JOB OPPORTUNITY: Education & Outreach Specialist with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

May 2023

The front of the Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center in Savannah, Georgia.

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary & Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, a unit of the University of Georgia, seeks applications to fill an immediate need for an Education & Outreach Specialist in the NOAA/Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Office.

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Position serves to support the outreach and education programs and activities for  Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) through development and administration at the Ocean Discovery Center located in Savannah, GA, as well as distributed events. The primary responsibility is delivering education and interpretation programs at the GRNMS Ocean Discovery Center. The Education & Outreach Specialist will develop GRNMS specific formal and non-formal environmental education/interpretive programs for in-person and virtual events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Under the guidance of the GRNMS Education Coordinator and the Superintendent, coordinate daily operations of the GRNMS Ocean Discovery Center including education and outreach programs, activities and volunteer staffing.
  2. With support and guidance from the Outreach and Education team, implement and maintain a Standard Operating Procedures manual for the center.
  3. With support and guidance from the Outreach and Education team led by the Education Coordinator, develop and provide key messaging, interpretive programming and daily operations for the center.
  4. Working with the Outreach and Education team led by the Education Coordinator, coordinate school visits, guided tours, interpretive programs, and special events.
  5. Train and manage volunteers working at the Center and leading outreach events. This includes identifying training needs, developing and implementing training, scheduling, performance feedback and volunteer appreciation.
  6. Works closely with GRNMS communication team on this task.
  7. Working with and under the guidance of the Education Coordinator and Superintendent, develop, lead, and evaluate GRNMS environmental education and interpretive programs for the center, offsite community presentations, and virtual events.
  8. In coordination with the communications team, serve as point of contact for vendors on any equipment upgrades and replacement of equipment and ensure any repairs or upgrades meet best practices and NOAA standards.
  9. Working with the Education Coordinator, ensure program objectives and milestones are accomplished; and support development and implementation of the annual operating plan and budget.
  10. Identify and submit grants that support the Center's exhibits and programs.
  11. Support other GRNMS team activities as necessary.

Training & Experience:

  1. Ability to communicate effectively for the purposes of coordinating activities; consulting with professional and technical experts; and securing cooperation from others.
  2. Experience working in visitor centers or similar environments.
  3. Solid Background training and managing volunteers.
  4. Strong organizational and time management skills.
  5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability and willingness to speak before a variety of audiences.
  6. Experience developing, leading, and evaluating environmental educational programs and developing program projections.
  7. Ability to innovate practical solutions to problems as they arise.
  8. Ability to use computer software programs provided.
  9. Ability to distinguish among competing priorities and balance complex and demanding workloads; organize and coordinate work assignments.
  10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
  11. Ability to occasionally work irregular hours; prepare reports and records.
  12. Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects.
  13. Driving as needed to perform job duties.
  14. Experience with interpretive based visitor's centers. (preferred)
  15. Experience supporting federally funded programs and/or events. (preferred)
  16. Successful completion of a criminal background check and drug test is required

Application deadline is "Open Until Filled".

Advertised salary:                $45,000–$50,700
Benefits Eligibility:               Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time:                        Full Time
Work Schedule:                    Workweek is average business hours Tuesday through Saturday, with occasional variability
Posting Date:                        05/11/2023
Open until filled:                   Yes
Closing Date:                        N/A
Proposed Starting Date:      06/01/2023     
Location of Vacancy:           Savannah Area

To apply, please submit application, resume, and cover letter for Job Posting #S10403P at the following URL: www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/316843

Please contact:

Karie Ann Neukomm, HR Specialist, at karie.neukomm@uga.edu or
Elliott Lam, State Program Manager, at elliott.lam@uga.edu
for any questions regarding this position.