Senior Specialist- Education and Community Engagement

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society is an impact-driven global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonders of our world. The division serves this mission by amplifying and extending the work of NGS explorers into classrooms and communities, helping educators and young people develop an explorer mindset and inspiring them to learn about, care for, and protect our world. The division seeks to help the world understand the importance of geography - seeing the connections, interdependencies, and patterns that shape human and natural systems on our planet.

To accomplish its goals and to extend reach and impact, the Education and Community Engagement division cultivates strategic partnerships; manages education-focused endowments, fellowships and grants; creates and disseminates education content and programs for Explorers and a K-16 audience domestically and internationally; connects Explorers to classrooms and communities; and engages youth in the mission by building Explorer-focused innovative, co-curricular opportunities. These educational resources and experiences elevate missing voices, bring a multiplicity of perspectives, and are accessible on a continuum of no-low-high tech capacities at scale across the globe.

Reporting to the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement (VPECE), the Senior Specialist plans, implements and executes community engagement initiatives. This will include collaborating across the Society and ECE in implementing programming and initiatives for Explorers, staff, the K-12 and higher education communities, and the local DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DC metro) communities. In collaboration with the VPECE, the Senior Specialist will also support managing the Society's accessibility efforts. In this role, you will work with the VPECE, the Community Engagement team, the ECE division and Society collaborators to embed community engagement and accessibility as strategic priorities across the National Geographic Society.

The successful candidate will have previous experience implementing community engagement or community outreach initiatives, thrive in managing multiple projects, event planning, communicating effectively, and collaborating with constituencies. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

• Strategy and Development (20%):

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the goals of the organization, overarching NGS strategy, education programs, and critical metrics across the organization.

  • Under the guidance of the VPECE, contributes to the development and implementation of high-impact initiatives across the Education and Community Engagement portfolio.

  • Under the guidance of the VPECE, contributes to the planning and implementation of the organization’s accessibility efforts.
    

• Program Management (65%):

  • Provides specialized knowledge, depth, and expertise across the Community Engagement portfolio under the direction of VPECE.

    • Planning, executing and management of community engagement programming: In collaboration with the VPECE, lead the strategic design, planning, and delivery of community engagement programming. Oversee presenter engagement and preparation to ensure alignment with program goals. Develop program frameworks, run-of-show materials, and engagement protocols that model best practices in inclusive convening. Direct event registration strategies, participant communications, and post-event engagement to ensure seamless and impactful experiences. Provide strategic oversight of staff and Explorer travel logistics, including visa coordination, per diem distribution, and accessibility or dependent care support, in collaboration with travel and operations partners. Serving as point of contact for inquiries and coordination, planning, and logistical management support of attendees, Explorers, and community partners to include registration, communication, and travel and lodging.
      

    • Planning, executing and management of accessibility working group: In collaboration with the VPECE, manage the Accessibility Working Group (AWG), including scheduling, setting agendas, documenting meeting minutes, tracking attendance, and ensuring timely follow-up on action items. Develop and maintain the AWG's project roadmap, tracking progress against established goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to accessibility. Assist in coordinating and interpreting third-party accessibility audits and testing results, helping the AWG prioritize and scope efforts.
      

    • Analysis and Innovation: Interpretation of internal/external issues and recommend solutions, evidence-based practices, and streamlined processes.

• Executes tactical components of the strategy under the direction of the VPECE and with support from the Senior Manager, Education and Community Engagement. This includes:

  • Contracts, payments and vendor support: Administer contracts and payments across the program in coordination with the Legal and Finance divisions.

  • Administrative and organizational support: Scheduling meetings, taking notes and managing agendas; Update team organizational tools, such as work plans, roadmaps, templates, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
    

• Team, Divisional and Organizational Collaboration (15%):

  • Contributes to multiple initiatives across the Education and Community Engagement division; serves on internal cross-platform workgroups to maximize strategy results and scale.

  • Develops and maintains strong positive and empathetic working relationships with other NGS divisions and external teams.

  • Contributes expertise to support divisional goals and processes as well as impact programs across the broader Education team.

  • Supports a culture of inclusion, empowerment, and accountability while strongly promoting innovation.

What You’ll Bring

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Minimum Years and Types of Experience

4+ years of experience in non-profit and/or educational settings.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Strong project management skills and high attention to detail.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards (e.g., ADA, WCAG), universal design, and inclusive practices.

• Highly developed oral and written communication skills and ability to work with individuals and groups at all levels.

• Ability to work on multiple projects, under deadlines, with changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Prioritize and manage tasks and responsibilities that span multiple teams.

• Coordinating and managing appointments, meetings, and multiple schedules.

• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace tools.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with community engagement programs and/or working with local communities.

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $72,200.00 - $76,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.