Senior Educator

Role overview

The Senior Educator is a senior-level member of the Interpretation and Engagement team at the New England Aquarium. This role focuses on designing and delivering interpretive programs that encourage ocean conservation action and deepen public understanding of the Aquarium’s exhibits, scientific work, research, and conservation mission.

In addition to creating programs from idea stage through rollout, the position includes coaching and developing staff, interns, and volunteers in interpretation, conservation messaging, and strong program delivery. The role also calls for demonstrated leadership and support for supervisory responsibilities.

Work schedule and location

This is a regular full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package. The weekly schedule runs Tuesday through Saturday. A hybrid arrangement is available, with some work completed on-site and some remotely. Available shift options are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Remote work is limited to residents of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and Vermont.

Key responsibilities

The educator will lead interpretive programming and conservation learning messages that support the organization’s mission, making sure in-person and virtual experiences align strategically. The role uses current guest engagement and interpretation practices to build programs that highlight the Aquarium’s expertise, research, advocacy, and conservation work.

This person will act as a subject-matter resource for interpretation and program design, and will help train colleagues across departments on how to present complex conservation topics in an engaging and accessible way to audiences such as visitors, members, donors, trustees, and media.

The position also involves contributing to and leading cross-functional projects and working groups across Learning and Engagement, Animal Care, Marketing and Communications, Visitor Experience, and other teams. It includes mentoring multiple educator groups, including paid staff, volunteers, adult interns, and teen interns, while helping maintain high standards for mission-based interpretation.

Additional duties include delivering public programs, improving understanding of conservation issues, connecting audiences with advocacy and community involvement opportunities, representing the Aquarium with external organizations at local, state, and national levels, and completing other related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in marine science, environmental science, education, museum studies, or a related subject, or have equivalent practical experience.

The role requires at least 3 to 4 years of interpretive experience and/or program development experience in an aquarium, zoo, museum, or similar institution, along with 2 to 3 years of supervisory, mentoring, or training experience, preferably in a comparable setting.

Experience managing projects across departments and keeping track of deadlines is preferred. The ability to lead groups or individuals and to step in for special events at short notice is required.

Skills and abilities

Successful candidates will bring strong interpretation skills for mixed audiences, along with the ability to teach topics tied to exhibits, research, and conservation. A collaborative approach is essential, as this role works closely with teams to create mission-driven programs with a conservation and research focus.

Helpful knowledge areas include exhibit interpretation, educational theory, child development, marine biology, and ecology. The role also requires strong written and verbal communication, mentoring and coaching ability, team leadership, adaptability, problem-solving, organization, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to stay effective under pressure with tact and diplomacy.

The successful candidate must also be willing to be trained in handling animals for education programs.

Additional information

The New England Aquarium is committed to an inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. The organization emphasizes respect, inclusion, and broad audience engagement in support of protecting the blue planet. It values a workforce with diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives that strengthen programs, problem-solving, creativity, and workplace culture.

An application link was provided in the source material, but it has been omitted here.