Airswift is looking for an Education & Public Programs Manager to support a major client on a 12-month contract in Brooklyn, NY.
Target Salary: $100,000 - $150,000/year (open for negotiation)

Position Summary:
This position blends the creativity of program direction with hands-on community engagement. The selected candidate will become an integral part of an organization's mission to educate and inspire. This is a dynamic position for a passionate professional eager to make a lasting impact in the world of renewable energy education.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Design & Execution

• Public Programs & Event Orchestration: Innovatively design and spearhead public programs and special events that align with the organization's mission, engaging diverse audiences in the wonders of offshore wind energy. Collaborate with the leadership team to maintain dynamic exhibits that captivate visitor interest and support educational objectives, including updates to the center's theater.
• Educational Program Leadership: Develop and implement school field trips that align with K-12 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Design and curate an internship program with a local high school, setting up class visits with experts, mentoring students, organizing presentations/design challenges, working with teachers, and teaching. Develop a broad community and stakeholder network across local schools and educational institutions.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Outreach & Relationship Building: Actively cultivate and deepen relationships with community partners, industry experts, and local organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration or other engagements. Spearhead community science initiatives, working in unison with local groups to foster hands-on participation in projects that enhance understanding of offshore wind science, the environment, and technology.

Program Enhancement & Insights

• Educational Research & Development: Conduct research to continually refresh and expand the educational offerings of the center, keeping abreast of the latest offshore wind industry trends and educational methodologies.
• Program Evaluation & Refinement: Devise and implement evaluation strategies for all programs and events, collecting data and feedback to inform the effectiveness of initiatives and guide future improvements.

Communication

• Social Media Engagement: As requested, work with external consultants to inform the curation of compelling content on the organization's social media platforms, highlighting activities, events, educational insights, and elevating the public profile of the center.

Candidate Profile:

• Education:
  • Minimum bachelor's degree in education, environmental science, communications, or related fields.
• Professional Experience:
  • At least 5 years of professional experience.
  • Minimum of 2 years in program design and execution, preferably within a museum, educational, or environmental setting.
• Key Skills & Expertise:
  • Proven success in engaging and expanding audience participation through public programs and events.
  • Expertise in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
  • Experience conducting educational research and program evaluations.
  • Strong commitment to accessibility and inclusion in educational settings.
  • Skilled in community engagement and partnership building.
• Additional Skills (Preferred but Not Required):
  • Proficiency in a second language, such as Spanish or Mandarin.
  • Experience with social media and marketing communications.

About the project you will be supporting:

WindScape Brooklyn
WindScape Brooklyn isn't just a new destination; it's a 10,000 sq ft nexus of energy education in vibrant Sunset Park. Poised to open in early 2025, it is where hands-on learning meets the pulse of an evolving industry.

Rising from a synergy between South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) and renowned city and educational entities, WindScape Brooklyn is the product of public-private partnership, dedicated to energizing the community.

This exciting new center is looking for a team to match. This is an invitation to architect a center from scratch, molding it into a space where knowledge and community intersect. The team will orchestrate unique programs and foster a collaborative spirit that echoes through every aspect of the WindScape experience.

It's also an opportunity to leverage one of the US's first offshore wind projects. Empire Wind 1 is a historic investment in the energy transition. The project is bringing a state-of-the-art offshore wind hub to Sunset Park and, starting in 2026, will power half a million NYC homes with renewable energy to help New York advance its climate targets.
Strategically located in Industry City, with direct views of the action at the SBMT and Empire Wind 1 operations and maintenance base, WindScape Brooklyn's features stand to inspire:

Educational Exhibits: From children to adults, guests will dive into the world of offshore wind through exhibits that inform and captivate.

Workforce Development: Shift visitors from passive learning to active engagement, opening doors for them into the offshore wind sector.

Community-Focused Public Programs: Initiate dialogues and alliances with a network of organizations and industry players through diverse public programs.

Open Gathering Spaces: Offer community groups free access to spaces within the center, reinforcing WindScape's commitment to being a true community hub.

Breathtaking Views and Tours: Enjoy uninterrupted vistas of SBMT and participate in guided tours that reveal the ins and outs of a working offshore wind hub.

Join us at WindScape Brooklyn and contribute to a project that promises to educate, inspire, and energize a community geared towards a sustainable future!