Manager, Education Programs, NOAA Ocean Guardian School

Position Title:         Education Program Manager, NOAA Ocean Guardian School

Department:           Education

Classification:         Exempt

Direct Report:         Director, Education

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a grant position and is funded until 8/01/2024.  The position may continue after that date if the sponsor chooses.  If the sponsor elects not to continue funding the program, then the position will be eliminated.  The successful applicant will be entitled to all full-time benefits provided by Georgia Aquarium, except for the discretionary Georgia Aquarium annual bonus.

The primary responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the development and management of the NOAA Ocean Guardian Program. This program provides project(s) for students related to the conservation of local watersheds, the world's ocean, and/or special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The program also provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents, and friends to participate in a range of environmental and sustainable activities. The Program Manager will also provide learning programs and opportunities that reflect environmentally sustainable practices that enable all students to be environmentally active and committed "Ocean Guardians." The Program Manager will work closely with NOAA and Gray’s Reef to provide ways for classrooms to promote best environmental practices within local communities, while at the same time projecting a positive image of the school itself.

Under the supervision and direction of the Director of Education, the Program Manager, Ocean Guardian will be responsible for the following: 

1. Researching and creating relationships with schools in the Atlanta area, throughout Georgia, and the Southeastern United States.
2. Determining schools’ eligibility to participate.
3. Planning and scheduling groups participating in the Ocean Guardian Schools Program. Coordinate and facilitate collaboration between participating schools to share ideas, research, and data collection.
4. Planning, coordinating, and attending field work for participating schools.
5. Working with NOAA, National Marine Sanctuaries, and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to identity and certify participants as Ocean Guardian Schools
6. Organizing travel for groups outside of Atlanta when needed.
7. Planning and executing large-scale events to support Ocean Guardian Program, which will involve liaising with multiple departments.
8. Coordinating meetings with participating schools to provide guidance and support as needed.
9. Working in partnership with Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary to develop and introduce schools in the coastal area to Ocean Guardian Program.
10. Providing interviews to media about the program.
11. Discussing Ocean Guardian Program with current and potential sponsors.
12. Controlling the annual program budget, including tracking all expenses.
13. Any other duties as required to ensure the smooth and effective running of Ocean Guardian Schools Program.
14. Collaborate with Director on strategy for maximizing attendance and program experience for all participating schools.
15. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required.
16. Adhere to all GAI policies.
17. Perform other duties as workload necessitates.

Required Skills:

1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science or education-related field required.
2. Master’s degree in science or education-related field preferred.
3. At least 5 years’ experience teaching in formal or informal setting required.
4. Up-to-date knowledge on innovative pedagogies and the educational landscape in Atlanta preferred.
5. Current knowledge of wildlife conservation, scientific research, education trends, and environmental issues preferred.
6. Experience scheduling staff, managing payroll, and budgeting preferred.
7. Experience leading others towards a common goal and a desire to cultivate an atmosphere of positivity, respect, and fun.
8. Experience planning and facilitating events or experiences with multiple moving parts preferred.
9. Previous experience and a passion for working with children and animals is a plus.
10. A general posture of thinking outside the box, taking challenges head-on, and assuming the best in others required.
11. Ability to develop systems that assure quality and produce error-free work.
12. Can skillfully manage multiple projects without losing details and organize workload according to priorities.
13. Clear reasoning skills: ability to stay focused on goals and objectives while analyzing relevant details.
14. Problem-solver who sees change as an opportunity and finds a way to make things work. 
15. Helps others succeed whenever possible and shows initiative in the face of challenges.
16. Exceptional interpersonal skills to interface with internal and external audiences.
17. Ability to stay calm under pressure.
18. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills as well as presentation skills. 
19. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are the representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, work in tight spaces and work at heights using proper safety precautions. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Commitment:

I commit to the Georgia Aquarium, Inc. the following:

Vision:  To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Mission:  Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion