaningfully engage with the Aquarium; to foster authentic, mutual relationships between the Aquarium and the community; and to bring diverse audiences together to achieve our mission. This work supports our strategic plan goal of inspiring conservation and making the Aquarium and its programs accessible and welcoming to all.

Essential functions:

  • Deliver high quality school outreach programming for early-childhood, elementary, middle school and high school audiences. Occasionally assist with on-site classroom programs for K–12 audience, summer camp instruction and family audience programs.
  • Under the direction of the school outreach coordinator, act as a program lead on specific program days.
  • Work with the school outreach coordinator to maintain staff schedules by reviewing the staffing calendar regularly and making suggestions. Proactively identify and address issues before they occur.
  • Work with the school outreach coordinator to write curriculum, develop programs and create educational materials as needed and in languages other than English as applicable.
  • Assist in documenting, reviewing and reporting on programs.
  • Contribute through professional conduct to a working environment that is energetic, innovative and collaborative.
  • Keep familiar with current research in the Next Generation Science Standards and informal/nonformal learning environments.
  • In collaboration with team members and cross-departmental staff, work to make the Aquarium and our programs more welcoming and inclusive for all.

Additional responsibilities:

  • Support the maintenance and/or creation of education collections both living and other as needed.
  • Assist with the training of new temporary staff and volunteers in programming.
  • Other tasks such as maintenance and organization of school supplies, participation in regular meetings and program focus groups as needed.

Required skills, abilities:

  • Interest and expertise in marine science and conservation. Experience with or interest in learning intertidal animal handling, care and collection.
  • Professional demeanor and understanding of appropriate educator conduct and group management.
  • Ability to work with people of all ages and handle a variety of situations—including those that may be complicated or challenging—with grace, empathy and a sense of humor.
  • Excellent teaching and interpretive skills.
  • Knowledge of current informal education best practices.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficiency in office software applications.
  • Familiarity with state and national educational standards, NGSS, and Ocean Literacy Principles.

Experience, education and certifications: We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education in order to meet minimum requirements.

Required:

  • Minimum of two to three years’ teaching experience in an informal education facility or school or classroom setting.
  • Minimum of one to two years’ education program development experience in an informal education facility.
  • B.A. or B.S. in education, child development, recreation, environmental science, biology or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in informal education curriculum writing.
  • Experience working with diverse racial and socio-economic audiences.
  • Washington driver’s license (or eligibility to obtain one upon arrival) and a good driving record.*
  • Adult, child and baby first aid and CPR/AED and anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injector training and certification proof required by end of training.

Preferred:

  • Bilingual abilities.
  • Field research experience.
  • Experience assisting with coordination of programs and staff scheduling.

Working conditions:

  • Be able to stand for long periods of time and lift 30 pounds or more.
  • Requires duties to be carried out in offices, exhibits, classrooms, service areas and the field.
  • Requires working outdoors in all weather conditions and terrain.
  • Washington state driver’s license required for local travel and use of Aquarium vehicles.*
  • Comfortable with animal handling and husbandry.

Salary and benefits:

$42,000–$46,000/year, D.O.E. Please include salary expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, health reimbursement account, medical and dental flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, an Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

How to apply:

The Seattle Aquarium is a progressive, equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce. All candidates are encouraged to apply by uploading a résumé and one-page letter detailing interest and relevant experience in our online application.

Application link can be found here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=98930ce8-632f-495a-bf7b-12cd372446bd&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=300677&source=CC3&lang=en_US

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job.

*Note: Must pass a background check and motor vehicle records check, upon job offer, to be eligible for this position. Regarding driving records, during the last 36 months you must not have had any of the following experiences: left the scene of an accident; been convicted of reckless, negligent or careless driving; had automobile insurance canceled, declined or not renewed; been convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related offense; had driver’s license suspended or revoked; or been convicted of three or more speeding violations.