Live and work in coastal Georgia! UGA Marine Extension and GA Sea Grant seeks marine education fellows to work at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium on UGA’s Marine Science Campus on Skidaway Island near Savannah GA. The temporary position is offered to recent college graduates. This position serves as a bridge experience between college and a professional career and is designed for individuals who would like to gain teaching experience in marine and environmental education.

Summary

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provides integrated research, education and extension programs that foster the responsible use of Georgia’s coastal resources by individuals, decision-makers and management agencies. Our program is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia (UGA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories. UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s mission is to improve the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education and extension.

Marine education fellows teach a wide variety of marine-related topics to grade PK-12 students in field, lab and discussion formats, public programs, summer marine science camps, school outreach, and community events. Although instruction is the primary responsibility, additional assigned duties include aquarium/touch tank husbandry and maintenance, phytoplankton monitoring, clerical tasks, visitor services, Saturday Aquarium admission duty, and miscellaneous tasks related to the Center’s operation. Some Saturday and evening work is needed. Dates of employment are from September to August. Pay is administered on an hourly basis, 30-40 hours per week depending on scheduled programming. Unpaid holidays coincide with university, state, federal and other pre-determined dates. Onsite housing is necessary. Applicants with graduate degrees or previous multiple internship experience are not eligible for this program.

Fellows gain hands-on experience in a variety of fields, including marine education and outreach, aquarium education and husbandry, and coastal extension. Each fellow is expected to teach pre-k-12 school groups and summer camps, participate in program development and delivery, accomplish basic aquarium husbandry duties, organize and lead the annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, and additional but varying responsibilities. Fellows work Monday-Friday with at least one required Saturday per month. The UGA Aquarium does not house marine mammals or conduct marine mammal research. SCUBA, snorkeling, or kayak classes are not offered.

Relevant/Preferred Experience, Education, Knowledge, Skills:

B.S. or B.A degree in a coastal related discipline (education, environmental science, marine science, or other natural, physical, or social sciences), from an accredited college or university, awarded within the last two years. Degree should be awarded before fellowship begins.
Preferred completion of marine science courses (i.e., biology, marine biology, marine science, ecology, invertebrate zoology and ichthyology).
Previous experience teaching or working with children or students.
U.S. citizenship or U.S. work visa. If selected, UGA will provide intent to employ documents for visa application. Background checks are required for UGA employment.
Fluency in English – bilingual applicants (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply
Ability to work independently and to communicate well with others (verbally and in writing). Proficiency with MS Office, email and social media.

Learn more and apply Marine Education Fellowship - UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

Compensation Information

$15 per Hour