Education Programs Specialist

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum seeks an Education Programs Specialist to implement science and environmental education programs for diverse audiences, from pre-K to adults. Responsibilities include program development, curriculum writing, and collaboration with educators. A Bachelor's degree in science or education is required, along with two years of relevant teaching experience. The role involves onsite and offsite activities, requiring some evenings and weekends.
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:Bachelor’s degree in science and/or education fields.Teaching certification preferred. Minimum Experience Required:Two years teaching experience working informal K-12 (classroom) setting or informal (museum, zoo, nature preserve) educational setting. Experience teaching or training adults, especially teachers a plus.Experience speaking and writing Spanish a plus. Principle Roles and Responsibilities:Implement science education and environmental science programs to students and teachers in Chicago area schools, at the Nature Museum, and as community-based programs. Support all regular functions and programming of the Education Department, including program development/curriculum writing, evaluation, and operations. Opportunity to lead individual programs, including program development/curriculum writing, evaluation, and operations, when necessary. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the teachers, parents, 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 settingsCommunicate to other Nature Museum educators about relevant best practices to strengthen Nature Museum programs for diverse audiences.Maintain, develop, and use administrative operations systems for personal, program, and museum-wide tracking requirements.Develop and write curricula for formal and non-formal programs, collaborating with appropriate team members and external partners..Complete animal handling training.Some weekends and evenings are required.Participate in special Museum-wide events and planning committees when appropriate. Brief List of Qualifications:Bilingual (Spanish) a plusKnowledge of the K-12 Framework for Science Education, Common Core, and Next Generation Science Standards.Knowledge of and ability to teach science, nature, and environmentally-based content to a diverse population of learners, including teachers.Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and tasks at once.Ability to communicate effectively with other educators, school administrators, 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.Willingness and ability to lead activities both indoors and outdoors.Comfort handling live animals and non-living specimens.Regular travel to schools and community sites throughout Chicago and Chicagoland region is requiredValid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a vehicle is required.