Job Details

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Who We Are

The Virginia Living Museum is a leader in natural living exhibits! Native Virginia mammals, marine life, reptiles, amphibians, birds, plants and planets are presented in natural ecosystems and honored for their ability to connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation.

Accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (living exhibits) and the American Alliance of Museums (non-live collections), the Museum's high standards are its hallmark, as only fourteen institutions share this designation in the country. Community volunteers outnumber staff by approximately 7:1 for incredible mission delivery. The Museum is a 2015 Governor's Environmental Excellence Gold Award recipient, and a certified Virginia Green attraction dedicated to environmentally friendly practices and education.

Our full-time employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including 35 days of paid time off per year (9 holidays, a birthday, 10 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 3 personal days), fully paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance, dental coverage, and health insurance costs partially subsidized by the Museum. Additional benefits include a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and the option to participate in a 401(k) retirement plan. Join us in our mission to inspire and connect people with the natural world while benefiting from a supportive and rewarding work environment.

General Statement of Duties

The Education Director leads natural science education for all audiences in the Museum and beyond. Responsibilities include curriculum development and contract negotiations for school systems, budget development and management, supervision of Education/Interpretation staff. Responsibilities also include the supervision, maintenance, and control of the Museum's non-live collections. This position recognizes the ability to achieve greater results by integrating skilled volunteers and leveraging their diverse knowledge to enhance the Virginia Living Museum's education mission. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biological/Environmental Sciences or Education with strong background in natural sciences (Master's Degree highly desirable).
• Creative, results driven high performer with an entrepreneurial spirit[DN2] , team attitude, and growth mindset.
• Inspirational educator with ability to develop, teach and communicate a wide variety of natural science programming for varied audiences ranging from children to adults.
• Five to seven years progressive experience in Curriculum development and programming, with excellent management/supervisory skills in a museum, nature center or similar educational facility.
• Professional teaching certification and public school teaching experience a plus.
• Proven ability to handle a variety of native wildlife; knowledge of non-live collection management procedures; experience with an AAM and/or AZA accredited organization a plus.
• Familiarity/experience with NASA/NSF/ISE programs and grant opportunities.
• Ability to oversee a variety of deadlines and projects simultaneously.
• Must be tactful and display discernment and discretion in all situations.
• Strong computer competency, including a facility for understanding database functions and operational software.
• Must be First Aid certified or be able to be certified at museum expense.

• Be a positive enthusiastic representative of the Virginia Living Museum.
• Enhance the guest experience by developing, and administering Museum life, earth, and space science programming for school groups (PreK-12), secondary, adults, family programs, laboratory and field classes, in-school outreach programs, specialized classes for gifted students, teacher training courses.
• Administration of contracts for curriculum coordinated programs with area schools and outreach activities.
• Work with VLM Education Council to determine, stimulate and develop community education needs and serve as the community resource for natural science.
• Develop and organize the Museum's special educational events on-site and off-site.
• Oversee safe animal handling practices for staff and volunteers in collaboration with the Living Exhibits Department, and provide on-going education. Oversee Museum non-live collections; maintenance and care, compliance with all laws and regulations with a Collections Manager.
• Works with all Museum departments to advance education/mission goals and revenues.
• Works with the Senior Director of Living Exhibits in the acquisition and exhibition of desired native wildlife.
• Support Museum accreditations with AAM and AZA.
• Develops Annual Plan with goals and objectives, prepares and implements department annual budget.
• Strategically recruits and manages department volunteers and their applicable skills to strengthen the Museum's mission and commitment to the community.
• Other duties as required.

• Ability to work in a variety of settings indoor and outdoor, to work occasional evenings/weekends and participate in overnight museum excursions that require travel.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and perceive detailed information through oral communication as well as have the ability to make the discriminations in sound.
• Physical requirements include medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able 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.
• Must have close visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, viewing a computer, and extensive reading.
• The position is subject to environmental conditions for activities occurring indoors and outdoors.