JR Specialist / Assistant Specialist (HIMB Community Education Coordinator) Pos 0086043

To apply visit: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hawaiiedu/jobs/3744747/jr-specialist-assistant-specialist-himb-community-education-coordinator-pos-0?keywords=marine%20biology&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Title: Junior Specialist / Assistant Specialist (HIMB Community Education Coordinator)
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent, , renewal subject to satisfactory performance
Department: University of Hawai'i at Manoa - SOEST - Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology
Job Number: 2022-01470
Position Number: 0086043

Description:

Hiring Unit: Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology/SOEST
Location: Moku o Loe (Coconut Island), Kaneohe
Date Posted: 09/29/22
Closing Date: Continuous - Application review begins 12/9/2022
Salary Information: S2M11 or S3M11, salary schedules and placement information 
Monthly Type: 11 Month

Other Conditions

Subject to position clearance and availability of funds.   This is an 11-month,permanent, tenure-track, S2 Junior Specialist or S3 Assistant Specialist position supported by government funds. Continuation dependent on satisfactory performance.

 Background

The Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa invites applications for the HIMB Community Education Coordinator. This is an 11-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Junior or Assistant Specialist. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to enhance and build upon its existing Center for Community Education (CCE) suite of programs, facilitating access to education and outreach both on Moku o Loe and at off-site partner venues for school and community participants. CCE content broadly focuses on education in marine science and conservation in the nearshore environment, while serving as a vehicle for broader impacts for HIMB’s current research and marine stewardship efforts. In addition to collaborating with HIMB’s existing faculty to complement their expertise, as well as with graduate students and postdocs interested in the intersection of scientific research and informal science education, the candidate will be expected to prioritize a Hawaiian sense of place throughout CCE programming and collaborate with external community partners, including but not limited to, Native Hawaiian organizations. A priority on providing education access, establishing partnerships, promoting diversity and equity, student mentoring, and collegiality will be among the primary criteria in selecting the successful candidate. We invite excellent applicants from relevant disciplines in broad areas of marine biology, marine science, environmental science, marine science education, and environmental education.

The mission of HIMB is to be a global hub for cutting-edge science, technology, and education aimed at understanding and conserving tropical marine and coastal ecosystems. The Institute’s principal facilities and operations are located on Moku o Loe (Coconut Island), a 29-acre island surrounded by a coral reef in Kaneohe Bay on the windward side of the island of Oahu, about 15 miles from the UH Manoa campus. The research, education, and service programs at HIMB currently encompass basic and applied aspects of tropical marine biology, coral reef ecology, and marine science education research and curriculum development, including areas of emphasis in the following five sub-disciplines: 1) coral reef biophysical and biogeographical research; 2) coral reef physiology, ecology, evolution, and biodiversity; 3) fisheries research; 4) population-, spatial and behavioral ecology of marine megafauna; 5) Indigenous resource management and multiple ways of knowing; and 6) K-20 marine education and community outreach. The Institute has just completed a $40 million renovation of its facilities to accommodate growing research and education programs, and in support of approximately 150 employees, including 23 research and education faculty.

Committed to the UH Manoa’s strategic priority and institutional goal of becoming a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, HIMB has a deep engagement with, and commitment to, its neighborhood educational and non-profit organization partners, including but not limited to the Windward Community College, the Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Koolau Foundation, Paepae o Heeia, Kakoo Oiwi, The Pacific American Foundation, and the Kaneohe and Kahalu?u Neighborhood Boards. In collaboration with many of these partners, HIMB serves as administrative lead for the recently designated Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve, approximately 1,400 acres of estuary and coastal wetland in Kaneohe Bay, including Moku o Loe. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is a land-, sea-, space-and sun-grant institution with an enrollment of approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students. In addition to its own faculty and staff, HIMB sponsors affiliated faculty from other University of Hawaii campuses, scientists from federal and state agencies, short-term visiting scientists, and adjunct faculty.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Specific core responsibilities and primary functions of the Community Education Coordinator will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the HIMB Center for Community Education, including overseeing management of budget, managing income, and seeking extramural funding sources.
• Develop and oversee tours and marine science education activities, grounded in a Hawaiian sense of place, for a range of audiences that include the general public, elementary to college-age students, families, and subject-area professionals (including multi-day and short overnight programs, as appropriate) for a broad range of ages on- and off-site.
• Implement and coordinate an education volunteer program that provides training and a shared sense of commitment to produce a dedicated long-term corps of volunteer docents.
• Manage volunteers and staff, including the development of systems to manage recruitment, screening, training, scheduling, and recognition.
• Identify informal science education funding opportunities to ensure the long-term viability of HIMB’s outreach and informal science education programs.
• Work cooperatively with HIMB faculty and partners from the community, university, state and federal agencies, education, museum, scientific and environmental communities in the furtherance of program goals.
• Serve as an information resource for the public on HIMB’s research and education initiatives.
• Oversee the loaning of microscopes and teaching equipment and provide a variety of links and logistic support for HIMB graduate students, researchers, or other educators that are pursuing education efforts of their own.
• Disseminate curriculum and results of program testing in professional journals and/or present papers or demonstrate programs at professional conferences.
• Maintain and update the CCE Website portal through which schools and the public sign up for programs and tours, and training and support materials are disbursed to teachers and volunteers.
• Oversee and develop the education program’s live exhibits, facilities, and equipment.

 Junior Specialist Minimum Qualifications

• A Master’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing with a combination of significant coursework and experience in marine sciences, oceanography, marine education, biology, or related field. 
• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in marine, environmental and/or science education in an aquarium, science center, museum, school, or other community-based setting.
• Proven ability to assimilate complex scientific concepts and materials and accurately interpret this information to a broad range of audiences.     
• Knowledge of Hawaiian language and culture as it relates to Hawaiian natural history and stewardship, and familiarity with synthesizing across traditional ecological knowledge and marine education programming and activities.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain rapport with students, teachers, and the public as shown through past evaluations or letter of recommendation comments.
• Ability to work independently and meet performance standards.     
• Knowledge of education methods, materials, procedures, and techniques used in curriculum development as applicable to science or museum education.
• Ability to lead on-site and off-site activities, including walking, hiking, wading, swimming, snorkeling, and other physical activities as appropriate to the program. 
• Knowledge of Hawaiian marine natural history, biology, and ecology of aquatic organisms.

 Assistant Specialist Minimum Qualifications

• Same as Junior Specialist level, as well as:
• 30 credits beyond Master’s Degree from a college or university of recognized standing with significant coursework in marine sciences, oceanography, marine education, biology, or other relevant field.
• At least three (3) years of experience in education and/or related field at the Junior Specialist level or equivalent.

Desirable qualifications   

• Demonstrated ability to manage volunteers and staff, including the development of systems to manage recruitment, screening, training, scheduling, and recognition.
• Knowledge of best practices related to risk management, particularly as it relates to the development of informal, outdoor, and coastal education programs, and the utilization of volunteers.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology’s research activities, programs, and faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to write successful grant proposals.
• Ability to work some nights, weekends, and/or holidays and flexible working hours to offer programs in time periods convenient for the target audiences to attend. 
• Knowledge of photography adequate for documenting program classes and activities.
• Experience with web page development, blogging, and/or podcasting.
• Knowledge of distance learning techniques.

To apply:

Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. Please submit the following: (1) cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; (2) curriculum vitae, (3) the names and contact information for at least three professional references; and (4) official transcripts (copies accepted, however official transcripts will be required upon hire). Incomplete and unreadable applications will not be considered.  The application will be considered incomplete if materials are unreadable.  Minimum qualifications must be met by the effective date of application. If you submit more than one application, only the most recent application will be considered. Note:  If you have not applied for a position before using NEOGOV, you will need to create an account after clicking on the "APPLY" button.

Inquiries: himbdir@hawaii.edu 

NEOGOV Inquiries:  steffiny@hawaii.edu

Subject Line:  Community Education Coordinator

EEO/AA, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.  For more information or inquiries regarding these policies, please refer to the following link: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/eeo-coordinators/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

Accommodation Request:  The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.  Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/