Director of Education and Public Engagement

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Ned Smith Center seeks a dynamic and creative education professional to serve as Director of Education and Public Engagement. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of environmental education, nature and arts engagement, and conservation outreach at one of Pennsylvania’s most unique nature and cultural centers. Through innovative educational programming and engaging visitor experiences, the Center strives to inspire lifelong connections to nature, art, and conservation.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Education and Public Engagement provides leadership and strategic direction for the Center’s educational programming, interpretation, and public engagement initiatives and serves as the organization’s lead educational professional. This position plays a critical role in advancing the Center’s mission by creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the natural world and the legacy of wildlife artist Ned Smith.

The Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational experiences that connect people of all ages with nature, art, and conservation. While educational programming including school programs, summer camps, guided walks, and workshops remain central to the Center’s work, the organization is committed to broadening opportunities for engagement through exhibits, interpretive signage, citizen science initiatives, digital and print resources, social media content, public events, community partnerships, and other lifelong learning experiences. The Director will help shape and implement this vision. 

The ideal candidate is an experienced and collaborative leader, creative thinker, and passionate advocate for environmental education who embraces and exemplifies the Ned Smith Center’s mission, vision, and core values (education and lifelong learning, conservation and stewardship, and community). A demonstrated commitment to educational excellence, community engagement, and fostering meaningful connections between people and place is essential to success in this role.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership for the Center’s educational programs and public engagement efforts.
• Developing and overseeing school programs, field trips, summer camps, workshops, guided walks, lectures, and other educational offerings.
• Leading the development of interpretive experiences throughout the Center’s facilities and properties, including exhibits, signage, self-guided activities, and educational displays.
• Creating and coordinating educational content for newsletters, website resources, social media platforms, short videos, printed materials, and other public-facing communications.
• Supporting citizen science initiatives and helping communicate the Center’s conservation, stewardship, and research activities to the public.
• Building and maintaining partnerships with schools, community organizations, government agencies, universities, and other stakeholders.
• Supervising education staff, AmeriCorps members, interns, and volunteers.
• Managing education-related budgets, grant-supported projects, program evaluation, and reporting.
• Representing the Center through community events, media opportunities, public presentations, and professional networks.
• Collaborating with other staff to enhance visitor engagement across the Center’s programs, facilities, exhibitions, and 535-acre property.

The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, with regular evening and weekend commitments associated with programs, events, outreach activities, and seasonal programming.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, education, wildlife biology, biology, environmental science, natural resources, interpretation, fine arts, museum studies, communications, parks and recreation, or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience developing and delivering educational programs, preferably in environmental education, natural sciences, conservation, museums, parks, nature centers, or a related setting.
• One to two years of supervisory and/or program management experience.
• Knowledge of environmental education principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of natural history, ecology, wildlife, and conservation concepts.
• Ability to communicate scientific and environmental concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a small, mission-driven organization.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and common digital communication tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing educational content for exhibits, interpretive signage, publications, websites, social media, videos, or other public-facing educational media.
• Experience with citizen science initiatives, community engagement programs, or conservation outreach.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania natural history and regional ecosystems.
• Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in one or more of the Center’s special focus areas, including fungi, owl research and monitoring, butterflies and moths, or related ecological fields.
• Experience securing, managing, or reporting on grant-funded educational projects.
• Master’s degree in a related field.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain or maintain AED, First Aid, and CPR certifications.
• Satisfactory Pennsylvania State Police, FBI criminal background check, and Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance.
• Ability to safely traverse the Center’s indoor and outdoor facilities, including trails with uneven terrain, moderate elevation changes, and varying weather conditions throughout the year, in order to lead programs, guide hikes, and support conservation activities.
• Must be able to lead educational and outreach programs that require standing for long periods.

BENEFITS

As a team member at the Ned Smith Center, you will enjoy:

• A unique workplace surrounded by nature and the beauty of rural Central Pennsylvania.
• Varied and meaningful work, opportunities for professional development, and a supportive work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, retirement savings plan, education assistance, and employee discounts.
• Fifteen (15) days of paid time off to start, eleven (11) paid holidays, and parental leave.
• The opportunity to help shape how thousands of visitors each year engage with nature, art, conservation, and community.

ABOUT THE NED SMITH CENTER

Nestled in the scenic Susquehanna Valley of Central Pennsylvania, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people with nature, art, and conservation. Inspired by the life and work of renowned Pennsylvania wildlife artist Ned Smith, the Center serves as a regional destination for environmental education, outdoor recreation, artistic exhibitions, and community engagement through year-round programs, events, workshops, guided walks, and lectures.

Our mission is to honor the legacy of Ned Smith by merging the arts and natural world through education, exhibition, and experiences. We strive to be a welcoming and inclusive resource that enriches the cultural, social, environmental, and economic vitality of our community and inspires people of all ages and backgrounds.

Located in historic Millersburg, Pennsylvania, 30 miles north of Harrisburg, the Center encompasses 535 acres of woodlands with nine miles of hiking trails, an open-air amphitheater, a children’s discovery area, pollinator gardens, and other outdoor amenities. The facility includes three art galleries, an education room, a gift shop, administrative offices, and an observational bee hive. Employees generally work on-site at the Center and at off-site locations as needed for programs and events.