Educator

North Carolina Aquariums; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Aquarium Fort Fisher seeks an Educator to develop and present audience-driven educational programs aligned with conservation messaging. The role involves onsite programs, outreach to local parks, schools, libraries, and occasional travel, using live animals and interactive tools.

Responsibilities include coordinating with interns and volunteers, collaborating with other departments, and ensuring engaging, standards-based experiences that inspire curiosity in visitors of all

Qualifications

• Experience developing, presenting, and evaluating effective public programs in a zoo, aquarium, nature center, museum, or similar setting.
• Certificate or proficiency in environmental education, science communication, or resource interpretation.
• Experience presenting live animals to diverse audiences.
• Experience transporting program materials to and from the primary worksite for programs.
• Experience planning and facilitating engaging programs for families and young children.

Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate educational/interpretive programs using live animals, props, biofacts, and technology to support program goals.
• Evaluate programs for best practices and alignment with school standards and program outcomes.
• Assist with daily operations of the Education Department and some travel for off-site programs.
• Support Education interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers as needed.
• Collaborate with Education staff and other departments to coordinate logistics and promotion of programs.
• Maintain best practices of pedagogy and interpretation for conservation messaging.

Skills

Public programs experience

Environmental education knowledge

Live animals presentation

Interpreting programs

Family programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Agency Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources Division Aquariums Job Classification Title Museum Curator I (NS) Position Number 60034875 Grade NC06

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Description of Work

The North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher is seeking a collaborative and dynamic individual to join our team as an Educator. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is closed for construction of a major renovation for approximately 30 months. While the Aquarium building is closed, the primary duty station is Discovery Bay at Independence Mall in Wilmington, NC. The Educator conducts audience-driven educational and interpretive* programs aligned with aquarium, division, and department missions. Engaging, interactive, and scientifically accurate programs are delivered independently and in collaboration with other aquarium staff. The Educator is responsible for facilitating scheduled scripted educational and interpretive programs as well as impromptu dialogue-centered engagements with visitors. This employee must be able to speak enthusiastically, professionally, accurately, and articulately to individuals and large groups in a variety of settings. Educators facilitate programs and activities onsite at aquarium properties as well as outdoors in local parks, schools, libraries, and other community locations. *Educational programs align with specific standards and talking points for targeted learning outcomes, and interpretive programs focus on facilitating personal meaning and connection between the audience and the resource. Educators occasionally assist the volunteer coordinators by supporting the volunteers’ daily tasks. Educators collaborate with other departments to coordinate logistics, material development, and promotion of educational programs and events. Educators are responsible for maintaining best practices of pedagogy and interpretation for conservation messaging.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate educational/interpretive programs using live animals, props, biofacts, and technology as tools to support the goals and objectives of the program.
• Evaluate programs for best practices of mission-based communication, appropriate incorporation of school learning standards as needed, and for outcomes that meet program goals.
• Assist with the daily operations of the Education Department, including education station coverage, onsite program coverage, and some travel for off-site programs (educational events and outreach).
• Support Education interns, seasonal staff, and volunteers as needed.
• Work cooperatively with Education staff and other departments to achieve the overall mission of the Aquarium.
• Internal and external communication and customer service.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above. Recruitment Range: $35,596 - $49,685

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment, will not be considered for qualifying credit. Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required.

Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Experience developing, presenting, and evaluating effective and engaging public programs and events in a zoo, aquarium, nature center, museum, or similar setting.
• Certificate or demonstrated proficiency in environmental education, science communication, and/or resource interpretation.
• Experience presenting live animals to a variety of audiences.
• Experience facilitating educational and/or interpretive programs that require transporting program materials to and from primary worksite.
• Experience planning and facilitating engaging programs for families and young children.

Position / Physical Requirements

Weekend, evening, and holiday work will be required. Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment. Recommended candidate will be subject to a background check prior to hiring.

Schedule

Typical schedule will be 4x 10-hour shifts with 1 hour lunch break 9a.m.-8p.m. Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat Subject to change according to the needs of the organization.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor's degree in Art History, Biology, Botany, Conservation, Education, History or Zoology from an appropriately accredited institution AND two years of museum or related work; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information Section / Unit Description

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 20 miles south of Wilmington, NC, in Kure Beach, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. A living collection of more than 4,000 animals in 93,000 square feet of exhibit space attracts and engages more than 500,000 visitors each year. The Aquarium is surrounded by protected woodland, marsh, and beach. Visitors often plan to stop at sites adjacent to the Aquarium - Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and historic Fort Fisher Civil War Museum. Fort Fisher Aquarium is a unique place to visit and work.

EEO Statement

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

State Application Resources / Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Education and Experience. The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.