Jobs, Internships, Volunteering

Status: Full Time

Position Summary:
 

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 settings
• Communicate 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 plus
• Knowledge 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 required
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a vehicle is required.  

Compensation: $45,643/ year

Please note that this is a union job position.
 

To apply: 

Email resume and cover letter to: 

HR-EduPrograms@naturemuseum.org

Please include “Education Programs Specialist 2025” in the subject line.

No phone calls please.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted. 
 

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.

Status: Part-Time
Pay Rate: $16.20

The Guest Experience Associate is a multi-faceted position that requires an energetic and welcoming individual who thrives in a team environment. The Nature Museum’s Guest Experience Associates provide guests with a dynamic experience during their visit to the Museum.

Desired Experience:
Previous customer service experience at a cultural institution such as a museum, art gallery, or theater.

Position Requirements and Duties:

• Professional and engaging personality that promotes a spirit of positivity to guests and fellow teammates.
• Providing excellent customer service by centering diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and equity into each interaction
• Greeting guests, processing Museum visitor admission tickets and selling memberships.
• Working the register in the store selling items. As well as stocking, cleaning, and organizing the Museum Store.
• Monitoring our Butterfly Haven Exhibit (special training provided).
• Working the coat check window.
• Assisting with school group processing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Participating in on site and virtual training pertaining to Museum-relevant subjects
• Other customer service related duties as assigned

How to Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to hr-geassociate@naturemuseum.org

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

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is hiring independent contractors to install and dismantle temporary exhibitions in the Special Exhibitions Gallery and for other events during the year on a temporary basis- generally winter, late spring, and early fall.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Requirements vary for each exhibition. Most contractors will be required, under direction of the Exhibit Production Supervisor and/or the Lead Exhibit Fabricator to:

• Assist in preparing the gallery (including new construction, and repainting).
• Assist the forklift operator loading and unloading trucks at the dock.
• Handle crates to and from the dock, the freight elevator and the 2^nd floor gallery.
• Pack and unpack exhibit components and move empty crates to and from storage.
• Distribute and assemble or disassemble components per provided instructions and drawings.
• Assist in hanging, moving, and focusing lighting instruments in the gallery.
• Clear and clean the gallery and the exhibition in preparation for opening.
• Ability to lift and hold up to 60 lbs.
• Familiarity with the safe use of hand and power tools, dock equipment and personal protective gear, and general carpentry/assembly experience are preferred.
• A positive attitude toward the work and the exhibition team, pleasant and professional conduct toward all museum staff and visitors, and self-motivation to complete assigned tasks are required.

Compensation: Compensation starts at $15 per hour working 6-10 hours per day.

Some evenings and/or weekends are required.

How to Apply:

Please send resume to CAScontractor@naturemuseum.org

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

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences 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.

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.

Status: Part-Time

The Lead Guest Experience Associate is a multi-faceted position that requires an energetic and welcoming individual who thrives in a team environment. As part of the Nature Museum’s Guest Experience Team, this position provides guests with a dynamic experience during their visit to the Museum as well as supporting front-line staff. The Lead Guest Experience Associate acts as the Floor Supervisor 1-2 days per week. Floor supervision includes being the point person for Guest Experience and Engagement front-line staff, museum Emergency Response Coordinator, and coordination of group processing. Though this position has no direct reports, they will coach staff as needed.

Desired Experience: Previous customer service experience at a cultural institution such as a museum, art gallery, or theater. Supervisory experience preferred.

Position Requirements and Duties:

• Professional and engaging personality that promotes positive guest interactions and a supportive team environment.
• Strong professional communication skills with other staff members as well as guests.
• Providing excellent customer service by centering diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion into each interaction
• Greeting guests, processing Museum visitor admission tickets, and selling memberships.
• Working the register in the store selling items. As well as stocking, cleaning, and organizing the Museum Store.
• Monitoring our Butterfly Haven Exhibit (special training provided).
• Working the coat check window.
• Assisting with school group processing.
• Effectively supervise the floor of the museum during daily operations 1-2 days a week as needed. This includes daily staff management, day-of oversight of ticketing system and store point of sale, fielding guest feedback, communicating with facilities, security, and exhibits team members and other troubleshooting.
• Support museum special events, and private events including birthdays as needed.
• Providing detailed written updates to other floor supervisors.
• Ability to respond as the Emergency Response Coordinator while operating as floor supervisor. First aid training will be provided.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays, opening and closing shifts.
• Participating in on site and virtual training pertaining to Museum-relevant subjects.
• Open and close the museum including taking out and putting away cash drawers.
• Other customer service related duties as assigned

Compensation: This role is a part-time, non-exempt position, paying an hourly rate of $17.20 per hour.

How to Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to hr-geassociate@naturemuseum.org

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

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Status:  Full Time

Position Summary:  

The Student Programs Manager has primary oversight of the development and implementation of Nature Museum programming designed for students. This includes our largest student programs, Field Trip Workshops, afterschool programming, and Nature on the Go. It also includes leading the department in expertise on the focused educational uses of the Nature Museum’s exhibits and grounds.
 

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Degree in science and/or education related fields or equivalent leadership experience 
• Teaching Certification or other education field certification a plus
• Three years experience in a formal (classroom) or informal (museum, zoo, nature preserve) educational setting is strongly preferred.
   

Principle Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement innovative programs at the Museum and offsite for students, working closely with schools and educational partners to address the needs of students, educators, and administrators
• Evaluate existing and new student programs to revise, improve, and maintain program quality, aligned with the Museum’s mission.
• Collaborate with the Education Team to integrate best practices in science education across programs. 
• Coordinate, train, and collaborate with all Education staff to ensure high quality student programming. 
• Coordinate and manage the staffing of student programs and workshops along with the Education LeadershipTeam.
• Maintain strong connections to the Museum’s scientific initiatives across all student programs.
• Guide the focused educational uses of Museum exhibits and grounds across Education programming.
• Maintain all records and budgets related to student programs including program metrics and evaluation data.
• Foster opportunities and partnerships that promote the Museum’s mission and reach new audiences.
• Support all regular functions and programming of the Education Department.
• Collaborate with Guest Experience and Engagement to ensure high-quality field trip experiences for visiting groups.
• Monitor and maintain the condition of the Science Labs as the Museum’s primary year-round education space.
• Some weekends and evenings are required.
• Participate in special Museum-wide events and planning committees when appropriate. 
• Complete animal handling training and handle live animals and non-living specimens. 
   

Brief List of Qualifications:

• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus.
• Knowledge of Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, and science/nature content.
• Excitement and ability to teach science and nature content to a diverse population of learners.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and tasks at once.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, school and community partners, other Education and Museum staff.
• 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.
• Working knowledge of Google Suite, MS Office, and Windows Operating Systems.
• Comfort handling live animals and non-living specimens.
• Regular travel to schools and community sites throughout Chicago and Chicagoland region is required
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and access to a vehicle is required.  
   

Compensation: $51,168/ year 

Please note that this is a union job position.
 

To apply: 

Email resume and cover letter to: 

HR-EduPrograms@naturemuseum.org

Please include “Student Programs Manager” in the subject line.
 

No phone calls please.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted. 
 

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.