Archived listing. The details below describe a past opening.
The Lead Community Programs Educator position supports the mission of the Tennessee Aquarium to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife. The Education Department is passionate about lifelong learning, respect for conservation, recognizing the abilities of all people and their experiences, the value of both using and contributing to research about informal education, and a collaborative, learning-based, respectful work environment. This position will engage with guests utilizing best practices in conservation education messaging during interactions with Aquarium guests during their visit.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads engaging and informative evening and overnight education programs including but not limited to guided tours through galleries and behind the scenes, community festivals and other special experiences.
- Encourages active discovery and sparks curiosity for our guests as they visit the Aquarium. Makes impromptu changes to programs to meet the needs of various audiences, such as families, adults, or children of different ages and needs.
- Responsible for ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to. Ensures safety is a top priority for all participants, staff, and volunteers.
- Assists in organizing and reporting inventory of all overnight program supplies and equipment used in presentations and activities. Ensures team completes preparation, break down, and cleanup of facilities and materials for overnight, evening, and community programs and activities.
- Responsible for distributed food items during overnight and following health department guidelines during overnights.
- Responsible for communicating with staff and volunteers during overnight, evening, and community programs and coordinating activities, ensuring that the program runs smoothly and stays on schedule.
- Helps maintain constant supervision (along with coworkers) of all participants. Lead will sleep in same overnight area as participants. If not staying the night, return in the morning to set up breakfast and conclude program.
- Follows all protocols related to ambassador animal handling along with obtaining and maintaining animal program certifications.
- Actively participate in Education Department meetings, professional learning, events, and special projects, when applicable
- Able and willing to assist with any programming needs of the Education Department.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
- Passion for the environment, nature, and communication
- Strong communication and public speaking skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work from a schedule, multitask and adapt as the situation warrants
- Innovative, curious, growth mindset, and team player
- Ability and willingness to work weekday evening programs, which could include overnights, Aquarium events, and community festivals
- Comfort with learning to handle a variety of Ambassador and exhibit animals, including invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, and small mammals
Educational/Experience Preferences
- Experience in storytelling/interpretation preferred
- Experience in working with children and people of all ages preferred
- Experience with Aquarium’s staff, campus, and/or living population preferred
- Experience or coursework in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Education or a related field preferred
License or Certification
- First Aid/CPR Certification (training will be provided if needed)
Working Conditions
- Indoor environment that may be warm or cool, and occasionally wet
- Crowded, dimly lit, and loud environments
- Occasional outdoor environment
- Weeknights, evenings, and some weekends and holidays are required
- At least 2 weeknight overnights per month along with at least one reserve shift per month. Hours and days for each week will fluctuate and are dependent on guest registration and needs for maintaining animal handling proficiency.
- Overnight shifts begin at 5:15pm ET and end around 10:30am ET at the latest, with breaks and bedtime built in. Evening programs and community festival times may vary. Schedules are created at least 2 weeks in advance.
Physical Demands
- Physical necessities in working with families and children.
- Constant monitoring of group participants for a safe experience
- Frequent walking, stooping, lifting, carrying.
- Ability to lift and carry at least 20lbs
Part-time, hourly ($17/hour); Weeknights, evenings, and some weekends and holidays are required
At least 2 weeknight overnights per month along with at least one reserve shift per month. Hours and days for each week will fluctuate and are dependent on guest registration and needs for maintaining animal handling proficiency.
Overnight shifts begin at 5:15pm ET and end around 10:30am ET at the latest, with breaks and bedtime built in. Evening programs and community festival times may vary. Schedules are created at least 2 weeks in advance.
To apply, submit an online application, resume, references, and cover letter through the Aquarium’s career site at https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/TEN1003TNAQ/JobBoard/12ee8ae7-931c-4fa4-a24a-ff683f36b8c3/?q=&o=postedDateDesc
All submissions must be received by October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.