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Chair, Discovery Hall Programs (Outreach & Education)
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Mobile, AL, USA
Posted on Apr 12, 2026
Chair, Discovery Hall Programs (Outreach & Education)
Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL)
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab invites applications for the position of Chair of Discovery Hall Programs (DHP), also recognized as the Assistant Director for Outreach & Education. The Chair serves as the chief academic administrator for DISL’s Outreach and K-12 Education programs and is responsible for academic, personnel, financial, and administrative leadership.
Position OverviewThe Chair holds a dual role as both faculty member and administrator. Responsibilities include curriculum development, teaching support, and maintaining academic rigor; providing overall direction and supervision of DHP; and reporting to the Executive Director.
The successful candidate will lead faculty in a collaborative environment, ensuring open communication, shared governance, and informed decision‑making.
Key Responsibilities- Develop, update, and oversee academic‑year classes, K–12 programming, summer activities, and professional development offerings.
- Fulfill departmental administrative obligations, including budgeting, reporting, and evaluations.
- Ensure collection and analysis of program activity data.
- Write and manage grants and associated reporting requirements.
- Hold regular departmental meetings and lead the annual faculty/staff retreat. Select participants for summer and professional development programs.
- Hire and supervise faculty, staff, counselors, and interns.
- Conduct annual performance reviews and recommend promotions and salary adjustments.
- Maintain departmental website accuracy and assist in publicizing activities.
- Oversee equipment and infrastructure maintenance.
- Sustain professional credibility and collaborative relationships with regional educators and organizations.
- Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in marine science, environmental science, science education, or a closely related field.
- 5-7 years experience directing or coordinating educational programs at the K–12, undergraduate, or professional level.
- Demonstrated success in grant writing and grant management.
- Experience with budgeting, reporting, and departmental administration.
- Evidence of scholarly activity, publication, or professional contributions in science education.
- Experience leading retreat planning, committee participation, or institutional initiatives.
- Familiarity with coastal or marine education networks, Gulf‑region partnerships, or outreach institutions.
- Demonstrated teaching experience in formal or informal science education.
- Experience in academic program development or curriculum design.
- Administrative or leadership experience in an educational or outreach setting.
- Experience supervising staff or managing teams.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners.
- Maintain credibility among educators and research scientists
- Obtain a Class B CDL (with passenger endorsement) bus license for transportation of students off campus.
- Perform additional duties assigned by the Executive Director.
- Application Process for the Chair, Discovery Hall Programs
Applicants should submit the following as a single PDF:
- Cover Letter
- Describe interest in the position
- Address leadership experience, teaching experience, curriculum development, and outreach background
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Teaching and Outreach Vision for a remote marine station (1–2 pages)
- Statement of Leadership or Administrative Philosophy (1–2 pages)
- Contact information for 3–5 professional references
Submit all application materials by email to search@disl.edu (for questions email Ms. Chris Shaw, cshaw@disl.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.