Columbia, South Carolina
Guangzhou, China
UNIVERSITY CITY, Missouri
Stanford, California
St. Louis, Missouri
Posted: 18-Sep-24
Location: La Jolla, California
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 132033
UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 09/20/2024 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.
Special Selection Applicants: Apply by 10/01/2024. Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the non-profit exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. The aquarium showcases over 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates. The interactive museum features research discoveries by Scripps scientists and engages visitors of all ages.
Our goal is to promote conservation efforts that protect our ocean planet. We educate visitors on how our world works and inspire them to become stewards of the planet. Our conservation efforts are based on scientific research, and we aim to connect people with nature and with a shared sense of responsibility to care for our planet Earth.
Website: aquairum.ucsd.edu
Location: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Community Outreach Specialist at Birch Aquarium plays a vital role in connecting the institution with its surrounding community and key stakeholders. This position is primarily responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive outreach programs, events and communication strategies that effectively inform and engage various constituencies about the aquarium's programs, activities, policies and practices.
A significant portion of the specialist's time is dedicated to fostering and maintaining partnerships with local organizations that align with Birch Aquarium's strategic initiatives, particularly those focused on enhancing access and success. This involves identifying potential partners, cultivating relationships and collaborating on projects that strengthen the aquarium's presence in the community.
The specialist manages all aspects of community outreach events, from initial planning and logistics to on-site execution and post-event evaluation. Additionally, they will play a crucial role in supporting media opportunities related to community outreach, helping to increase the aquarium's visibility and public engagement.
Research is an important component of this position. The specialist is expected to investigate various topics and gather relevant data to inform strategic planning, making recommendations to leadership and tracking event success to guide future initiatives. They also research opportunities for the aquarium to participate in community events that align with its strategic goals.
In collaboration with the Volunteer Manager, the specialist trains staff and volunteers who support outreach events. They also provide work direction to a student assistant who helps manage community ticket donation requests. Responding to constituent inquiries about outreach events, donation requests and partnerships is another key responsibility.
The role extends beyond community outreach to include building relationships with UC San Diego campus resource centers and other strategic partners. The specialist explores sponsorship opportunities for activations and events, working closely with the Education Team to identify synergies between partners and onsite events. They also manage existing community partnerships and oversee the Community Ticket Donation Program.
As a member of the Marketing and Communications Team, the specialist may occasionally assist with onsite media, film shoots, and other marketing support activities as needed. This flexibility allows them to contribute to the broader marketing efforts of the aquarium while maintaining their primary focus on community outreach and engagement.
Overall, this position requires a dynamic individual who can effectively balance multiple responsibilities, from event planning and partnership development to research and stakeholder communication, all while advancing Birch Aquarium's mission and strengthening its ties with the community.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in building and maintaining effective relations with alumni, internal and key constituencies.
Experience in project management, including event planning and meeting deadlines.
Thorough knowledge of the campus, its mission, goals, objectives, programs, achievements, infrastructure and issues of concern.
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications, tact and political acumen to effectively represent the campus.
Thorough research, analytical and critical thinking skills, including sound judgment and decision-making skills and skill to correctly identify real and potential problems, advising management a
Connections working at University of California San DiegoUC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 8 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Innovation is central to who we are and what we do. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom - life is their laboratory. UC San Diego's rich academic portfolio includes six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions and five graduate and professional schools. The university's award-winning scholars are experts at the forefront of their fields with an impressive track record for achieving scientific, medical and technological breakthroughs.