Associate Director of Education

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Education is a non-tenure-track Public Service Faculty position responsible for strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Marine Education Center and Aquarium. The role oversees daily operations, including supervision of faculty and staff, facilities, vessels, and vehicles, while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and effective budget administration. This position serves on the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant leadership team and leads the design, delivery, and evaluation of marine education and outreach programs aligned with unit priorities and National Sea Grant initiatives.

The position fosters collaboration across university units, government agencies, and external stakeholders, and represents the organization at professional and public forums. Additional responsibilities include guiding strategic planning, supporting development initiatives, securing external funding, and integrating education initiatives across multiple locations. The position requires demonstrated expertise in informal education leadership, program development, and team management, along with strong communication skills and a deep understanding of coastal and marine issues, particularly those relevant to Georgia’s coast.

This is an administrative, non-tenured public service faculty appointment in the public service faculty career ladder at the University of Georgia. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Public Service Assistant Associate, or Senior Public Service Associate. For information about the requirements for each rank, please see Guidelines for Appointments and Promotion ( (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ).

All applications received by September 1, 2026 are assured full consideration.

Posting Number F2755P

Working Title Associate Director of Education

Department PSO-Marine Extension Service

About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university. The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report.

The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provides integrated research, education and extension programs that foster the responsible use of Georgia’s coastal resources by individuals, decision-makers and management agencies.

Our program is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia ( UGA ) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s ( NOAA ) National Sea Grant College Program, a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.

Mission and Focus Areas Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s mission is to improve the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education, training and outreach. We believe an engaged and informed public support thriving coastal ecosystems and resilient and inclusive communities.

Every four years, our program develops a long-range strategic plan that describes our goals and priorities for the coming years. To create this plan, we utilize a multi-step process that incorporates fresh input from a broad constituency. Read Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s  Strategic Plan here.

The strategic plan outlines goals, strategies, outcomes and corresponding performance…