The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is seeking an innovative, forward-thinking, and guest-focused leader with a strong commitment and passion for education and conservation. The Program Educator III - Community Engagement, Special Programs and Ongoing Learning will develop engaging and relevant educational programs focused on conservation that appeals to a diverse range of audiences. The Virginia Aquarium values inclusivity and aims to attract and engage new and diverse visitors. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to lead teams to develop, implement, and evaluate successful revenue-generating events, seek out and build diverse community partnerships, and create ongoing learning opportunities to enhance guest engagement and satisfaction.
Responsibilities:
- Create collaborations with external partners, (e.g., Association of Zoos & Aquariums, National Marine Educators Association, universities and colleges, local community organizations and other nonprofit education and conservation organizations.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external individuals and groups to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships to expand the reach and impact of the Virginia Aquarium mission.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to reach broader and more diverse audiences with a focus on advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity initiatives.
- Develop conservation-focused programs that create connections and encourage and promote learning, using a common language and teaching strategies currently implemented at the Aquarium and other informal learning institutions.
- Serve as project leader, leading matrixed teams responsible for special programs and revenue-generating events to deliver a high-quality experience for all guests.
- Establish budget, timeline, and goals for each event and collaborate with all institutional stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
- Prepare comprehensive post-event reports and analyses.
- Proactively drive special programs and revenue-generating events to ensure an outstanding experience for all guests.
- Demonstrate experience in establishing and executing a clear vision, while motivating and inspiring team members to achieve strategic objectives.
- Coordinate with the Aquarium’s Office of Volunteer Engagement to assist in recruiting volunteers for special programs and events.
- Conduct training sessions and facilitate ongoing learning to ensure content accuracy, appropriate delivery methods, and use of effective evaluation tools to measure success.
- Collaborate with other sections within the Aquarium to ensure that relevant conservation messages and actions are incorporated as integral components of every program and event.
- Serve as manager on duty on a rotating basis, ensuring day-to-day operations of the Aquarium run smoothly, addressing guest-related issues and coordinating appropriate responses to any incidents that may arise.
- Supervise the work of the Program Educator II-Special Projects Coordinator, including hourly staff and volunteers.
- Perform other job duties requiring relevant skills, knowledge, and physical capabilities as demanded by the duties described.
- Must be flexible to work weekends and evenings as required to accommodate operational needs.
- The City of Virginia Beach offers a generous benefits package such as health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans.
Other key benefits include:
- Paid Maternity/Paternity and Parental Care Leave
- Employee Wellness Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional Development
- Leave Donation Program
- Experience Required
- Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to ten (10) years educational experience in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as classroom teacher, education specialist or curriculum development coordinator.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be available to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime when required to meet operational needs.
- This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employees supervisor based on position assigned.
- Further Comments
Preferences:
- Three or more years experience working in cultural attractions, zoos, aquariums, parks, museums, themed entertainment, or similar setting.
- Experience collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating special programs and revenue-generating events.
- Experience in customer service and guest engagement in cultural attractions, zoos, aquariums, parks, museums, themed entertainment, or similar setting.
- Experience conducting and facilitating training sessions and ongoing learning.
- Experience preparing budgets and conducting cost analysis for revenue-generating events.
- Experience supervising staff, including interns, part-time staff and volunteers.
- Experience leading matrixed teams.
Perks
- https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/Careers/Full-time-Employee-Benefits.pdf
Salary
- G.24, $54,288.00-$84,156.80 - Starting Salary: minimum of the pay range
