Title: Animal Care Education Programs Specialist
State Role Title: Education Support Spec II
Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience
Pay Band: 3
Agency: The Science Museum of Virginia
Location: Broad Street Station
Agency Website: https://smv.org/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Science Museum is seeking an Animal Care Education Programs Specialist to join our Education department and help bring science to life through unforgettable hands-on experiences. This exciting role combines dynamic science education with live animal care, engaging audiences through school programs, public science demonstrations, digital demonstrations, family-friendly public events and adult after-hours programming.
As part educator and part animal care specialist, you’ll care for and showcase a fascinating live animal collection that includes snakes, turtles, lizards, invertebrates, and the Science Museum’s famous basketball-playing Norway rats. If you are passionate about science communication, love working with people of all ages, and thrive in an energetic, collaborative environment, this is an opportunity to inspire curiosity every day.
Interested candidates must apply at https://jobs.virginia.gov/.
Benefits
The position offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HRA, HSA, life insurance, 457 and pension plan, short and long-term disability and employee assistance program. The Science Museum has a generous paid time off policy, including vacation leave, four days family & personal leave, eight sick days per year and 13 paid holidays.
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be energetic, outgoing, and enthusiastic, with experience in a science center or similar environment demonstrating progressive responsibility. Candidate should have experience caring for live animal collections, including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish, as well as planning, developing, and delivering engaging science-based educational programs, workshops, demonstrations, and informal learning activities. Strong organizational, communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with proficiency in distance learning platforms (e.g., Zoom and Google Meet, Word Processing and Spreadsheet programs, such as Google Docs and Excel). Candidate must be comfortable presenting to large groups, interacting with diverse audiences of all ages, coordinating volunteers and staff, managing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced collaborative environment and serving as a weekend Education Manager on Duty. A valid driver’s license is required.
Additional Considerations
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
The Science Museum of Virginia will accept ONLY online applications for all Science Museum employment opportunities. To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. If the position is an open until filled recruitment; the position will remain open for a minimum of 5 workdays or until the position is filled. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application; therefore, it is essential to provide detailed information. Submitting an application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. The RMS website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date. Computers are available for applying for jobs in public libraries and the Virginia Employment Commission offices.
The Science Museum seeks motivated people of all backgrounds. We value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer the Science Museum Welcomes Veterans to apply! We provide hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume.
Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.
The Science Museum will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: 804.372.3766
Email: hr@smv.org
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.