Marine Programs Outreach Coordinator

~ The University of New England is an independent non-profit institution. ~

The University of New England is Maine’s largest private university, an innovative educational community with two distinctive coastal Maine campuses, a vibrant new campus in Tangier, Morocco and a robust offering of degree and certificate programs online. UNE attracts internationally recognized scholars in the health sciences, life sciences, business, education, the social sciences and the humanities, allowing both our graduate and undergraduate students to engage in research and scholarship alongside dedicated faculty.

We are home to Maine's only medical and dental schools — part of our comprehensive health education mission built on a pioneering interprofessional approach that also includes pharmacy, nursing and an array of allied health professions. UNE offers a uniquely cosmopolitan, interdisciplinary academic environment with an emphasis on global engagement and hands-on learning experiences. As a community, we are committed to creating the future by nurturing well-rounded scholars and professionals who can adapt, prosper and lead in a rapidly evolving world.

UNE. Innovation for a healthier planet.

Position Overview

The Marine Programs Outreach Coordinator will work with Marine Science and affiliated faculty and staff to develop a formal outreach program that serves UNEstudents and the community. The Coordinator will mentor UNE marine science, marine affairs, marine entrepreneurship, and aquaculture & aquarium science students in all informal community science education and other experiential education activities. The Coordinator and his/her undergraduate mentees will develop and deliver marine themed lessons to audiences of all ages, give research tours, develop long-term monitoring projects involving the community, and raise UNE’s profile in the region by communicating the exciting and ongoing projects happening at the Marine Science Center. Through these experiences, UNE students will gain real and marketable science communication skills and community connections while earning their formal degree.

The Marine Programs Outreach Coordinator will develop new collaborative proposals to federal, state and philanthropic organizations that would help fund UNE’S marine science center outreach and experiential education activities. The Coordinator will also work with other entities on campus, including the Offices of Admissions and Communications to increase awareness of our programs to prospective and accepted students, the local community and to gain more national recognition.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a dynamic outreach program that includes interactions with K-12 schools, community groups, science education institutions (Science Centers, Institutes, Aquariums, etc.), community colleges, etc. 
• Recruit, supervise, and mentor undergraduate students in the area of informal education/experiential education/outreach/communication of scientific information to the community.
• Teach existing summer Early College marine course(s).
• Develop (and teach if appropriate) new summer and other short courses.
• Serve as a point person to organize, develop a database for, and assess all UNE marine science outreach activities.
• Assist in student recruitment and retention by working with UNE Admissions and Office of Student Affairs to offer hands-on experiences at the Marine Science Center.
• Initiate a long term ecological monitoring project using “citizen scientists” from the community.
• Lead all activities for the National Ocean Science Bowl when it is at UNE and assist in planning and implementation of the Northeast Undergraduate Research Symposium (NURDS).
• Develop effective methods of communicating the diverse array of marine research conducted at UNE to prospective students and the local, regional, and national community at large.
• Raise awareness of UNE Marine Programs regionally and nationally
• Serve as a Liaison between Marine faculty/staff and the Office of Communications 
• Lead the development of new collaborative proposals to fund UNE marine outreach (education and research) activities. Potential funding sources include federal agencies (NSF, NOAA, NIH, USDA, etc.), state agencies and philanthropic organizations.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of the UNE Marine Science Center.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Science, Science Education, Environmental Education, or a related field with 3 - 4 years’ experience or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
• Bachelor’s degree acceptable provided sufficient experience has been acquired.
• Knowledge of marine organisms, ecosystems, and marine research.
• Demonstrated experience in K-12 education or informal education setting.
• Demonstrated educational leadership and organizational skills. 
• Outstanding verbal, written, and communication skills.
• Prior experiences in grant writing and management from external funding sources a plus.
• Prior experiences in budget management preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate and interact effectively with a wide range of administrators, faculty, staff, and students as well as the local community in carrying out the varied responsibilities of the position.
• Previous experience with UNE as an employee or student preferred.

~ Consistent with federal and state law and University policy, the University of New England is committed to the fundamental concept of equal opportunity for all of the members of the University community. The University prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination in employment, the provision of academic services or in any other area of University life based on race, color, sex, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, ethnicity, genetic information, HIV status, or status as a veteran. Prohibited bias factors will not be permitted to have an adverse influence upon decisions regarding students, employees, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, contractors, volunteers or participants in and/or users of institutional programs, services, and activities. ~