Announcement - Prince William Sound Science Center

 Prince William Sound Science Center April 2015 Position Announcement – Science Education Coordinator The Prince William Sound Science Center is recruiting a Full-­‐Time Science Education Coordinator (year-­‐
round, salaried position eligible for benefits) to lead environmental and science-­‐based experiential education programs and staff in the Center’s Headwaters to Ocean education department. Headwaters to Ocean programs provide hands-­‐on learning opportunities both in formal school settings and outdoors using the incredible landscape of Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta as a natural laboratory for science discovery. Creation of new programming and revitalization of some temporarily dormant programming, such as overnight summer camps and day camps, required. General responsibilities: Create, manage, and teach classroom science lessons and outdoor education field experiences, including overnights, for youth in grades 3-­‐12 to improve understanding of the ecosystems of the bioregion with an emphasis on marine and aquatic systems. The Coordinator will manage grant-­‐funded programs in the Center’s summer and school year programs, including summer science camps, festivals and a variety of school year programs: Discovery programs in the local elementary school; Outreach Discovery programs offered in other communities; and middle/high school programs, including serving as coach of the local high school’s National Ocean Sciences Bowl team. Grant proposal writing and writing reports to funders will be a required part of the position. This person will coordinate and/or oversee responsibilities of one or more colleagues and/or interns, including hiring when needed. Some travel within Alaska required. Program details and responsibilities: School Year programs § Design and lead implementation of monthly Discovery program lessons, scientific monitoring projects, and field trips for school-­‐aged youth with staff assistants and/or program partners. § Collaborate with education staff and program partners to deliver Outreach Discovery programs in communities outside of Cordova. § Recruit and prepare high school students to compete in the Alaska Regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. Responsible for delivering content lectures across ocean sciences disciplines, coordinating guest lectures by local experts, ensuring team completion of a college-­‐
level research paper and presentation, and leading quiz bowl practice sessions. Accompany team to state competition as lead coach and, if successful, to national level competition. § Maintain program resource materials. Summer programs § Collaborate with education staff and program partners to schedule, create, and implement new environmental science lessons and field experiences for PWSSC’s summer overnight science camps, science day camps, Science Center outreach and community events. 1 §
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Lead program marketing (website, blog, newsletters, fliers, distribution of brochures). Manage camp registration, track payments, send forms and communicate with parents/guardians regarding program content, schedule, appropriate clothing/gear and participant travel. Provide participant supervision during camp programs (including overnights) and coordinate services including free lunch program, kayak rentals and guide services. Lead camp staff orientation and trainings (including securing appropriate experts to deliver defensive driving, boater safety, bear/moose safety, bear spray/firearm safety). Lead and teach camp programs of varying lengths, including overnight camps lasting multiple days. Provide logistical support for summer education programs, including transportation, meal plans, and the set up and take down/storage of camp buildings and supplies used during the summer. Assist in the annual review of camp procedures, policies, insurance and risk management practices. General Program Management § Ensure program grant objectives and deliverables are met and assist with record keeping, reporting and program outreach (education blog, articles, media etc.). § Conduct fundraising, grant writing and program reporting for education programs. § Continually evaluate and improve upon the accomplishments of programs and project goals/objectives. Qualifications § Bachelor’s Degree or higher with degree in biology, ecology, marine science, environmental science, or related subject. § Command of or ability to rapidly self-­‐master content within the marine sciences as well as an understanding of the scientific method and ability to convey § Experience in youth outdoor leadership and science education in formal or informal education setting. § Experience writing curriculum and planning lessons for formal and informal science education environments. § Enthusiasm and excitement to develop new programs from the ground up, including developing key partnerships and/or staff capabilities to make them come to fruition. § Experience with grant writing and reporting. § Familiarity with partnership development and management. § Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate staff. § Ability to organize, prioritize and efficiently complete multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail and high degree of professionalism. § Excellent verbal and written communication, public speaking and collaboration skills. § Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with PWSSC staff and program partners. § Familiarity and interest in social networking and innovative use of technologies for communication. § Literacy with Microsoft Office Suite and PC or Mac-­‐based media editing software. § Wilderness First Responder or Backcountry First Aid certification or ability to certify. § Able to lift 50 pounds and move objects of that weight from one location to another. 2 Position and Location The Cordova-­‐based position is full time and eligible for benefits. Position is dependent on grant funds. Preferred starting date June 2015. Occasional travel is required. Responsible to: PWS Science Center President/CEO. Salary dependent upon experience and benefit package chosen. To Apply Submit letter of interest explaining how our mission and vision resonate with you and why you are uniquely qualified for this role; resume; and a list of three references to: Katrina Hoffman, President and CEO, PWSSC, P.O. Box 705, Cordova, AK 99574. Email applications preferred: khoffman[at]pwssc.org with [at] replaced by an @ symbol. Subject line: Science Education Coordinator. Position review begins May 15, 2015. Position open until filled. The Prince William Sound Science Center is located in Cordova, Alaska, on the eastern shores of Prince William Sound. For further information about Cordova, visit www.pwssc.org, www.cityofcordova.net or www.cordovachamber.com. 3