Education and Youth Engagement Manager

Position Summary: The Education and Youth Engagement Manager is a key member of the programs and education team, responsible for serving as the point of contact for our Discovery Camp program, as well as planning, developing, coordinating and facilitating educational summer camp programs, in addition to year-round youth engagement programs. This role requires a dynamic individual with excellent interpersonal and management skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships with campers, families, and the community at-large. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Discovery Camp Program Administration: 

• Plan and coordinate the Discovery Camp registration launch and manage those registrations from spring through the summer.  
• Assist parents and guardians with program registration needs and related administrative support. 
• Oversee recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of interns with the support, as needed, of the Director of Science and Programs 
• Plan and facilitate a 2-week orientation for education interns with support from the Camp & Youth Engagement Coordinator.   
• Stay up to date on compliance with State and Local regulations for summer camp programs.   
• Coordinate, fill out, process, and submit the Town of Nantucket Application for Recreational Camp Permit. 
• Lead educational instruction in alignment with MA State Science Frameworks and NGSS Standards through lesson design and revision 
• Serve as the immediate supervisor to the Discovery Camp team, schedule staff, and plan location assignments.  
• Ensure education interns provide fun, educational, and safe outdoor experiences for children.  
• Review weekly lesson plans created by interns, edit accordingly while providing instructional support not limited to theme revision and activity updates, and print for weekly clipboards. 
• Assess, update, and create new themes and lessons for summer camps and year-round programs 
• Provide location schedules for staff each week to use for schedule creation.  
• Visit program sites around the island to check in on and support interns and campers, at least 2x a week.  
• Request permission from property owners for field trips and ensure site visits have been authorized and approved. 
• Inventory, order, and maintain supplies for the Discovery Camp and youth engagement programs. 
• Manage the maintenance of education vehicles by ensuring that they are cleaned and washed regularly, gas is filled, and all required inspections and oil changes are complete. 
• Inspect vehicle fleet regularly for needed maintenance, any damage, and file relevant reports with administrative office as needed. 
• Plan, organize, and lead end of summer cleanup of camp facilities 

Youth Engagement Programs Management: 

• Collaborate with 5th grade public and private classrooms to facilitate the 5th Grade Trees in the Community Program.  
• Plan and coordinate after-school, half-day, school vacation, and out-of-school time program sessions, during the school year. 
• Lead after school, half-day, school vacation, out of school, and visiting/travelling educational programs. 
• Hire, train, and coordinate staffing of after-school program sessions. 
• Mentor youth volunteers through after-school program sessions. 
• Collaborate with the Nantucket Community School & community partners to plan and execute the Nantucket Science Festival.   
• Assist with program development, descriptions and review as necessary.   
• Assist with grant requests and reports as necessary.   
• Help with animal care as needed.  
• Ensure classroom and museum spaces are always clean and ready for public viewing.  
• Assist with other organizational tasks as needed. 
• Serve as an ambassador for the MMA by promoting the organization within the Nantucket community and participating in volunteer activities that support partner organizations and foster community support.  

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in environmental education, natural sciences, or related fields.  
• Per state regulations for camp programs, you must be at least 25 years of age.  
• Possess at least three years of previous experience as part of an administrative staff of an educational/recreational camp for children, or equivalent.  
• Possess demonstrated proof of experience leading camp programs for children in outdoor activities including kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, etc.  
• Management experience and comfortable supervising college-aged adults.  
• Strong naturalist skills, knowledge of basic scientific and ecological concepts, and the ability to apply this knowledge to creative lessons, games, activities, etc.  
• Commitment to educating and fostering appreciation for the natural world.  
• Experience with and passion for teaching a wide range of ages.  
• Conflict resolution experience. 
• Emergency response and management experience.  
• Willingness to learn about Nantucket ecosystems, species diversity, basic astronomy, current STEAM programs, and island-based scientific research.  
• Excellent group communication, writing and computer skills.  
• Self-motivated and self-directed person capable of seeing a job that needs doing and completing it with a minimum of supervision.  
• First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard Certified  

Application Instructions: Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references to the MMA’s Director of Science and Programs, lfreedman@mariamitchell.org 

Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

The Maria Mitchell Association is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.