Founded in 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is Chicago’s oldest museum with the newest building. For more than 160 years, the Nature Museum has been dedicated to educating Chicagoans about nature and science.
Today, the Nature Museum distinguishes itself by providing more hands-on science instruction than any other museum in Chicago, and by the opportunities it provides for visitors to experience nature up close in exhibits such as its iconic Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. The Nature Museum also focuses on research, conservation and education about nature in the Midwest through participatory exhibits and programs, educational outreach, and ongoing scientific activity. Thank you for your interest in opportunities at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. All current opportunities are listed below. If there are no current positions listed, please check back often as we post job openings as they become vacant.
- Coordinator, External Affairs
- Exhibit Fabricator
- Guest Ambassador Coordinator
- Guest Experience Associate
- Independent Contractors
- Marketing Manager
- Specimen Preparator (Part-Time, Temporary)
Coordinator, External Affairs
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the External Affairs department in fundraising, membership and marketing activities. The ideal candidate will appreciate the opportunity to work both independently and as part of a team; and to be involved in supporting the important work of promoting and advancing our mission as the urban gateway to nature and science. This position will utilize your passion for data integrity, strong communication skills, ability to meet tight deadlines, and commitment to detail.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Maintaining the Nature Museum’s Donor Database including:
- Entering all donations in Raiser’s Edge (RE) and maintaining consistent data formats.
- Processing all donations.
- Coding donations, filling out Revenue Classification Forms, and working with accounting to process all payments.
- Generating segmented database queries for fundraising team, including annual report donor listing.
- Reconciling reports with Finance, monthly.
- Ensuring all acknowledgements are prepared, signed, copied, mailed, and filed.
- Maintaining donor files.
- Supporting membership recruitment activities including:
- Processing and renewing memberships.
- Tracking all membership numbers.
- Tracking attendance and donations.
- Sending weekly report of attendance, membership, and donations.
- Coordinating Ticketure and Raisers Edge dual-system membership entry.
- Processing all gift memberships.
- Handling all inquiries from Members and Prospects.
- Coordinating membership promotion with Guest Experience team.
- Supporting Butterfly Ball fundraising efforts
- Tracking all gifts and pledges, including handling invoicing, gift processing, acknowledgements and recognition lists
- Coordinating all permits with Chicago Park District
- Maintaining and tracking Butterfly Ball database
- Monitoring mail for checks and other donations.
- Providing Marketing support for the Museum:
- Updating calendar listings on a variety of web sites and media outlets.
- Providing support for marketing events and promotions.
- Overseeing donation of museum services to other charitable organizations.
- Participating in support and development of other museum events and fundraisers, including the Butterfly Ball.
- Assisting in other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.
- Experience with Ticketure helpful.
- Strong communications skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent project management and prioritizing skills.
This position includes a comprehensive benefits package. The Nature Museum is located at Fullerton and Lake Shore Drive in Lincoln Park.
How to Apply:
Please send resume to HR-EACoord@naturemuseum.org. No phone calls please. Qualified applicants 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.
Exhibit Fabricator
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is seeking a full-time Exhibit Fabricator to assist with the creation of new environments and displays and maintain the overall look and function of all museum exhibits. The Exhibit Fabricator will be part of a team that produces world class exhibits and experiences. The candidate must have strong fabrication, design, and visualization ability.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Engineering and fabrication of in- house temporary and permanent exhibits.
- Sourcing and ordering materials and supplies from new and established vendors
- Installation of leased exhibits
- Installation of flat artwork using museum standard practices.
- Lighting of 2D and 3D displays.
- Maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of 2D and 3D displays.
- One weekend day and occasional evening hours will be required
Qualifications:
- Must possess exceptionally strong design, construction and fabrication skills including woodworking, metalworking and mold making.
- Must have at least 5 years experience in exhibit /display design and fabrication.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Must have the ability to lift up to 60lbs and be comfortable working at elevated heights.
- Desire and ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
- Proficient in the use of hand and power tools and equipment.
- Knowledge of mechanical, electronic and audio visual equipment.
- Must be able to read construction documents and blueprints
- Proficiency in industry standard CAD software such as Vectorworks, AutoCAD or SketchUP a plus.
- Previous experience in interactive prototyping a plus.
- A demonstrated commitment to nature, conservation, and community improvement.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience.
How to Apply:
Please send a resume and a cover letter in PDF format to ExhibitTech240@naturemuseum.org.
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.
Guest Ambassador Coordinator
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Guest Ambassador Coordinator role is a full-time position within the Guest Experience and Engagement department. This role is a multi-faceted position that requires an energetic and welcoming individual who thrives on working in a team environment and can also work individually with little to no supervision while providing the Nature Museum’s visitors and guests a dynamic experience during their visit to the Museum. This is a guest engagement and customer service-focused position. It requires small-group leadership expertise when working and leading volunteer shifts, and it also requires customer service experience to aid in all customer-facing positions within the museum. A flexible, adaptable and enthusiastic mindset is critical to work with a diverse audience of both guests and volunteers. A coach-like attitude is necessary to lead volunteer shifts in interpretive programming. Excellent customer service for guests throughout the building is critical.
Desired Experience & Education:
- Candidates must have previous experience with interpretation and familiar with NAI standards and trainings.
- Previous customer service experience at a cultural institution such as a museum, art gallery, or theater.
- Relevant higher education experience preferred but not required. Past leadership experience is a plus.
- A focused, attentive, and curious attitude to foster an enriching atmosphere for both guests and volunteers is vital.
Position Requirements & Duties:
- Facilitate interpretive programs in the museum’s exhibits, virtually and out in communities across Chicago for audiences of all ages and backgrounds
- Handle live animals including snakes, turtles, and invertebrates in front of a public audience
- Assist with other programs, workshops and events
- Provide excellent customer service by centering diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and equity into each interaction
- Greet and process Museum visitors at the front desk
- Sell memberships
- Work the register in the Museum Store selling items
- Stocking, cleaning, and organizing the Museum Store
- Monitor our Butterfly Haven
- Work the coat check window
- Assist with school group processing
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and holidays, opening and closing shifts
- Other duties as assigned
Compensation: This is a full-time, permanent, non-exempt position with benefits. This role is 60% customer service and 40% program facilitation and pays an hourly rate of $15.50.
How to Apply:
Please send resume and cover letter to hr-gacoordinator@naturemuseum.org
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.
Guest Experience Associate (Part-Time)
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Status: Part-Time
Reports to: Senior Director of Guest Experience and Engagement
The Guest Experience Associate is a multi-faceted position that requires an energetic and welcoming individual who thrives to work in a team environment providing The Nature Museum’s visitors and guests a dynamic experience during their visit to the Museum.
Desired Experience & Education:
Previous customer service experience at a cultural institution such as a museum, art gallery, or theater. Relevant higher education experience preferred but not required.
Position Requirements & 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.
- Support Daily and Special Event program facilitation.
- 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
- Other customer service related duties as assigned
Compensation: This role is a part-time non-exempt position ranging 15-25 hours per week and pays an hourly rate of $15 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 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.
Independent Contractors
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 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 2nd 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 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.
Marketing Manager
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Marketing Manager, reporting to the Vice President, External Affairs, leads the marketing and promotional activities for the Museum – the 6th most visited Museum in Chicago! This is an outstanding opportunity to join the city’s oldest museum, with the newest building, advancing the museum – its programs, exhibitions, events and partnerships.
Responsibilities:
- Acts as a central strategist, developing targeted marketing and promotional campaigns, and advancing the brand awareness of the Museum and its programs and exhibits.
- Executes comprehensive marketing and promotion plans for key exhibits, programs and activities, along with major fundraising efforts and Museum-wide initiatives. Integrates PR, social media, advocacy and promotions into supporting programs and events.
- Provides support in strategy and execution of the digital delivery of programming, content and engagement. This includes developing concepts for digital programming (particularly our Curious by Nature YouTube Channel programming), preparing scripts, filming, and postproduction editing and support.
- Identifies sponsorship opportunities—for exhibits, programs, and events—and prepares materials and sponsorship proposals for donor solicitations. Works closely with sponsors to assure all sponsor benefits are delivered and to jointly market and promote exhibits and programs.
- Works with outside partners including advertising and public relations agencies to increase awareness, attendance and membership and to advance our mission and brand.
- Works closely in with marketing team members to develop materials, content, and strategies which support our programs, events, and initiatives.
- Works with volunteers and board leadership on key Museum projects, priorities, and goals.
Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required:
- A Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or related discipline with measurable experience in marketing or a related field.
- Experience in a museum or art related environment, a plus.
- A high energy, action-oriented, hands-on, and talented individual who thinks both strategically and executes effectively.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience working with a creative team; ability to build and maintain strong internal relationships within a diverse institutional environment; ability to meet deadlines and prioritize to manage multiple projects and meet multiple deadlines at once.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in sales and strong interpersonal and persuasion skills.
Work in our Lincoln Park location; strong benefits package.
How to Apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to: HR-marketingjob@naturemuseum.org
Qualified candidates will be contacted. No calls, please.
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.
Specimen Preparator (Part-Time, Temporary)
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum seeks a creative individual with an interest in natural history collections, engaging the public, and experience in taxidermy to join its Collections team as a Specimen Preparator. Reporting to the Senior Director of Collections, the Specimen Preparator is responsible for preparation of zoological specimens for the institution’s scientific and teaching collections, maintaining the Beecher Preparation Lab, supervising preparation volunteers, and supporting departmental activities.
This position is stationed at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park, working primarily in the Beecher Lab, a specimen preparation lab within an exhibit gallery where science and education go hand in hand. Staff and volunteers working in the Beecher Lab conduct specimen preparation and repair in view of museum visitors and regularly engage visitors about their projects. This position may also conduct occasional work at the off-site collections facility in the Ravenswood neighborhood. Regular schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Responsibilities:
- Independently plan and conduct taxidermy to prepare zoological specimens for the scientific and teaching collections. Specimens (mostly birds and small mammals) will be primarily prepared as study skins, skeletal elements, and parts, such as isolated spread wings, and occasionally as mounted specimens.
- Maintain accurate control of specimen data during processing and preservation work. Record data in online data staging system and update specimen records in our online collections management system, Arctos (http://arctos.database.museum/).
- Assist with the supervision and mentorship of preparation volunteers in the lab. Train volunteers on new projects and provide regular review of their work.
- Repair of historic specimens and applying museum preservation standards.
- Create habitat bases for existing mounted specimens in the collection.
- Engage visitors about specimen preparation, preservation, and natural history collections.
- Assist with ongoing integrated pest management at the museum.
- Contribute content to and occasionally participate in museum programs and events.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of taxidermy processes and experience in taxidermy, particularly birds.
- Practical experience in repair and preservation of historical specimens.
- Knowledge of the anatomy and morphology of vertebrates, particularly birds, as well as general species knowledge.
- Familiarity with natural history collections, including their use, standards, and laws, is beneficial.
- Good organizational skills; strong attention to detail; reliable; and effective time management skills.
- Possess good communication skills, both written and oral.
- Must have good interpersonal skills and work well with other staff, volunteers, and visitors.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Comfortable working with computers and learning new computer software and equipment.
- Good dexterity and physical coordination, ability to handle fragile objects.
Compensation: This is a part-time (15 hours per week), temporary position, funded until June 30, 2022. Compensation is $18.00 per hour.
How To Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter in PDF format, as well as images of your taxidermy work as examples, to: hr-specprep2021@naturemuseum.org. 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.
