Primary Purpose of Position:
The Head of Prairie Ridge Ecostation works to manage, promote, and provide educational opportunities at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences' 45-acre field station in Raleigh, N.C. This outdoor facility provides opportunities for education and scientific research.

Key Responsibilities:
Duties include but are not limited to:

• Providing leadership and management to an onsite team of 5 museum professionals; recruiting and training educational staff and volunteers
• Overseeing the daily operations of Prairie Ridge Ecostation
• Planning, developing, and promoting site-based programming for school and public programs, working closely with NCMNS' Education Section and Citizen Science to align programs with the Museum’s mission
• Disseminating information to teachers regarding programs including information about the facility, its resources, and programs; scheduling and confirming field trip dates, and collecting payments
• Developing supporting materials for new and existing programs including outlines, props, interpretive signage, self guided activities, educational handouts, and updating information
• Collaborating with NCMNS' Marketing and Communication Section to promote and support Prairie Ridge via website, print, social media, and television
• Maintaining and developing outdoor learning areas and habitats including response and planning related to storm damage, erosion, invasive species mitigation, wildlife management, facility repair, and overall staff and visitor safety using best practices
• Assisting with all fund raising initiatives for Prairie Ridge Ecostation including grant and development opportunities including donor stewardship

Section/Unit Description:
Division Description:
The state’s museum devoted to science and nature, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciencesin central Raleigh, is the largest institution of its kind in the Southeastern United States and, with over a million visitors a year, the state’s most visited museum. Its 300,000 square foot downtown campus is augmented by Prairie Ridge Ecostation and satellite facilities in Whiteville, Greenville, and Contentnea Creek. Together, they provide a variety of curriculum-focused classes onsite, offsite, outdoors, and online for pre-kindergarten through graduate students across the state.

As a museum of nature, we integrate the dual concepts of illumination and inspiration with the work we do and the many stories we tell. In a time of unprecedented environmental challenges, nothing could be more critical. This nexus of ideas makes us unique. Across three vibrant floors of laboratories and exhibitions, our Nature Research Center provides an unparalleled opportunity to see science in action by watching museum researchers studying the natural world in real time. In the Nature Exploration Center, exhibits and live animal displays reveal North Carolina’s rich natural habitats, wildlife, and geology from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.

Department Information:
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care ofthe things that people love about North Carolina, literally from A to Z. The Arts to the Zoo, and so much else – parks, aquariums, historic sites, archaeology, African American Heritage Commission, science and history museums, the state Symphony, Library and Archives, historic preservation, land and water stewardship, and more. These places, and the ideas they represent, create a shared identity in North Carolina. They provide common ground. Everyone is welcome. The Department’s vision is to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state's diverse population, culture, and history. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Check out this amazing video about our Department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Qualified candidates must have or be able to:

• Demonstrated knowledge of a natural science area and related teaching methods
• Knowledge of natural resource management techniques
• Knowledge of facility maintenance and construction principles as they pertain to Museums
• Demonstrated skills developing, facilitating, and coordinating on-site, outdoor, and natural science programming and events
• Demonstrated skills working with teachers, scientists, volunteers, students, and the public from a variety of backgrounds and abilities
• Valid NC driver's license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment

Physical Requirements:

• This position's job duties are performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions
• This position requires the ability to walk or stand for extended periods of time

Management Prefers:

• Three years of supervisory experience
• Three years of teaching experience
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to think creatively about problems
• Excellent oral and written communications skills are needed in all aspects of this position
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills
• Effective problem-solving skills
• Skill coordinating community engagement activities

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Art History, Biology, Botany, Conservation, Education, History or Zoology from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of museum or related work

• An equivalent combination of education and experience.