Job Title and Description: EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SPECIALIST for the Dragonfly Mercury Project

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Benefits Eligible)

Supervision: Primary administrative reporting to Schoodic Institute staff; operational direction provided in close collaboration with the (DMP) Program Manager

Primary Work Location: Denver, Colorado - while on-site presence preferred; hybrid schedule may be considered. This position is not eligible for relocation reimbursement.

Vacancies: 1 position

Duration: 1-year position starting in June 2026

Job Announcement Opening Dates:  March 15, 2026-April 15, 2026

Position Overview:

Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park seeks a temporary Educational Outreach Specialist to support the Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP)—a national citizen science initiative assessing mercury pollution risks. Working in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), this role serves as a vital bridge between scientists and the public, translating complex research into accessible, engaging, and standards-aligned learning experiences.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Curriculum Development: Design and develop K-12 instructional resources and standards-aligned curricula (with an emphasis on middle and high school) for both formal and informal education settings.
• Science Communication: Translate DMP data into meaningful tools for diverse audiences, including students, educators, fish consumers, Tribal communities, and resource managers.
• Public Engagement: Support interpretive programming and place-based visitor education to foster environmental stewardship and public participation in scientific research.
• Outreach Strategy: Develop and refine interpretive tools and communication frameworks to strengthen the DMP’s national outreach and promote STEM workforce development.

Time Allocation: 40% – Curriculum Development & Education Coordination

• Resource Design: Lead the creation of standards-aligned (NGSS) K-12 curricula, including lesson plans, field-based learning modules, and educator toolkits that integrate authentic DMP data.
• Target Audience: Focus primarily on middle and high school learners while ensuring materials are adaptable across all grade levels.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain partnerships with educators and school districts; incorporate feedback and apply current best practices in STEM education.

25% – Interpretive Media & Science Communication

• Content Creation: Produce accessible articles, case studies, and narrative reports demonstrating how DMP research informs park management and public understanding of mercury risks.
• Media Production: Coordinate the development and evaluation of interpretive and audiovisual media in compliance with NPS standards.

15% – Outreach & Digital Strategy

• Digital Support: Implement media strategies and coordinate digital content/web updates to support national outreach goals.
• Inclusive Engagement: Identify and recruit new audiences, specifically focusing on underrepresented communities in STEM and Tribal partnerships.
• Compliance: Ensure all communication products meet NPS standards for accuracy and accessibility.

15% – Field Support & Travel

• Field Ambassadorship: Provide on-site educational programming and serve as a DMP representative during sampling events.
• Field Coordination: Travel to dragonfly sampling sites to support park staff with curriculum integration and field-based engagement activities.

5% – Administrative Coordination

• Program Tracking: Maintain records of park participation and citizen science involvement.
• Support: Assist with budget tracking, accounting, and the facilitation of intradepartmental agreements.

Qualifications: 

• Curriculum Expertise: Proven experience developing interactive, standards-aligned science curricula (e.g., NGSS) for K-12 audiences, with a preferred focus on middle and high school levels.
• Professional Background: Strong foundational experience in environmental education, interpretation, public outreach, or science communication.
• Science Translation: Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex research data into accessible, engaging learning materials for non-scientific audiences.
• Engaging Audiences: Experience building relationships and working effectively with diverse groups, including youth, educators, and Tribal communities.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional written and interpersonal skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports, articles, and narrative content.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with digital platforms, web content management, and social media strategy for educational outreach.
• Mission Alignment: A passionate interest in environmental science, public health, citizen science, and the mission of the National Park Service.