Job details

Description

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. 

Priority deadline for applications is November 13, 2025. Due to the volume of incoming applications, the role may be closed earlier than November 13, 2025.

Job Summary:

Manage all aspects of curriculum development, testing, refinement, evaluation, and implementation, with the goal of elevating and equipping young changemakers to innovate solutions for a thriving ocean. Create a work culture of equity and accountability, which is demonstrated by how they lead staff who oversee and deliver programs; coach staff in their professional development goals; recruit new staff members; and effectively communicate the long-term vision, strategic plan, and annual work plan. Lead Education publishing projects and curriculum evaluation. Embody the desire to continually grow by engaging in professional learning to ensure the Education Division is informed of current trends, methods, and research about formal and informal STEAM and conservation education. Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Activities:

• Manage all aspects of Education division curriculum development, including:
  • Facilitate curriculum development with clearly defined processes such as Agile.
  • Design, implement, iterate, and maintain a process for editing and publishing curriculum, including online courses.
  • Collaborate and communicate with Instructional Coaches, program leads, and managers to support curriculum implementation, ensuring staff educators have the necessary tools and understanding to deliver high-quality curriculum.
• Manage all aspects of curriculum evaluation, including conducting needs assessments, directing usability tests, collaborating with outside consultants to design and revise evaluation tools and methods, and facilitating retrospectives.
• Recommend long-term plan for curriculum development, in collaboration with Education leadership and staff, that serves the larger Education mission and the Aquarium’s mission. Clearly communicate this plan to staff, other Aquarium divisions, other institutions, and external stakeholders. Reflect on, revisit, and iterate this plan regularly, based on new learning and staff input.
• Stay informed and practiced in the latest trends and research in management skills that cultivate a culture of equity and improve non-profit business processes.
• Design and lead trainings to keep the Education Division informed of the latest science, research, opinions, strategies, trends, and academic standards with respect to formal and informal STEAM education, pedagogy, and curriculum development.
• Set department goals and develop annual workplans; oversee the staff and execution of defined work.
• Assess staff performance; provide development opportunities they need or desire that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential, both through direct mentorship and by connecting staff with external trainings and experts.
• Develop, prioritize, track, and review annual department budgets, capital projects, and resources, coordinating with staff and other program areas as needed.
• As needed, lead equitable processes to recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff and volunteers.
• Design, implement, iterate, and maintain a process to guide staff in the peer-reviewed publication of educational research findings through academic writing and editing; and directly contribute to these peer-reviewed publications.
• Represent the department, division, and the Aquarium to the public, visiting dignitaries, and the professional education community, at various meetings, events, and professional conferences.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Master’s degree with an emphasis in natural science, formal or informal education, curriculum, youth or staff development; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Extensive and diverse experience in conservation or science education
• Proven success in creating and contributing to a work culture rooted in equity
• Broad, deep understanding of marine science content, integrated STEAM educational practices, and culturally responsive education
• Broad, deep knowledge of national and state standards, teaching methods, and professional and/or youth development strategies
• Advanced education combined with 5-10 years formal and/or informal teaching experience
• Five years supervisory experience including staff management, recruitment, interviewing, training, feedback, and evaluation
• Five years experience developing, supervising, teaching and evaluating education programs
• Proficient in the Aquarium’s core leadership competencies
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English
• Excellent writing and editing skills in Spanish preferred
• Strong leadership, management and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with excellent verbal communication with individuals and groups
• A high degree of versatility and ability to prioritize and coordinate a variety of projects and programs and interact with diverse interest groups and support personnel
• Excellent classroom and public presentation skills and ability to represent institutional image to a variety of audiences
• Ability to create a positive culture of accountability
• Natural history interpretation skills in exhibit and field settings
• Familiarity with Monterey Bay-specific natural history, marine science, and STEAM
• Experience in the use of technology as an educational tool with students and/or adults, including but not limited to iPad apps, Google Suite, and web-based educational tools
• Experience modeling transparent communication, working collaboratively, listening with curiosity, and working iteratively.
• Knowledge of valuing diverse opinions, and valuing staff that bring learning from their unique prior experiences and backgrounds.
• Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values
• Must possess, or be able to obtain within the first 3 months of employment, a valid California driver’s license in order to operate Monterey Bay Aquarium vehicles

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Typical office equipment; Drive a standard vehicle, including large vans and pick-up trucks; utilize a laptop computer, tablet, cell phone, VR headset, and other hand-held technologies; present in classrooms (Bechtel Center for Ocean Education and Leadership, Aquarium labs, etc.) and in the field (on beaches, wetlands, forests, parks, etc.); comfort in the water to be able to accompany participants on water events, such as tide pooling, snorkeling, and boogie boarding
• Constant sitting, standing, walking, bending; Standing to present occasionally; regularly walking and hiking indoors and outdoors; some pushing carts of materials
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs
• Typical office environment, main aquarium and exhibits, occasional offsite events; field work (beach and coastal shoreline), ocean

Annual Compensation Range: 

$84,600-$104,000 USD annually. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.

Qualifications

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better.

Masters or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.