Job Posting Title:
Education Specialist
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Hiring Department:
Marine Science Institute
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
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Earliest Start Date:
Sep 30, 2025
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Sep 30, 2026
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Location:
PORT ARANSAS, TX
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Job Details:
General Notes
The Education Specialist supports the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Reserve) and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) by developing and delivering environmental education programs for K–12 students, college groups, the public, and community audiences. This position plays a key role in creating innovative, standards-aligned programming, and implementing high-quality, hands-on learning experiences both onsite and in the field.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and deliver engaging environmental education programs aligned with TEKS and Reserve goals for K–12 audiences, college students, public visitors, and community groups. These newly and previously developed programs will include classroom lessons, outdoor field investigations, vessel-based excursions, interpretive nature tours, and film discussions for various audiences.
- Maintain and update program materials, curriculum guides, and supporting resources to ensure accuracy and relevance.
- Greet visitors and provide engaging, accurate, and age-appropriate information about the exhibits, marine science research, and local coastal ecosystems.
- Create and develop engaging digital content for MAR’s website, social media and email channels, as well as monitor and respond to social media and email inquiries.
- Lead informal tours around Reserve/UTMSI trails (Wetlands Education Center), answer visitor questions, and share interesting facts about the Reserve and UTMSI’s work.
- Collect and manage data on education program attendance, participant demographics, and feedback for program evaluation and reporting.
- Assist with the development, maintenance, and oversight of educational exhibits, signage, and facilities at Reserve education sites.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
- Two years of recent experience presenting formal or informal education or interpretation programs.
- Familiarity with common Microsoft Windows software, such as Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Basic knowledge of environmental ecology.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Marine Science, Environmental Education/ Interpretation, or a closely related field.
- Three to five years of recent experience in development and implementation of formal or informal education or environmental interpretation programs.
- Experience developing and implementing environmental education programs.
- Knowledge of marine and estuarine ecology.
- Prior experience operating or crewing on small vessels and conducting water activities.
Salary Range
$40,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- Combination of office, classroom, laboratory, and outdoor field environments.
- Year-round exposure to variable weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, and occasional coastal storms.
- Fieldwork may involve boat-based operations, wading in shallow waters, and walking over uneven, sandy, or muddy terrain.
- Tuesday–Saturday schedule with occasional evenings, weekends, or overnight travel for programs, workshops, and outreach events.
- Lifting and carrying of educational materials and field equipment (up to ~40 lbs).
- Potential travel within the Reserve boundaries and to partner sites, as well as to attend trainings or education-focused conferences.
Work Shift
- Tuesday- Saturday 8am – 5pm
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Education