Education Programs Specialist Jobs

Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Reports to: Education Leadership Team

This position requires a multi-dimensional educator with natural science content knowledge and a passion for teaching. It entails implementation of onsite and offsite science and environmental education programming for a wide variety of audiences varying in ages from pre-K to adults. Program development responsibilities especially curriculum writing and revision are also required. Classroom experience that is transferable to school and community outreach education, teacher professional development, after school programming, and museum settings is essential. This position’s responsibilities include staying current on best practices in education and collaborating with program leads and museum educators across the Education Department to integrate current best practices into all programs.

Minimum Education Required:

• Teaching certification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in science and/or education fields.

Minimum Experience Required:

• Two years teaching experience working in formal K-12 (classroom) setting or informal (museum, zoo, nature preserve) educational setting.
• Experience speaking and writing Spanish a plus.
• Experience teaching or training adults, especially teachers a plus.

Principle Roles and Responsibilities:

• Complete animal handling training.
• Some weekends and evenings are required.
• Communicate to other Nature Museum educators about relevant best practices to strengthen Nature Museum programs for diverse audiences.
• Implement science education and environmental science programs to students and teachers in Chicago area schools, at the Nature Museum, and as community-based programs.
• Maintain, develop, and use administrative operations systems for personal, program, and museum-wide tracking requirements.
• 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.
• Participate in special Museum-wide events and planning committees when appropriate.
• Develop and write curricula for formal and non-formal programs, collaborating with appropriate people.
• Support and lead all regular functions and programming of the Education Department, including program development/curriculum writing, evaluation, and operations.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the teachers, parents, students, external partners, and other members of the communities the Nature Museum serves.

Brief List of Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively with other educators, school administrators, outside partners, volunteers, and Museum staff.
• Ability to lead activities both indoors and outdoors.
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus.
• Knowledge of the K-12 Framework for Science Education, Common Core, and Next Generation Science Standards.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite, MS Office, and Windows Operating Systems.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and tasks at once.
• Ability to physically lift, transport, and carry program materials off-site and throughout the Museum.
• Knowledge of and ability to teach science, nature, and environmentally-based content to a diverse population of learners, including teachers.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a vehicle is required.
• Comfort handling live animals and non-living specimens.

Salary: $41,000 annually, with benefits package included.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume at: https://peggy-notebaert-nature-museum.breezy.hr/p/3fa8cf3fe56b-education-programs-specialist

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 women and 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!