Title: Assistant Director for Education and Operations, Northern Virginia Science Center

State Role Title: Education Administrator II

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 5

Agency: The Science Museum of Virginia

Location: NOVA Science Center

Agency Website: https://smv.org/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Agency Overview:

The Science Museum works to inspire Virginians to enrich their lives through science. We create compelling and thought-provoking experiences that connect our community with the science all around them.

For almost 50 years, the Science Museum has been curating relevant science stories that are delivered through engaging exhibits, programming, demos, workshops, films, content and more. As we look toward our 50th anniversary as an institution, we’re pushing ourselves to be even more important in our community’s life to elevate science as the answer to our complicated world.

The Science Museum is unlike others in our field. We are state agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia that benefits from state operating support as well as private funds raised through our Foundations to help support the mission. This support provides operational stability and growth opportunities as we evolve to not only meet the needs of our community, but also increase our impact. Our flagship location in Richmond and our satellite in Danville have reached two straight years of record attendance. The opening of our Northern Virginia campus in 2027 is poised to push annual visitation over 800,000, extending our reach and impact across the Commonwealth as we empower Virginians to see science not just as knowledge, but as a vital tool for shaping a better future.

Job Description:

The opening of the Northern Virginia Science Center is the largest project in the Science Museum’s history. We are seeking an innovative and strategic Assistant Director for Education and Operations with proven informal science learning leadership who will contribute to the success of the Science Center. This role will be central to delivering compelling, inclusive experiences that connect guests with the science shaping their everyday lives.

Working in close collaboration with the Deputy Director for Education, cross-functional colleagues, community partners and volunteers, the Assistant Director will manage the development and delivery of dynamic exhibitions and educational programs. This role will drive instructional strategies, outreach opportunities and research approaches to ensure experiences are engaging, relevant and grounded in best practices for informal science learning.

In addition to delivering on the agency’s programmatic vision, the Assistant Director will oversee key operational functions, including staff leadership, budgeting, scheduling and resource management. The role ensures that programs and experiences are executed in alignment with the Science Museum’s mission, annual work plans and strategic priorities—contributing to both immediate goals and long-term impact.

This position will also play a critical role in day-to-day operations, serving as acting lead in the absence of the Operations Director and ensuring seamless coordination across all Science Center teams to support a meaningful guest experience.

While the position is primarily weekday-based, flexibility is essential. As part of a vibrant, guest-centered institution, this role requires regular availability on evenings, weekends and holidays to support operations and ensure a consistently exceptional experience.

The Science Center is slated for a spring/summer 2027 opening. The position will be based in Northern Virginia, but will participate in robust training in Richmond throughout the summer/fall 2026 until the Science Center is fully constructed. To learn more about the Science Center, please visit https://www.novasci.org/about-novasci. 

Interested candidates must apply at https://jobs.virginia.gov/. All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning May 11, 2026. The selected candidate will begin on or after July 10, 2026.

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 demonstrate strong knowledge of science content areas and educational methodologies, with experience delivering educational programs in both formal and informal science settings, including planning, developing, and implementing hands-on activities. They will possess excellent organizational, leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with supervisory and project management experience, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, motivate teams, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation, including budget and personnel management, as well as coordinating and supervising diverse administrative functions, is essential.

The candidate should also be proficient with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software, including distance learning platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet, and programs such as Google Docs and Excel. They must be flexible, patient, resourceful, able to work independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, and a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver’s License is a plus. A commitment to engaging children, families, and adults in a positive, friendly, and accessible manner is essential, along with the ability to present to large groups and interact one-on-one with visitors of all ages.

Additional Considerations

Experience in a science center or similar environment showing progressive responsibility is a plus.

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.

he 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.