Position Title: Outreach Coordinator

Classification: Manager, Research Programs and Services

Salary: $50,000-$55,000

Work hours: 9:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday-Saturday, plus evening and weekend event availability

FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has been a leader in marine science and education for more than 50 years. The Education and Outreach team manages a diverse portfolio of programs and experiences including public facilities and exhibitions, lecture series, guided tours, special events, citizen science initiatives, high school partnerships and research experiences, teacher training and resources, field trips, and afterschool and summer programs, reaching thousands of learners and community members each year. The Outreach Coordinator is responsible for organizing and successfully implementing public outreach programs, providing exceptional customer service, serving as an ambassador for the Institute, and expanding community engagement. Join us in advancing our mission of Ocean Science for a Better World.

Key Duties:

• Responsible for all “on-floor” activities at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, including welcome, visitor interaction, gift shop, answering phone inquiries, and general guest services.
• Provides expert guidance on marine science topics and FAU Harbor Branch programs to increase visibility of the Institute. Serves as the primary person receiving public inquiries, working in close coordination with other public-facing staff, and ensures that all inquiries receive prompt, professional, positive, and accurate responses.
• Responsible for day-to-day upkeep of aquaria and exhibitions both within and outside the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, to ensure a show ready and safe environment at all times. Works with other departments such as Physical Plant, Security, IACUC, and Office Information Technology as necessary.
• Maintains an inventory of relevant marketing and educational materials ensuring they are up to date and available to the public at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center and Marine Education Center, as well as at off-site locations (either on display or with representatives that speak or exhibit there).
• Responsible for daily operations of the FAU Harbor Branch Gift Shop (in-store and online) including guest services, sales/order fulfilment, stocking merchandise, and bringing in new items. Handles cash and credit cards while maintaining confidentiality of information. Identifies opportunities to sell merchandise during special events, tours, lectures, etc, to increase sales.
• Responsible for leading and growing revenue-generating public programs which are currently comprised of tram and boat tours, specialty experiences, and group visit options. Facilitates online reservations, provides guest services, schedules/gives the tours, and trains new guides/assistants.
• Works with Communications and Advancement to market public programs through established channels, and assists with flyer drops, community calendar postings, content generation, etc. to support these efforts.
• Serves as primary contact for volunteers working with outreach and education programs. Responsible for recruiting, training, scheduling, and management. Grows opportunities for volunteers to get involved with public programs, finds new ways to attract volunteers as well as opportunities to acknowledge their effort both internally and externally.
• Pursues increased public visitation to FAU Harbor Branch and works to grow opportunities for both individuals and groups to engage with activities at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center and other venues on campus. Assists with group visit coordination and accommodation.
• Coordinates lecture series both on- and off-site to provide faculty, staff, and students with opportunities to share their work with public audiences. Takes the lead on guest/public relations for the Ocean Science Lecture Series and Speakers Bureau programs.
• Oversees a calendar of community events such as science and nature themed festivals or high-impact opportunities for FAU Harbor Branch representatives to exhibit at. Serves as the liaison with requestors on behalf of the Institute, completes registration, schedules personnel to attend, and prepares materials.
• Documents all community engagement including the number of people reached as well as additional demographic information and statistics from outreach efforts to be used for overall program evaluation and reporting. Shares program successes both internally and externally.
• Coordinates additional public programs which may include but are not limited to community outreach efforts, special events, citizen science projects, and virtual offerings.
• Responsible for completing assigned outreach components of grant funded projects by working collaboratively with research personnel to ensure successful outcomes.
• Other duties as required.

Requirements:

• A master’s degree in marine science, science communication, environmental education or a related field and two years of relevant experience is preferred, or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and four years of relevant experience.
• Experience coordinating public outreach programs, working with and educating diverse public audiences, and developing interpretive content/messaging related science and ocean topics is required.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills, problem-solving skills, and working as part of a team required.
• Exceptional people skills, willingness and proven ability to interact with public and staff in a positive manner required.
• Experience with saltwater aquarium maintenance and animal husbandry preferred.
• Ability to adhere to the scheduled operation times for the visitors center and public programs required.
• Experience with the operations of a public facility (such as an aquarium, science center, museum, nature center) preferred.
• Experience managing staff including volunteers, employees, students and interns preferred.
• Comfortable executing public education programs outdoors and on a boat required; First aid certification preferred.
• Familiarity with fundamentals of Florida coastal habitats, wildlife and ecology preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to maintain confidential, financial information such as credit card details required.
• Skill in using Microsoft office software, data management and analysis required.