Education Associate

General Statement of Duties 

The Education Associate is responsible for developing and presenting a wide variety of life and earth science programs for museum guests and assists in Museum-wide special events to further our education mission. Some weekend, evening, and overnight work is required. This position recognizes the capacity to achieve greater results by integrating skilled volunteers, leveraging their diverse knowledge and skills. This position reports directly to the Education Director. 

Qualifications 

• Be passionate about education and conservation.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology or education field with solid background in science. 
• Experience working in a museum, nature center, or similar education facility.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and teach a wide range of natural science programs for varied audiences ranging from preschool children to adults. 
• Knowledge of current education techniques and best practices. 
• Willing to handle a variety of live ambassador animals in a program setting; experience preferred. 
• Excellent class management, organizational and time management skills. 
• Self-motivated with minimum supervision and detail oriented. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Outgoing, friendly, confident personality. Able to interact with a wide variety of people in a tactful and courteous manner. 
• Must demonstrate good judgment and discretion.
• Must be able to remain calm and give clear direction in an emergency situation. 
• CPR & First Aid certified or willing to become certified at the museum's expense.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Be a positive enthusiastic representative of the Virginia Living Museum.
• Develop and deliver educational programming:
• Develop preK-12 science programs and present at the museum, in schools and other offsite locations.
• Develop homeschool and gifted student programs and present at the museum and in schools.
• Develop public programs and safaris for people of all ages and present programs at the museum and other locations.
• Develop graduate level teacher training classes and present as needed.
• Train other educators (full-time, seasonal) and volunteers for programming.
• Enhance the guest experience providing fun educational experiences for the community.
• Develop, coordinate, and implement Museum educational special events. Assist with other VLM events.
• Create engaging and educational messaging for exhibits. 
• Create educational content for social media communications.
• Develop and update training materials and train volunteers to interpret exhibits and safely handle live ambassador animals. 
• Develop activities and volunteer training for traveling exhibits, and represent the museum at media engagements promoting the exhibit.
• Match volunteer talent with departmental needs and actively engage and oversee those volunteers in the compilation of duties.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must be able to hear and speak clearly.
• Occasional evening, weekend and overnight work required.
• Ability to work in a variety of activity settings to include canoeing streams and ponds, exploring caves, hiking through woods and on hilly terrain, etc.
• Physical requirements include medium work, and must be able to lift up to 50 lbs comfortably.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and move about on foot to accomplish tasks. 
• Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, lift, grasp, feel, and utilize repetitive motions.
• This position is subject to environmental conditions for activities occurring indoors and outdoors. 

Supervision Exercised: None