Education Director

Education Director - Year Round Salaried Position

The Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership (Hurricane Island) is a transformative learning community on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Our mission is to integrate scientific research and education on a Maine coastal island to develop leaders prepared to address environmental issues in a rapidly changing world. Through experiential education programs and research opportunities in STEM disciplines we strive to build a network of community leaders who are solving environmental problems creatively, scientifically, and collaboratively for the Gulf of Maine and beyond.

Job Responsibilities

The Education Director supervises a substantial team consisting of program managers and field based educators who work collaboratively to advance the mission of Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership while leading the effort to deliver an innovative place-based education curriculum that reaches students on the island and back in their communities. The Education Director will serve as a member of the senior leadership team who collaborate in our work to integrate science education and research. The position is based out of Hurricane Island’s Rockland office and there is an expectation to be on island working with educators during the island season.

• Student Program Development & Oversight Advance the quality and scope of education programming delivered to students. This includes curriculum development with an emphasis on the integration of science research into all aspects of Hurricane Island’s instructional work.
• Teacher Professional Development Work with our partner schools and teachers to carry the lessons of the Hurricane Island experience back to their schools to deliver expanded hands-on and place-based science instruction in the classroom.
• Development of Research Program Collaborate with the Science and Research Director to grow Hurricane Island’s outreach and programming for higher education students.
• Student Program Evaluation Lead the efforts to assess student outcomes including evaluation development and execution.

Revenue Generation

• New Program Recruitment & Growth Lead efforts to strategically grow existing and new revenue-generating programs for grades 5-12 schools, higher education, non-profits and business partners in a way that is mission aligned.
• Open Enrollment Recruit individual students to enroll in existing programs and grow open enrollment programs offerings.
• Programmatic Use of Island Facilities Work in collaboration with the Island Operations Director and the island facilities team to oversee the on-island buildings, lands, and gardens to maximize full programmatic and education potential.
• Scholarships & Financial Aid Oversight of scholarship and school-based program support including evaluation of candidates and disbursement of funds.
• Administration & Management Drive the education program budget development and management. Work with Hurricane Island’s bookkeeper to address monthly reconciliation and reporting of program revenue financials. Lead the recruitment, hiring, training and management of all education staff. Participate on the Board-level Program Committee and support its work in coordination with the co-chairs.
• Development, Marketing and Outreach Work with the Advancement team to organize outreach and marketing efforts. Support the Advancement team to identify, write and submit grants. Participate in Development events through sharing the education program’s work. Build strategic partnerships that expand Hurricane Island’s visibility and notoriety.
• Safety Work in coordination with the Island Operations Director to ensure all education staff reporting to the Director of Education are adequately trained and supervised to deliver safe programming. 
• Island Leadership Work in coordination with the Island Operations Director to effectively lead a team of island based educators prepared to deliver exciting, invigorating and innovative hands on science programming to all students. Serve as the “Island Director” at certain points during the island season.

Essential Qualifications

• Experience working with traditional schools or experience in a school based setting.
• Advanced degree in education, the sciences or related field. Professional experience in education, instruction, field research, marine biology, fishing or aquaculture.
• Demonstrated experience delivering hands-on, place based innovative science instruction to a range of students. Education experience in an outdoor setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse staff and leadership structure to inspire a motivation for achieving Hurricane’s mission, vision and strategic plan.
• Strong logistical organizational skills.
• Knowledge of and experience working in a camp or island based setting serving a broad range of customers and students.
• Functional understanding for computer data systems and ability to quickly access, interpret and enter all necessary information for daily planning.
• Flexibility along with a strong capacity for thinking creatively to solve problems.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Experience working with database systems or student enrollment.
• A background or expanded training in first aid, wilderness first responder, wilderness emergency medical training.
• Wilderness adventure experience including as a guide, trip leader or personal adventure.
• Knowledge of boats and navigation. Experience operating boats in Penobscot Bay, Gulf of Maine or in an offshore setting.
• Familiarity with island culture and sensitivity to needs.

Compensation

This is a full time salaried exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience. Hurricane Island covers 100% of the costs for full time employees enrolled in our health, dental, and life/ADD/STD insurance plus. We also offer a SIMPLE IRA retirement benefit with a match of up to 3% annual salary for participating employees.

Required Application Materials Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled. 

• Cover letter explaining your interest in this position and your relevant experience.
• Resumé or CV and please include details that may not pertain directly to this job.
• Contact information for three references.

Application Submissions Applications should be submitted electronically through the employment page of our website https://www.hurricaneisland.net/employment

Hurricane Island Foundation is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, age, sex, religion, or national origin. Because we work with middle and high school students, we are required to do background checks on all staff.