Title: Senior Animal Care Education Programs Specialist

State Role Title: Education Support Spec III

Hiring Range: $60,000-$73,000

Pay Band: 4

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 a 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. As we prepare to open our doors in spring/summer 2027, we’re seeking a Senior Animal Care Education Program Specialist to be our subject matter expert in animal care and help ensure the health, welfare, and success of our remarkable live animal collections across three Science Museum locations (Richmond, Danville and Loudoun).

This is no ordinary animal care role. You will work with an extraordinary variety of animals from a leafcutter ant colony and 750-gallon aquariums featuring Virginia native fish in Northern Virginia, to Norway Rats trained to play basketball, snakes, turtles, lizards, and fascinating invertebrates in Richmond. You will also support the seasonal butterfly garden at the Danville Science Center as needed.
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Education and Operations, you’ll play a key role in animal care, collection management, permitting, and educational programming across the organization. The position will be based in Northern Virginia and will also periodically lead programs for the public and staff galleries, primarily at that site. We’re anticipating filling the role sometime this October.

Training will take place in Richmond, with the candidate expected to spend 2-3 days a week in Richmond from October-January. Telework or other work arrangement will be made for the remaining days each week until the Science Center is fully constructed.
If you’re passionate about animal welfare, science education, and creating unforgettable experiences for learners, this is your opportunity to help shape something truly extraordinary. 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 12 paid holidays.

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$73,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the candidate's experience and market considerations at the time of offer.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience working with and maintaining a live animal collection, including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and large aquaria with experience working with leafcutter ant colonies considered a bonus. Candidate must be energetic, outgoing, enthusiastic and comfortable “being on stage,” with demonstrated experience developing and delivering science-based experiences, classes, workshops, demonstrations and activities. Have demonstrated experience working with and coordinating volunteers and staff. Superior organizational, problem-solving, attention to detail and communication skills are essential, along with a strong desire and ability to work with children, families, and adults in a positive, friendly and accessible manner. Candidate must be comfortable performing in front of large groups and interacting one-on-one with visitors of all ages. The ability to remain flexible, patient and resourceful while managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously is required. Candidates must be able to work effectively in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team. Travel between locations is a required part of the position, and a valid driver’s license is required.

Additional Considerations

Veterinary technician training, certification or equivalent experience is a plus. Familiarity with local, state and federal permitting procedures is also 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.

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.