Lead Community Programs Educator; Part-Time

Lead Community Programs Educator (Part-Time)

Job Category
:
Education

Requisition Number
: LEADC
001049

Apply now

• Posted :
  January 16, 2026
• Part-Time
• On-site
• Rate : $16 USD per hour

Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium
1 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

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.

Key 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.
• Ensures policies and procedures are adhered to and that safety is a top priority.
• Assists in organizing and reporting inventory of all overnight program supplies. Ensures team completes preparation, break down, and cleanup of facilities for overnight, evening, and community programs and activities.
• Responsible for distributed food items during overnight and following health department guidelines.
• 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.
• Able and willing to assist with any programming needs of the Education Department.

Key Requirements

• Minimum of a high school degree or GED; college work or degree preferred
• 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
• First Aid/CPR Certification (training will be provided if needed)
• 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

Part-time, hourly ($16/hour); minimum of two weeknight overnights per month along with a minimum of one reserve shift a month (based on bookings) will include weekends, weekdays, evenings, and holidays.

All submissions must be received by January 30, 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.