About the Role
Are you a highly organized, creative professional with a passion for ocean conservation, education, and community engagement?
Join REEF at an exciting moment of growth and help bring our Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo to life through impactful programs, events, and partnerships. As a global leader in citizen science and marine conservation, REEF is expanding how people connect with the ocean, and this role plays a key part in that vision. In this position, you will lead and grow a dynamic portfolio of outreach events, support the expansion of facility rentals and public programming, and collaborate across teams to create engaging, mission-driven experiences. This is an opportunity to take ownership of meaningful work and help shape how people learn about, connect with, and protect the ocean every day.
Position Details
Job Title: Outreach Coordinator
Location: REEF Campus, Key Largo, Florida US
Reports to: Chesley Davis, Director of Learning and Engagement
Type: Full-time, exempt, permanent, in-person. Long-term remote work is not compatible with this role
Application Timeline: Application review starts on April 30, 2026, open until filled. Immediate start date desired, no later than August 15, 2026.
How to Apply: Click on the application portal below
Position Summary
REEF seeks an Outreach Coordinator to play a central role in expanding and improving the reach and impact of programs and engagement at the REEF Campus in Key Largo. This is a unique opportunity for a highly organized, creative, and motivated professional to help shape how people connect with the ocean through events, programs, and community partnerships.
The Outreach Coordinator will lead the planning and execution of REEF’s outreach event portfolio while contributing to the continued growth and evolution of programs across the REEF Campus. This includes a well-established set of signature events, alongside opportunities to expand programs such as Ocean After Hours weekly public events, community partnerships, and facility rentals.
This role is ideal for someone who is excited not only to manage events, but to build and improve them over time. The Outreach Coordinator will work collaboratively across departments to ensure programs are well-executed, financially sound, and continuously improving in reach, participation, and impact. This role offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth, with the ability to shape and expand programs over time and take on increasing leadership within a growing organization.
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Event Portfolio
The Outreach Coordinator leads a dynamic portfolio of programs that serve as key touchpoints for community engagement and public participation in REEF’s mission. These include:
- Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival – an annual multi-day event combining an invasive species removal contest with a public, family-friendly festival held on the REEF Campus in Key Largo
- Ocean After Hours – a weekly public education event held at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center each Tuesday evening
- Community Tabling and Other Events – outreach events with community partners throughout the Florida Keys and South Florida
- Fish Out of Water Virtual 5K – an annual marine life themed virtual event held each June around World Oceans Day
The Outreach Coordinator is responsible for planning and executing this portfolio while identifying opportunities to strengthen and expand these programs over time. This role ensures events are well organized, financially sound, and aligned with REEF’s mission, with a focus on increasing participation, visibility, and community impact.
Responsibilities include cross-departmental coordination, communications, vendor relations, marketing support, volunteer coordination, and financial tracking.
Facility Rentals and Program Development
The Outreach Coordinator will manage and help grow the use of REEF Campus spaces for educational, community, and mission-aligned events. This role serves as a primary point of contact for external partners, clients, and community members. This position oversees the full rental lifecycle from inquiry through contract coordination and event-day execution, while contributing to the continued expansion and refinement of the facility rental program. The role also actively seeks out new opportunities for expanded use of the REEF Campus.
Team and Operational Responsibilities
This role contributes to REEF’s member and donor engagement efforts, including supporting communications and fulfillment processes as part of broader outreach and stewardship initiatives.
As part of the REEF Campus team, this position includes regular time supporting visitor experience in the Ocean Exploration Center, helping deliver a high quality, engaging experience for all guests. The Outreach Coordinator will also contribute to team-wide initiatives, including support of the REEF Marine Education & Conservation Internship program and collaboration on campus-wide programming.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience
- Previous experience with event planning and management strongly preferred
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with proficiency in platforms such as Excel, Word, Asana, Slack, and Canva
- Customer-service mindset with strong verbal and written communication skills across phone, email, and in-person interactions
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic nonprofit environment, while contributing effectively within a collaborative team
- Experience in informal education settings such as museums, science centers, aquariums, or nature centers is a plus
- Passion for the ocean, education, and building meaningful connections
The ideal candidate is energized by building and improving programs, takes ownership of their work, and thrives in a collaborative growing organization.
Compensation, Terms, & How to Apply
Salary Range: starting at $45,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Benefits Include:
- Health insurance reimbursement benefits
- 403(b) retirement plan with up to 3% employer match
- 20 days of accrued PTO annually
- 9 paid holidays per year
- Flex-time work options
Weekly schedule may vary depending on programming and event coordination and may include evenings, weekends, or holidays, U.S. and occasional travel may be expected
Interested applicants should apply through www.REEF.org/job-application. Applicants will upload a combined PDF including resume, cover letter, and references, addressed to Martha Klitzkie, Co-Executive Director: Strategy & Operations. Applications will be reviewed starting April 30, and the position will remain open until filled. Desired start date is as soon as possible and no later than August 15. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. This position is based in Key Largo, Florida US.
About REEF
REEF is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to conserving marine environments worldwide. REEF engages the public through citizen science, education, and partnerships with the scientific community to inspire curiosity, connection, and action in marine conservation.
Founded over 30 years ago, REEF’s mission is to protect biodiversity and ocean life. With a commitment to hands-on science, public engagement, and collaboration, REEF operates a range of innovative programs that connect people with the ocean and inspire stewardship.
REEF’s place-based facility, known as the REEF Campus, is in Key Largo, Florida and includes administrative offices, a classroom building, a Native Plants and Heritage Trail, and the Ocean Exploration Center for Marine Conservation, which opened in June 2025. This state-of-the-art visitor and education center features a seminar space, flexible exhibits, and immersive learning environments designed to bring REEF’s mission to life for visitors of all ages. It is open six days a week and is free for all to enjoy.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity is at the heart of REEF’s mission. As the ocean thrives through its diversity of life, so too must REEF reflect diversity in our people, programs, and partnerships. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds within our team and across the communities we serve.
REEF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply.