MARINE EDUCATION ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE

State of Louisiana; Chauvin (LA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

LUMCON is seeking educators for its Marine Education & Outreach Program based at the Marine Center in Cocodrie and the Maritime Campus in Houma, LA. Educators lead field, lab, and classroom activities, travel to classrooms and events, and help educate the public about marine science and STEM.

Ideal candidates will have teaching experience or an environmental background, excellent communication, and the ability to work in field, lab, and classroom settings with diverse groups.

Qualifications

• B.S. with teaching experience or M.S. with an environmental focus.
• Good communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to work in field, lab, and classroom with large groups.
• Background check and valid driver's license required.
• Good people skills and classroom management.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Strong teamwork and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver in-depth marine science and STEM activities for a broad audience.
• Create lessons aligned with state science standards and accessible materials.
• Ensure safety of all visitors to LUMCON facilities.
• Maintain a positive, engaging learning environment and mutual respect.
• Travel to off-site events, classrooms, and festivals for outreach.
• Assist with program development for in-person and digital programs.
• Collect data for internal or grant reports.
• Attend staff meetings and special events.

Skills

Teaching experience

Environmental focus

Communication skills

Field work

Lab work

People skills

Classroom management

Teamwork

Project management

Driver's license

Background check

Lifting 50 pounds

Education

B.S. in teaching or M.S. in environmental focus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

LUMCON, a program of the Board of Regents, as a consortium is a statewide academic endeavor to focus and strengthen the effectiveness of foundational marine science needed to address the environmental and socioeconomic challenges facing Louisiana and the nation.

LUMCON has provided unparalleled opportunities in marine science and education to the research community and public alike. Anchored by a first-rate marine laboratory, the DeFelice Marine Center, LUMCON is embedded in Louisiana's dynamic wetland environment and conveniently located on a gateway to the open waters of the Gulf. From this facility, LUMCON operates a world-class fleet of research vessels unmatched in the Gulf. Since 2023, LUMCON has been expanding its programs through the opening of a maritime research and outreach facility in Houma.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

LUMCON is seeking candidates to fill various educator positions in the education and outreach program. We are currently looking for educators for the programs based at the Marine Center in Cocodrie, LA and at the new Maritime Campus in Houma, LA. The role of LUMCON Marine Educators is to support, facilitate, and ensure high quality experiences for all visitors of the LUMCON Marine Education & Outreach Program. This includes leading field, lab, and classroom activities for a wide variety of audiences that visit the Marine Center (Cocodrie) and the Maritime Campus facility (Houma). Marine Educators are also responsible for some travel to classrooms, festivals, and other community events to educate people about the goals and mission of LUMCON, marine science, and other STEM related content. All education activities are designed to fulfill the LUMCON Education Mission Statement.

LUMCON's Marine Education Program invests in communities through enriching and relevant place- and skill-based experiences on the coast for all learners among Louisiana's citizenry. The Program's purpose is to support and empower current and future marine scientists and ocean-literate citizens.

LUMCON educators must often work outside of the normal business hours to serve a community of users. Educators therefore work weekends, evenings, long days, and occasionally holidays. This position also requires extensive fieldwork in various locations including the LUMCON vessels, grounds, surrounding saltmarshes, and barrier islands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. with teaching experience or M.S. with an environmental focus.
• Good communication skills (written and oral).

• Ability to work in field, lab, and classroom situations with large groups of people.
• Must be able to pass an initial background check and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Good people skills and classroom management.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Good teamwork and project management skills.

IDEAL CANDIDATE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-5 years of experience working in a service industry.
• Experience in data management and report writing.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Have proficiency in swimming, boat handling, and paddling.
• Basic computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office programs, and Google Workspace apps and tools.
• Social media and digital content design experience.
• Skills in scheduling, designing, and facilitating video virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom, GotoMeetings, and GotoWebinar.
• Experience in basic animal husbandry, engineering skills, plumbing, or carpentry.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Deliver in-depth and hands-on marine science and STEM activities in a professional and level-appropriate way for a broad variety of audiences.
• Create lessons and activities which may need to be aligned with current state science education standards and that ensure accessibility features and functionalities that allow persons with disabilities to use materials effectively.
• Ensure the safety of all visitors to LUMCON facilities.
• Maintain a positive learning environment that supports learner engagement, and promotes mutual respect, and provides supportive learning opportunities.
• Enforce all LUMCON rules and policies.
• Make sure that all classroom and lab spaces are clean and ready for anyone who may need it for other programs.
• Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with learners, staff, and community members by communicating in a tactful, courteous, and confidential manner.
• Travel and deliver educational activities at off-site events such as festivals, in-school visits, and special programs.
• Chaperoning of participates during LUMCON-funded events (e.g. summer camps).
• Assist with program development for in-person and digital programs.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, storm readiness activities, and LUMCON special events.
• Work to develop program materials such as posters, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, resource packets, lesson plans, etc.
• Assist in gathering data for internal or grant reports.
• Assist with display aquarium maintenance and animal husbandry.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Education and Outreach.

Murt Conover

LUMCON Associate Director of Education and Outreach

[e-mail]

Board of Regents is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer

VACANCY INFORMATION:

This is an unclassified position.

This position is located in either Cocodrie or Houma, LA.

Applications will be rejected if the applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications, submits an incomplete application, or fails to apply by the closing date of the announcement.

Resumeswillnot be accepted in lieu of an application listing complete work experience and education.

Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript or any other materials as outlined in the posting to your application if possible.

In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form (I-9) upon hire.