Job Description

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 37 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals. 
 
Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its 85 full-time staff, and part-time and seasonal staff, in addition to our volunteers. 

Reporting to the Associate Director, Exhibits, the Exhibit Developer (ExhD) plays a key role in the creation and maintenance of beautiful, engaging, and meaningful exhibit experiences that inspire guests and support the Aquarium’s mission. This position will work cross-functionally throughout the organization and alongside Exhibit Design and Brand Experience function in order to deliver on the organization’s objectives and goals. The ExhD is responsible for collecting background content and conducting subject research, proposes key takeaways and exhibit narratives, and develops the most effective way to structure messages and content, and craft stories to resonate with guests.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collect, organize, and manage content including background information, sources, and media; share this information with stakeholders and design team.
• Manage diverse opinions to assist in the development of an exhibit big idea and interpretive program through a collaborative process. Work closely with design team and stakeholders to participate in developing interpretive tactics to keep designs on target for content/message and maintain strong empathy to the guests’ psychology and behavior including accessibility.
• Research images, videos, sounds, objects, and other relevant items for exhibit interpretation. Maintain relevant data, and acquire necessary usage rights and licenses. Manage credits and acknowledgements in exhibit materials.
• Identify and engage outside experts, creators, agencies and others who provide services and content-related materials.
• Act as project manager for interpretive design process, from figuring out work plan, drafting schedule, to keeping track of progress against the agreed schedule and taking actions to keep work on track.
• Write draft text for all graphics in collaboration with stakeholders from Education Department. Facilitate expert reviews and the editorial process; work with designer to ensure correct changes. Proofing of all exhibit elements from presentations.
• Organize and help conduct audience/exhibit evaluations, and apply findings to changes and future projects.
• Team with other key stakeholders to enhance The Maritime Aquarium’s public image and positioning, foster positive guest relations, and elevating our content delivery.
• In conjunction with the Associate Director Exhibits, oversee the integration of the brand vision and objectives, procedures and policies, to exhibit interpretation throughout the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience

• 1 – 2 years in interpretive exhibit design or educational program design at an aquarium, zoo, museum, or related organization.
• Hands-on experience in content research at a cultural organization.
• Experience working under pressure and managing multiple, competing tasks and priorities.
• Non-profit experience.

Knowledge and skills

• Commitment to the Aquarium’s mission, with an appreciation for the important role that the Aquarium plays in conservation, education and the life of a vibrant community.
• Knowledge of or experience with tracking content and materials against grants.
• Ability to conceptualize content and design in 2D and 3D spaces
• Commitment to equity and social justice, and strong alignment with our organizational values.
• Familiarity with behavioral psychology and methods for shaping visitor behavior is helpful but not required.
• Exemplary project management skills in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Hand skills in sketching and or model building.
• Knowledge of biology or library sciences is helpful but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Continuous improvement / problem solving mindset and way of working.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Facility in collecting and utilizing data to inform and validate decisions.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Maritime Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.