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.
- Building Operations Manager
- Education Programs Specialist and Camp Director
- Exhibits Project Manager
- Guest Experience Associate (Part Time)
- Independent Contractors
Building Operations Manager
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Reports to: Chief Curator and VP, Museum Experience
Summary of Position:
The Nature Museum prides itself on original, creative, educational exhibits that inspire our visitors to learn more about world around them. Critical to this is the ability to create and maintain a safe, clean and fun environment which our visitors can enjoy. The Building Operations Manager will act as the main museum quality control officer and contact for the facilities maintenance, security contractor and building technical services. The role will also provide critical oversight and support of special events in regard to the planning of facilities porter function and security personnel. This position will work collaboratively across various departments, with internal and external teams, as well as independently. Candidate will possess excellent communication, planning and organizational skills.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Main in-house building operations contact. Coordinates and oversees all services ranging from PM to emergency service. Coordinating external technical vendors, such as but not limited to: elevator services contractor, HVAC contractor, security and Maintenance contractors, roofing contractors.
- Main in-house contact for all building inspections.
- Supervision, monitoring and development of Building Engineer. On a weekly basis maintain and review the “weekly task list” with the Building Engineer updating as required.
- On-boarding and oversight of maintenance and security contractors.
- Supervision of overall condition of ME storage areas, facilities storage, paint room, and AV room.
- Management of loading dock and paver lot to maintain clean and clear of clutter.
- Coordination and assistance with snow removal as required.
- All administrative aspects of building operations such as:
- Processing of building operations purchase orders, including invoice request from all contractors/vendors
- Keep inventory and order all facilities maintenance supplies
- Log all technical activities into the Building Report Entries
- Attending all meetings of Museum Experience Team, internal and external partners as it pertains to special events
- Routinely check functionality of all AV equipment, such as lamps, update software, batteries
- Oversight, implementation and maintaining current best practices of the Emergency Action Plan, including planning of fire drills and specialized security issues.
- Development of cross department initiatives involving building operations such as accessibility and safety concerns.
- Main in-house contact for internal & external special events. Coordinating staff coverage, engineering, facilities, and security. Coordinating room set up and break down. Coordinating and implementing AV set up.
How to Apply:
Please send resume to BuildingManager@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.
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.
Education Programs Specialist and Camp Director
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Reports to: Education Leadership Team
Summary of Position:
This position requires a multi-dimensional educator with natural science content knowledge and a passion for teaching in both out-of-school time (OST) and formal education settings. It entails the development and 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.
As one of two Camp Directors, this position hires, trains, and supervises between 10-20 seasonal staff members (camp counselors) each year—predominantly consisting of teens and young adults—in a 2 week environmental education youth development training program. Camp Directors oversee development, operations, implementation and evaluation of 8 weeks of summer camp for 4-11 year olds and one week of winter camp, and leadership experience in out-of-school time education is essential.
Education experience that is transferable to school and community outreach education, teacher professional development, after school programming, and museum settings is pivotal. This position’s responsibilities include staying current on best practices in environmental education and child-led play and collaborating with program leads and museum educators across the Education Department to integrate current best practices across programs. This position also provides primary support for the sharing of cross-program knowledge around outdoor learning.
Principle Duties & 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, evaluation, and operations.
- 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—and communicate to other Nature Museum educators about—best practices for environmental education, outdoor learning, child-led play, and camp industry practices.
- Lead a collaborative development process for Summer and Winter Camp which include: sharing ideas and creating and editing written materials for camp staff, families, and campers.
- Oversee program-wide operations including: creating systems and tools, collaborating with marketing to drive recruitment and registration, and managing a program budget including meeting revenue goals and managing expenses.
- Support the sharing of cross-programming knowledge, including lessons, development procedures/systems, approaches, and content.
- Develop and write curricula for formal/school-based and non-formal (OST) education programs, collaborating with appropriate people.
- Maintain administrative operations and records related to all aspects of camps programs.
- Complete animal handling training.
- Some weekends and evenings are required.
- Participate in special Museum-wide events and planning committees when appropriate.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in science and/or education fields.
- Three years teaching experience working in formal K-12 (classroom) setting or informal (museum, zoo, nature preserve) educational setting strongly preferred.
- Experience managing and training a team.
- Experience teaching or training adults, especially teachers, is a plus.
- Teaching certification is a plus.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification is a plus, but certification class will be offered
- An enthusiasm for engaging children with nature.
- 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, families, teens and young adults, volunteers, and Museum staff.
- Working knowledge of MS Office, Google Suite, and Windows XP.
- Ability to physically lift, transport, and carry program materials off-site and throughout the Museum.
- Ability to lead activities both indoors and outdoors.
- Comfort handling live animals and non-living specimens.
- Bilingual (Spanish) a plus.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required.
Compensation: $42,000/ year
How to Apply:
Please send resume and cover letter to edjob1@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.
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.
Exhibits Project Manager
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Reports to: Chief Curator of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum / Vice President of Museum Experience
The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum prides itself on original, creative, educational exhibitions that inspire our visitors to learn more about the natural world around them. The Exhibits Project Manager will take the lead on our temporary leased exhibits, and assist the Exhibits team on temporary in-house and permanent exhibitions.
This full-time role will act in many facets of exhibition creation, from developing and supervising schedules and budgets, assisting in concept development, prototyping and installation. This position collaborates extensively with content experts, scientists, artists, collections managers, educators and designers for the research, development, and interpretation of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Acts as Project Manager for temporary exhibits projects:
- Research and compile leased exhibition possibilities.
- Serve as primary contact for communicating with institutions for leased exhibitions.
- Create and maintain overall temporary exhibit project schedule and budget.
- Oversee and track exhibit production progress as pertains to schedule
- Report on the incoming and outgoing conditions of leased exhibit elements
- Collate, track and report budget for temporary exhibits and department expenditures.
- Research, write and edit exhibit labels, visitor collateral, and other exhibition interpretation materials for smaller temporary exhibits
- Act as a vital Exhibits team member for in-house and permanent exhibitions
- Process, document and report project and departmental expenditures.
- Assists in the development of original content for temporary and permanent exhibits.
- Conduct primary topic research and help develop Content Resource Documents for in-house exhibits.
- Research and aid in development of exhibit interactives.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in exhibition development.
- Experience in interactive development and prototyping
- Proven ability to communicate complex ideas with a wide range of audiences
- Extensive research, writing and copy editing experience
- Experience managing budgets, contracts and working within tight deadlines
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and a basic understanding of VectorWorks and AutoCAD a plus
- Experience in digital interpretation, development and initiatives a plus
- Demonstrated commitment to nature, conservation, and community improvement.
Education: Bachelor’s degree (MA preferred) in museum education, environmental education, anthropology or related field, or equivalent
Salary Range: Based on experience and qualifications.
How to Apply:
Please send resume and cover letter to HR-ExhibitsPM@naturemuseum.org.
Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No phone 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.
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.
Guest Experience Associate (Part Time)
Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Guest Experience Associate is a multi-faceted position that requires an energetic and welcoming individual who thrives 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.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- 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 Judy Istock Butterfly Haven (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 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.
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.
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.
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.
