Education Specialist - Museum jobs in Kansas

The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute (BI), on the Lawrence campus, is one of the premier research and education institutes in the U.S. in biodiversity science, biodiversity informatics, paleobiology, biogeography, and evolutionary biology. The KU Natural History Museum is the iconic public face of the BI with 50,000 square feet of exhibits and serves public audiences including K-12 schools, families and adults, university groups, and the informal science education community. The museum receives about 30,000 visitors each year including 10,000 K-12 students and reaches more than 10,000 participants through onsite/offsite education and outreach programs for schools, families, adults, and other groups. In addition, the informal science education department (education, outreach, exhibits) leads and collaborates on education grant projects as well as supporting broader impacts components on other projects.

The University of Kansas Natural History Museum educates diverse audiences about natural history, evolutionary biology, and other science topics through engaging and innovative exhibits, and informal science education programming and projects. The museum seeks a part-time limited term education assistant to support education, outreach, and exhibits. The education assistant’s responsibilities include assisting with education programs and outreach activities, including grant funded projects, and providing support for exhibit development - such as trial testing components and conducting background research. This person should be creative, enthusiastic, and curious about science and natural history, comfortable presenting complex content, and have excellent communication and organizational skills.

This is an hourly, part-time, limited term position through July, 2025 with benefits. Position is on-site on the Lawrence, KS campus.

70% - Support education programs and outreach activities for schools, youth, and other groups

• Assist with education programs (e.g., schools, summer camps) including teaching some components.
• Facilitate outreach activities with families, youth, and other groups.
• Conduct trial testing of education/outreach program components with visitors.
• Communicate scientific principles in an accurate and engaging way.
• Facilitate positive science learning experiences for students, teachers, youth, and family groups.

15% - Support exhibit development

• Conduct trial testing of exhibit components with visitors.
• Fact check and conduct content background research.

15% - Programming preparation and administration, and other related duties

• Set up and clean-up of programming materials and prepare supplies as needed.
• Assist with organization and administration (e.g., planning, scheduling, purchasing supplies).
• Other related duties as assigned.

• Occasional travel to programming sites is necessary.
• Reach, grasp, hold and lift up to 50lbs with or without accommodation.
• Must have a valid drivers’ license by the time of hire and maintain that license throughout employment.
• Will work occasionally in outdoor weather conditions (e.g., summer field camps).
• May operate mechanical equipment such as hand tools and lift gates on vehicles.

Work schedule: 20 hours per week, schedule is flexible with regular hours between 9am and 3pm Tuesday through Friday that will be adjusted for some required weekend and evening work to support programming (1 or 2 times per month).

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

• Bachelor’s degree in science or a related field such as biological sciences, earth sciences, physical sciences, science education, museum studies, science communication.
• Minimum of 1-year professional teaching/facilitation experience in a science education or outreach setting.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently.
• Experience using information technology for both research and teaching purposes (e.g., demonstrated experience with online research tools; familiar with Microsoft Office suite)

In addition to the online application, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter summarizing your interest in this position and how you meet the qualifications.
• CV/resume with details of your experience.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review will begin on March 27th and will continue until a qualified candidate is hired.

Dr. Teresa MacDonald, tmacd@ku.edu

$21.15 - $24.03/hr

20 hours per week, schedule is flexible with regular hours between 9am and 3pm Tuesday through Friday that will be adjusted for some required weekend and evening work to support programming (1 or 2 times per month).

27-Mar-2023

08-May-2023