Museum Programs Specialist

Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Reports to: Guest and Community Engagement Manager

This position requires an experienced informal educator to collaboratively lead two cornerstone museum programs.

First, this position acts as lead facilitator for the Nature Museum’s daily programs. Though not a supervisory role, this position is responsible for organization of the multi-level facilitation team through running the facilitator weekly meeting, identifying needs to update or retire museum programs, conducting team trainings, etc. They are responsible for providing regular observation and coaching of the delivery of the daily programs by any trained facilitator. This position’s responsibilities include staying current on best practices in informal education and collaborating within and across departments to integrate current best practices into all programs.

Second, this position works on the team that is responsible for implementing the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) Program. C3 is the Nature Museum’s grassroots sustainability program. This position implementation of the leader training cohorts, community engagement, and ensuring that the program continues to stay up to date and meets its goals.

Minimum Education Required:

• High School Diploma

Minimum Experience Required:

• Minimum of 3 years informal education experience at a museum, nature center, zoo, or similar institution working with all ages.
• Experience training adults, including coaching experience is essential.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the C3 team to lead the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) Program focusing on implementation of the leader training cohorts, but also contributing to community engagement and ensuring that the program continues to stay up to date and meets its goals.
• Coordinate liaisons for C3 projects and be the lead liaison for unassigned projects.
• Keep detailed records for C3.
• Coordinate with outside partners to implement ongoing museum initiatives.
• Play a key role in implementing in-museum programming. Facilitate specialty programs for onsite and offsite museum events as well as daily museum programming.
• Participate in the training of new facilitators, both staff and volunteers.
• Support volunteers as day-of point of contact and coach.
• Support efforts to make sure that programs reach wide audiences, lowering barriers to access for all guests.
• Collaborate with team members to prototype and refine new and updated museum programs.
• Participate in special Museum-wide events and planning committees when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the teachers, caregivers, students, external partners, and other members of the communities the Nature Museum serves.
• Stay current in best practices for science teaching and learning, environmental education, positive youth development, and museum education in school-based, museum-based, and out-of-school time settings.
• Support family event implementation.
• Complete animal handling training.
• Some weekends and evenings are required.
• Serve on interdepartmental committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and ability to teach science, nature, and environmentally-based content to a diverse population of learners.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and tasks at once.
• Ability to communicate effectively with outside partners, volunteers, and Museum staff.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite, MS Office, and Windows Operating Systems.
• Ability to physically lift, transport, and carry program materials off-site and throughout the Museum.
• Ability to lead activities both indoors and outdoors.
• Comfort handling live animals and non-living specimens.

Nice to have but not required:

• Familiarity with Chicago sustainability community.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a vehicle.
• Bilingual (Spanish).

Salary: $40,000 annually, with benefits package included.

Schedule: Sunday – Thursday

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume at: HR-MPS@naturemuseum.org

No phone calls please. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.

The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups.

Data shows that minority candidates frequently do not apply for a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you!