Museum Education Specialist (Part-Time)

Biodiversity Institute

Position Overview
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 specialist to support education, outreach, and
exhibits. The education specialist’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 a hourly, half-time, limited term position through to August 2025 located
in Lawrence, KS with benefits.

Job Description
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.

Position
Requirements

1. Occasional travel to programming sites is necessary.
2. Reach, grasp, hold and lift up to 50lbs with or
   without accommodation.
3. Must have a valid drivers’ license by the time of hire and maintain that license throughout
   employment.
4. Will work occasionally in outdoor weather conditions (e.g., off trail in prairie, forest, mud and water with ticks,
   insects and other wildlife for summer field camps).
5. 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).

Required Qualifications
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.

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

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree or higher in science or a related field such as biological
   sciences, earth science, physical sciences, science education, museum studies, science communication.
2. 3+ years professional
   teaching/facilitation experience in a science education or outreach setting.
3. Professional experience at a natural history museum,
   science museum, or similar setting.
4. Experience in education program development.
5. Background in more than one area of science
   (e.g., knowledge, courses, experience.)
6. Experience working with diverse groups of visitors in an educational
   setting.

Contact Information to Applicants
Dr. Teresa MacDonald,
tmacd@ku.edu

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

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

Only complete applications will be
considered.

Application review will begin on August 1, 2023 and will continue until a qualified candidate is
hired. 

Advertised Salary Range: $21.15 – $24.04/hr

Application Review Begins:
01-Aug-2023

Anticipated Start Date: 21-Aug-2023

Primary Campus
University of
Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE: .50

Reg/Temp: Regular

FLSA
Status
Nonexempt

Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff

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).

Job
Family
EducationalSuport&Delivery-KUL

Conditions of Employment
Limited Term

Work Location Assignment
On-Site

Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability status as a veteran, sexual
orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and
activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding
the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Civil Rights &
Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue,
Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity
Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City,
Kansas medical center campuses).