Position Overview

The University of Kansas Natural History Museum s extensive informal science education programs advance science education and literacy by informing and inspiring visitors about natural history, evolutionary biology, and other science topics. The museum seeks an experienced museum educator for a small department to plan and implement a range of science education programs and services. The museum education coordinator s responsibilities include teaching, program research, development, implementation and administration, and support of challenging and engaging science programs.


Job Description

35% - Teaching educational programs for public and school groups:

• Communicate scientific principles in an accurate and engaging way.
• Facilitate positive science experiences and exploration by students, teachers and family groups.
• Modify approach as appropriate to individuals and groups (e.g. age or developmental levels, socio-economic groups, etc.).

35% - Research, develop and implement new public education materials:

• Research, review and synthesize science content and liaise with relevant scientists.
• Consult relevant learning research to inform program development.
• Formulate creative approaches and activities appropriate to target audiences.
• Prototype and trial-test instructional material and methods for effectiveness.
• Lead program evaluation and revise materials for effectiveness.
• Create educational materials and experiences for grant projects.

20% - Supervision, Management and Administration:

• Recruit, supervise and train student staff, e.g. coordinate searches, produce schedule of work for ongoing projects, monitor performance and provide feedback, approve hours.
• Organize and lead summer camps.
• Organize/Co-organize all aspects of education program administration (e.g. planning, scheduling, budgets, reports, presentations).
• Assist associate director of public programs in operation of office, budget preparation and tracking, promotion and evaluation of programs, reports, and managing physical facility.

10% - Other related duties:

• Provide support for exhibits, e.g. content development, label writing, editing and review.
• Serve as a team member on a variety of educational and other public programs initiatives. Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

The following requirements may be evidenced by information provided in the 1) application materials, 2) work history, 3) relevant education, 4) record of accomplishments, and 5) references:

Master's degree in science or a related field such as biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, science education, museum studies, science communication, OR Bachelor's degree and three years of experience in any of the areas listed above.

Demonstrated 1 year professional teaching experience in a science education setting (e.g. employed as an educator/instructor to teach science programs).

Demonstrated experience in program development, (e.g. researching and prototyping new education materials).

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of informal science education (e.g. familiar with relevant principles, literature, organizations, etc.; aware of trends in science and topics in the news).

Strong communication skills, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and demonstrated experience working independently (e.g. examples of independent projects; project coordination; presentations and reports; experience with departmental administration and logistical tasks).

Competence using information technology for both research and teaching purposes (e.g. demonstrated experience with online research tools; Microsoft Office products (i.e. Word, Excel).

Evidence of experience training others and troubleshooting/problem solving tasks.

Position Requirements
Physical Requirements: standing, sitting, talking, seeing, hearing, feeling attributes of objects, walking (including over uneven ground and into water), grasping, pushing, reaching with hands/arms, driving, stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, crawling, climbing and balancing, repetitive wrist hand and/or finger movement, operate mechanical equipment, moving up and down from/to sitting position on the floor, lifting up to 50lbs independently.
Other: valid drivers' license; research, reading and writing.


Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree or higher in science or a related field such as biological sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, science education, museum studies, science communication.

Background in more than one area of science (e.g. knowledge, courses or experience in life sciences, physical sciences, earth and environmental sciences).

3+ years professional teaching experience in a science education setting

Professional experience at a natural history museum, science museum, science center or equivalent.

Experience working in a cross-disciplinary environment (e.g. experience with interdepartmental projects or working across varied content areas and management levels).

Experience working with diverse groups of visitors in an educational setting (e.g. age, knowledge and ability level, cross-cultural).

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