"Marine Educator and Community Science Coordinator"

Job Details

Position Summary

This is a full time, non-tenured, benefits eligible Public Service Faculty position to be assigned to the Marine Education Center and Aquarium near Savannah, GA. This position is based on Skidaway Island at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium. It requires some state, regional, national and potentially international travel. The Center operates year-round as a hub for hands-on, feet-in coastal education opportunities that engage a range of audiences.

Primary responsibility of this position is to lead, instruct, and ensure the safety of student and public participants in marine science and coastal ecology educational programs. Education programs for visiting PK-12 groups include over thirty (30) field explorations, laboratory studies, discussion sessions and boat-based classes. The latter are conducted aboard 24-foot open boats (Carolina Skiffs) and the 43-foot trawler R/V Sea Dawg. School programs are offered September – May. Summer camps are offered June-July. Public programs are offered throughout the calendar year. Educator workshops are often collaborative and grant funded.

Secondary responsibility of this position is the coordination and development of community science projects and opportunities. This includes maintaining community involvement and research databases for existing coastal monitoring efforts (e.g. onsite phytoplankton monitoring in partnership with NOAA’s SE Phytoplankton Monitoring Network and Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Nest Watch, eBird, Audubon Christmas Bird Count) and coastal cleanups / marine debris surveys. It also includes expanding efforts to engage broad audiences in the hands-on science and the research process and to partner with other Sea Grant programs and coastal groups who have similar community science programs that could be replicated on the Georgia coast.

Additional responsibilities of this position include coordinating the Center’s summer marine science camp program, grant writing to secure external funding for the center’s activities and development of new education programs related to current coastal research topics. This position will work regularly with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s volunteer coordinator and communication team to expand the network of individuals who participate in community science efforts, particularly to new groups and audiences. Finally, this position will take a leadership role in connecting with SG funded researchers, extension professionals, and educators to develop new community science programs

Special Instructions to Applicants

All applications received by January 4, 2026 are assured full consideration

Posting Details

Posting Number: F2549P

Working Title: Marine Educator and Community Science Coordinator

Department: PSO-Marine Extension Service

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provides integrated research, education and extension programs that foster the responsible use of Georgia’s coastal resources by individuals, decision-makers and management agencies.

Our program is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia ( UGA ) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s ( NOAA ) National Sea Grant College Program, a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.

Mission and Focus Areas: Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s mission is to improve the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education, training and outreach.

Every four years, our program develops a long-range strategic plan that describes our goals and priorities for the coming years. To create this plan, we utilize a broad, multi-step process that incorporates fresh input from a broad constituency.

Read Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan here.

The strategic plan outlines goals, strategies, outcomes and corresponding performance measures organized under the program’s four focus areas:

1. Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development
2. Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
3. Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
4. Resilient Communities and Economies

College/Unit/Department website: https://gacoast.uga.edu/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Advertised Salary: Compensation will be determined by the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant

Anticipated Start Date: 03/02/2026

Job Posting Date: 11/14/2025

Job Closing Date: Open until filled

Location of Vacancy: Savannah Area

EEO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ).

Position Details

Classification Title: Public Service Professional AC

Faculty Rank: Open Rank

Contract Type: Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status: Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

MS required in marine science, biology/ecology, environmental science, oceanography/climate science, science education / environmental education or related field.

Experience

• 3-5 years minimum teaching experience required
• 3-5 years community / citizen science program experience. Coordination, development and management of these programs preferred

Preferred Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in a discipline related to marine science, biology/ecology, environmental science, oceanography/climate science, science/environmental education or related field
• At least 5 years of experience teaching student groups aboard boats and in the field preferred. Preference given to experience with community outreach and education.
• Record of grant writing in application for support of education and/or community outreach.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Considerable content knowledge in marine science, biology, coastal ecology and natural history; considerable content knowledge in oceanography and climate science encouraged
• Knowledge of strategies for developing engaging and impactful community science opportunities and programs
• Record of grant writing in application for support of education and/or community outreach.
• Effective verbal/ written and interpersonal communication skills related to public outreach and extension work with non-scientists
• Proven leadership and teamwork skills
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate and work effectively with a small internal team of educators, extension professionals, researchers, volunteers, and other stakeholders
• Excellent networking skills and demonstrated success in developing relationships with researchers, extension professionals, and science educators related to community / citizen science
• Confidence in preparing and making presentations to academic, community, and professional groups
• Trustworthiness with confidential and sensitive information, communications, and materials
• Attention to detail, quality, and clarity
• Strong ability to multitask and work under pressure
• Success in collaborating and coordinating with multiple offices and teams
• Dependability as a colleague
• Professional etiquette with all internal and external constituencies
• Knowledge of and proficiency with Microsoft Office environment
• Boat handling skills and /or the willingness to pursue such training and / or captain’s license.

Physical Demands

• The ability to teach outdoors in a variety of coastal weather conditions, including rain, wind, salt spray and coastal habitats, including salt marsh, sandy beach, maritime forest and on boats and barrier island
• The ability to sit or stand for an extended time period
• The ability to drive
• The ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Instruct marine science classes for PK-12 school and other visiting groups
• Translate and disseminate science-based research related to coastal ecology, and coastal issues.
• Coordinate summer marine science camps for ages 6-14
• Collaborate with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant education and communication teams, extension professionals and Georgia Sea Grant funded researchers to develop public outreach and community programs
• Develop new educational materials that support programming efforts or stand alone as resources; publish education based articles in professional journals
• Serve as USCG boat captain or crew aboard University passenger vessels
• Ensure the safety of student / participant groups while on University led programs and boat trips

Percentage Of Time: 40

• Develop, manage, and coordinate community science projects to include: participant recruitment (in collaboration with volunteer coordinator), training, and general oversight
• Coordinate data management, evaluation and reporting related to community science projects and impacts,
• Secure external funding through grants to support the effort to maintain and expand community science opportunities for diverse audiences
• Serving as the point of contact for community science programs for Marine extension and Georgia Sea Grant

Percentage Of Time: 30

• Developing collaborative funding proposals to secure external funding in support of education programs and events, particularly those involving community/citizen/participatory science
• Representing Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant at community events, public festivals, school outreach events, professional meetings, collaborative working groups and partnerships with other organizations in the field of marine science/environmental education

Percentage Of Time: 30

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information