Associate Director of Education

About the Role

The Associate Director of Education is a non-tenure-track Public Service Faculty position responsible for strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Marine Education Center and Aquarium. The role oversees daily operations, including supervision of faculty and staff, facilities, vessels, and vehicles, while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and effective budget administration.

Responsibilities

• Administration and Leadership – 50%

  • Oversee daily operations at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium including supervision and responsibility for the faculty and staff, facilities, vessels and vehicles;
  • Serve on the leadership team for Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, facilitating communication and integration of personnel and education efforts between the aquarium, the Shellfish Research Lab, the Brunswick office, and the headquarters office in Athens;
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, multi-tiered education team;
  • Establish clear goals, performance metrics, and accountability structures across the department;
  • Oversee education related expenditures and budgets and insure that all UGA policies are implemented at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium;
  • Secure extramural funding through grants and/or contracts to support marine education and outreach programming or facility upgrades;
  • Represent Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and UGA at public and professional events.

• Marine Education Program Development – 25%

  • Develop field, laboratory, discussion and outreach programs in marine science and coastal ecology for diverse audiences;
  • Instruct and evaluate marine education programs that include field and lab studies as well as discussion and distance learning experiences for a wide range of audiences to include Pre-K-12 students, educators, college students and adults;
  • Cookordinate education activities with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s research and extension programs and with National Sea Grant Program initiatives;
  • Evaluate effectiveness of educational programming;
  • Cookordinate development of engaging, accessible visitor experiences within the aquarium.

• Strategic Planning and Development – 20%

  • Lead strategic planning and program development for the unit’s education program;
  • Partner with the Development team to support funding opportunities and cultivate donors for education initiatives;
  • Work in partnership with communications and education staff to drive visitor growth, promote programs, and enhance public visibility.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in informal education within an education center, zoo, aquarium, museum, or similar institution.

Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in informal education within an education center, zoo, aquarium, museum, or similar institution.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, And/or Certification:

• PhD in education, environmental science, biology, museum studies, or related field (or equivalent background)

• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in informal education within an education center, zoo, aquarium, museum, or similar institution

• Record of working in a university environment, multitasking, and working with multiple constituencies is desirable

• Record of working with federal, state, and non-profit groups is also desirable as is experience in business administration

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, environmental science, biology, museum studies, or related field.

Skills

• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, team leadership, and program development is required

• Expertise in developing and implementing innovative marine education programs

• Ability to work collaboratively with research faculty, educators, students, volunteers, and outreach and extension agents

• Familiarity of coastal and marine environments and issues, particularly as it relates to Georgia’s coast

• Ability to self-motivate, to work independently and as a member of a team, and to develop annual plans of work which include measurable outcomes

• Relevant skills applicable to education and outreach, public speaking, facilitation, technical writing, and computer use

• Evidence of evaluation and data-informed decision-making

• Demonstrated supervisory and management skills