Education and Outreach Specialist
3 days ago
Newport News
Job Description Location: Newport News, VA Supervisor: Program Operations Manager Status: Full-time, Exempt. No direct reports. What We Need The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking an Education and Outreach Specialist, a position responsible for developing and implementing education and outreach initiatives for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Specifically, the Education and Outreach Specialist will support work that is part of the scope of a cooperative agreement between the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries focused on generating visibility and national awareness of NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, both as the location of the iconic Civil War ironclad and as America’s first national marine sanctuary. The Education and Outreach Specialist will play a key role in supporting the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary on behalf of the Foundation by developing education and outreach programs, helping to establish and cultivate cooperative relationships with community-based programs and organizations, managing the sanctuary’s web and social media accounts, creating virtual programming, providing support to the Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator, and performing other administrative duties, as required. The position will be based in NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary office on the grounds of The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. A belief in our mission, excellent project management and communication skills, as well as a strong team mentality, is a must. Who We Are On January 30, 1975, NOAA designated the wreck of USS Monitor, lying off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as the nation’s first national marine sanctuary. Monitor was the prototype for U.S. Civil War ironclad, turreted warships that significantly altered both naval technology and marine architecture in the 19th century. Monitor is regarded as the ancestor of modern battleships, and its significance is further recognized by being listed by the Department of Interior as a National Historic Landmark. For 50 years, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary has worked with partners to honor and interpret USS Monitor for the American people, including facilitating the interment of the remains of two Monitor sailors at Arlington National Cemetery. Sanctuary education and outreach programs raise public awareness about the sanctuary and its resources, encourage public involvement in resource protection, increase knowledge about maritime history, and expand ocean literacy. Today Monitor is a conduit to our past, and more importantly, a conduit to our future. By using innovative technologies, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and its partners are providing access to Monitor’s heritage in ways never imagined before. Through pioneering new artifact conservation techniques and immersive virtual and 3D print interpretation, Monitor’s ironclad legacy will inspire the next generation of marine scientists for decades to come. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations. What You’ll Do The person in this role will be a creative, analytical thinker with strong content development skills and a passion for formal and informal education and public outreach. As the Education and Outreach Specialist, you’ll be embedded with the NOAA Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, and be responsible for: • Day-to-day management of MNMS education and outreach programs., • Developing and implementing MNMS education and outreach action plans., • Developing education, outreach, marketing, and communication materials, programs, and tools for both history and STEM-related topics., • Collaborating with the sanctuary’s partner, The Mariners’ Museum and Park, to support existing Monitor-centric programming, and work alongside The Mariners’ staff to create new education and outreach programs and products. Collaborative programming formats include at the Museum, in the classroom, virtual, and outdoors in Mariners’ Park., • Collaborating with sanctuary staff and partners in the development and execution of education and outreach events., • Evaluating the effectiveness of education and outreach programs., • Day-to-day management of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary website and social media channels, including curating posts, sourcing assets, collaboration with other teams, managing platforms, and engaging with the social community., • Managing the development and execution of all social campaigns to drive public engagement and strengthen Monitor National Marine Sanctuary awareness and brand equity., • Providing support and assistance in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Submerged NC webinar series., • Developing and sustaining strategic partnerships to enhance the sanctuary’s ability to inspire ocean conservation, ocean literacy, and cultural heritage., • Identifying opportunities for partner education and outreach activities, including maintaining Letters of Agreement with formalized partnerships., • Managing education and outreach volunteers and interns., • Assisting in providing logistical support for the Sanctuary Advisory Council meetings, including assistance with development of the meeting agenda, meeting minutes, and performing other duties as needed., • Perform other duties, as required. Who You Are As the Education and Outreach Specialist, you’re a mission-driven, communication-savvy individual who has a passion for sharing our nation’s cultural heritage and marine environment and can develop and activate education and digital strategies that bring the wonder and value of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to life for your audience. You have a commitment to engaging storytelling, a strong sense of initiative, and work well independently. Required Qualifications: • A degree that included or was supplemented by major study in education or a combination of education and experience with courses equivalent to a major in education., • Minimum of three years of specialized experience in education. Area of focus should include environmental and ocean sciences, American history, or another related field., • Experience in developing K-12 activities, curriculum, or training for educators., • Excellent communication, organizational, writing, and project management skills., • Experience producing plain-language web content, with a focus on social media for a federal agency, education or non-profit organization, congressional office, private company, or other professional organization., • High level of accuracy and attention to detail., • Ability to perform under tight deadlines and juggle multiple tasks and projects., • Demonstrated initiative, ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented and collaborative environment., • Proficient with video and image editing software, preferably with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, InDesign)., • Adept with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace., • A sincere interest in, and commitment to, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and the Foundation’s missions., • Demonstrates the ability to forge partnerships with diverse communities and organizations., • Willingness and ability to travel in support of sanctuary activities when needed., • Experience working for or with federal or state agencies., • Experience and/or knowledge of national marine sanctuaries., • Proficient with 3D printed and 3D print software. Why You Will Love Us • Dedicated and passionate staff committed to the conservation of the sites throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System., • Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid federal holidays., • Health Benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision., • Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance., • Transportation subsidy Applications must include a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references. Applications received by September 29, 2025 will be preferred. Location: Newport News, VA. based (Monitor National Marine Sanctuary office location), with an ability to work on a hybrid schedule, as needed. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.