Senior Education Specialist - Online Program Instructor

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ individuals veterans and people with disabilities to apply.

Priority deadline for applications is September 12 2025 at 8am PST. Due to the volume of incoming applications the role may be closed earlier than September 12 2025.

Job Summary:

Under limited supervision manage all aspects of multiple Education programs and/or projects; delegate tasks to the program staff; coach and review their work; provide expert advice to internal and external stakeholders; draft articles and papers for publication; stay informed as to the latest science opinions strategies and standards with respect to formal and informal STEM education and programming as well as our target audiences; manage special projects as they arise and represent the Education Division both internally across divisions and in the community as needed; perform other duties as assigned.

Core Activities:

• Program Delivery: Lead existing training sessions for professional educators and lead existing educational sessions for PK-12 students in both short-term and long-term programs including:
  • Develop a full understanding of and expertise in the topic
  • Gather necessary learning tools props documents and/or presentation slides
  • Identify and implement modifications to existing learning tools props documents and/or presentation slides based on the needs of the specific audience and the latest research
  • Facilitate in-person and online sessions assessing and adjusting as-needed during the sessions based on the developmental and learning needs of the specific audience
  • Build and maintain a positive culturally responsive program environment that encourages strong relationships among and between program participants volunteers and staff
• Program Development: Lead colleagues to create test and iterate short- and long-term programs including:
  • Front-end audience evaluation and research to understand the needs of the specific audience
  • Identify existing and needed curriculum for the program to meet stated learning goals
  • Create program agendas with estimated timing materials and facilitators
  • Identify and implement modifications to program agendas based on evaluation results and the latest educational research
  • Ensure programs utilize culturally responsive education strategies
• Curriculum Development: Create test and iterate NGSS-aligned inquiry-based curriculum for PK-12 students including hands-on activities interactive presentations and digital products such as online courses and educational creating curriculum allow for learners diverse needs developmental stages and conservation readiness; and integrate culturally responsive teaching practices. Identify schedule and coordinate the acquisition of project supplies and resources including food outdoor equipment volunteers and educational materials under the direction of program leads.
• Stay informed on the latest science research opinions strategies and academic standards with respect to formal and informal STEM education and programming and the needs of our target audiences.
• Train mentor and coach program staff in leading existing educational sessions to PK-12 students and/or educators adjusting as-needed based on the needs of the specific audience prior to and during the session. Provide performance feedback to staff and management as needed.
• Supervise part-time staff seasonal staff and/or volunteers helping them work toward professional goals while they plan and deliver parts of short-term and long-term Education programs.
• Manage work plans for assigned programs and projects including outlining necessary tasks for project completion assigning select logistical and operational tasks to program team members and monitoring to ensure task completion. Report milestone progress to management.
• Collaborate with management to build program budgets and manage to the approved budget.
• Manage all aspects of equitable program recruitment including:
  • Engage with community members connected to the target audience
  • Collaborate with Marketing to create and edit recruitment tools such as websites flyers and emails
  • Create applications
  • Oversee the application review and acceptance process with a focus on equity
  • Communicate directly with program applicants
• Design new or improve existing evaluation tools and methods to measure program outcomes in collaboration with Education Division leadership and outside consultants.
• Implement existing evaluation tools analyze the resulting data and report progress toward achieving target program outcomes.
• Contribute to the peer-reviewed publication of educational research findings through academic writing and editing.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with program participants community members other educators and leaders in the field of equitable environmental STEM education.

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Bachelors degree with an emphasis in natural science formal or informal education curriculum youth or educator development; or equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• Strong understanding of marine science content and integrated STEM educational practices.
• Knowledge of national and state standards teaching methods and youth development strategies.
• Two or more years of experience facilitating educational activities with PK-12 students.
• Commitment to culturally responsive education.
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining positive learning environments including strong team building skills.
• Able to write clearly concisely and fluently in English.
• Strong speaking skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to contribute to multiple simultaneous projects.
• Flexible with changes in work priorities.
• Familiarity with Monterey Bay natural history as well as marine and basic science.
• Experience and comfort in the use of technology as an educational tool with students including but not limited to iPad apps Google Suite and web-based educational tools.
• Ability to work within and maintain Monterey Bay Aquariums Core Values.
• Based on program focus may prefer added qualifications: 1) teaching credential 2) extensive experience integrating STEAM including experience training other educators in technology integration and maker tools and managing Apple hardware.

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Typical office equipment; standard vehicle including large vans and pick-up trucks; utilize a laptop computer tablet cell phone VR headset and other hand-held technologies.
• Constant sitting standing walking bending; Standing to present for much of the day; regularly walking and hiking indoors and outdoors: Some pushing carts of materials.
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Typical office environment main Aquarium and exhibits occasional offsite events; present in classrooms (Bechtel Center for Ocean Education and Leadership Aquarium labs etc.) and in the field (on beaches wetlands forests parks etc.); comfort in the water to be able to accompany students on water events such as tide pooling snorkeling and boogie boarding.

Annual Compensation Range:

$68640 - $82000 Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set

Required Experience:

Senior IC