Senior Educator

Role overview

The Senior Educator is a senior-level member of the Interpretation and Engagement team, responsible for designing and delivering interpretive experiences that motivate audiences to take part in ocean conservation. This role builds programs from the initial idea stage through launch, with a strong focus on the organization’s exhibits, scientific work, research, and conservation mission.

The position also plays a leadership role by training, mentoring, and coaching staff members, interns, and volunteers in interpretive practice, conservation messaging, and effective program delivery. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership and help support supervisory responsibilities.

This is a full-time regular position with a comprehensive benefits package. The work schedule runs Tuesday through Saturday, with hybrid flexibility that includes both on-site and remote days. Available shift options are 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, or 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Remote work is available only for residents of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and Vermont.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute interpretive programs and conservation learning messages that directly support the organization’s conservation mission, keeping both in-person and virtual programming aligned with strategic goals.
• Apply current interpretation and guest-engagement methods to create experiences that communicate the organization’s exhibits, research, advocacy, and broader expertise.
• Act as a go-to specialist in interpretation and program development, while training other departments and cross-functional teams on how to explain complex conservation topics in a lively and accessible way for visitors, members, donors, trustees, and media audiences.
• Participate in and lead cross-functional groups, task forces, and organizational initiatives, partnering with teams such as Learning and Engagement, Animal Care, Marketing and Communications, and Visitor Experience.
• Coach, mentor, and train multiple educator groups, including paid staff, volunteers, adult interns, and teen interns, to maintain a consistently high standard of mission-based interpretation.
• Provide feedback and guidance on communication approach, conservation interpretation, and continued professional growth opportunities.
• Deliver public-facing mission-based programs and work with internal teams to share the full scope of the organization’s work.
• Help expand public understanding of conservation topics and connect audiences with action tools, advocacy opportunities, and community participation.
• Represent the organization in a leadership capacity with external groups and institutions at local, state, and national levels.
• Complete additional duties related to the role as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marine science, environmental science, education, museum studies, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 3 to 4 years of interpretive work and/or program development experience in an aquarium, zoo, museum, or similar environment.
• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in supervision, mentoring, and/or training, ideally in an aquarium, zoo, museum, or similar setting.
• Experience managing projects across multiple departments and monitoring deadlines is preferred.
• Ability to guide groups or individuals and lead special events on short notice is required.
• Strong interpretation skills with diverse audiences and the ability to teach topics connected to exhibits, research, and conservation in a zoo, aquarium, museum, or similar venue.
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for helping develop mission-driven programs with a conservation and research emphasis.
• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: exhibit interpretation, educational theory, child development, marine biology, or ecology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging members, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues of varied ages, interests, and backgrounds.
• Proven mentoring and coaching ability, including the capacity to motivate interns, volunteers, colleagues, and project teams.
• Comfort working in a changing environment, adapting to new ideas, solving problems quickly, and balancing independent and team-based work.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, professional judgment, tact, and diplomacy under pressure.
• Willingness to receive training to handle animals for education programming.

Additional information

This is a regular full-time position with benefits. The role is based in Boston, MA, with hybrid scheduling available. Remote work days are limited to residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY, and VT. The organization is committed to an inclusive workplace and equal employment opportunity, with a culture centered on respect, inclusion, and broad public engagement with ocean protection efforts.

Equal opportunity

The employer maintains an inclusive culture and follows equal employment opportunity principles. A diverse workforce is valued for the wider range of experience, skills, and perspectives it brings to programs, problem-solving, creativity, and workplace culture.