Bell Museum Part Time Museum Educator

The Museum Educator position supports the mission of the Bell Museum by delivering innovative, interdisciplinary science content for diverse audiences, mostly for students in grades K-12, during field trips. Additional responsibilities of this position include materials management, on-site preparation, conducting the logistics of the day, and contributing to programs maintenance and improvement.

This position works collaboratively with other members of the education team to provide engaging, memorable, and effective experiences for youth. They are a strong advocate for science education. The person in this position will also support other aspects of the on-site visitor experience including summer/community groups and other museum visitors. This position directly reports to the School Programs Coordinator and is a member of the Education Programs team; this team sits within the larger Public Engagement and Science Learning team (PESL), which is responsible for onsite K-12 science education, planetarium shows and astronomy programming, exhibits and gallery programs, and public programming. The position will collaborate with other teams across the Bell on program operations and delivery.

This is a 50% time position, working 20 hours a week. This position is a school year appointment, with possibility for renewal.

Working hours

This is a 50% time appointment. Generally, 4 to 8 hour shifts between the hours of 8:00am - 4:00pm on Tuesday- Friday, (20 hours per week) with occasional evening and weekend work, as assigned (approximately 6 evenings or weekend days per year),

Working location

This position is primarily in-person at the Bell Museum, UMN St Paul Campus with occasional work off-site for events/outreach.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages)

School Programs Preparation and Delivery (80%)

• Create, foster, and maintain a welcoming and inclusive environment for all program participants, museum visitors, and staff.
• Prepare materials (signs, passes, bins, discovery journals, etc.) before groups' arrival, for use during their experiences, and distribution upon departure.
• Prepare classrooms for labs, set-up table/chairs, lab materials and technology.
• Greet teachers, chaperones, and students, and direct students groups through the museum.
• Troubleshoot any early/late group arrivals according to established procedures or escalate complex issues to Bell staff as appropriate.
• Introduce and reinforce behavior guidelines during the visit.
• Deliver STEM-based learning labs for K-8 grade students spanning a wide range of science content from life, Earth, and space sciences. Lead up to 4 inquiry-based, hands-on, science lab experiences per day.
• Adjust program delivery to engage a range of diverse learners and encourage participation through the use of a variety of teaching techniques and skills.

Support of Public Engagement and Science Learning (PESL) Programs (15%)

• Under supervision of School Programs Coordinator, and guidance of the Education Programs Manager, contribute to the updating and revision of education programs by participating in activities such as troubleshooting, providing feedback, and testing new materials.
• Inventory, organize, and maintain materials required for school groups and labs.
• Step in to support PESL programs on the museum floor, in classrooms, and off-site outreach venues as needed, including the delivery of public programs and participation in special event programming.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• This might include attending staff/project meetings, assisting other departments, and working on projects.

Required Qualifications

• BA or BS in science or education or related field with at least 2 years of experience, or 6 years combined related education and work experience
• Proven experience working with culturally and age-diverse populations
• Flexible schedule with daytime availability, within the hours of Tuesday-Friday 8am-2pm
• Ability to commit to a 9 - 10 month appointment
• Demonstrated ability to create a welcoming and positive atmosphere for all program participants, staff, volunteers, general public, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years' experience working with K-12 youth in a formal, non-formal, or museum educational setting.
• Knowledge of best practices in informal science education and inquiry-based learning
• Formal education or experience in science and STEM curriculum delivery and program implementation, with demonstrated track record of excellence in teaching
• Creative, enthusiastic, and thrives working in a team setting
• Ability to be flexible, dependable, adaptable, and have a sense of humor in a high stress, fast-paced environment
• Occasional weekend/ evening availability for outreach events

The mission of the museum is to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe. The Bell envisions a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science.
For over 150 years, the Bell Museum has collected, preserved, interpreted, and displayed the natural history of Minnesota as the state's official natural history museum. The Bell preserves and interprets our state's rich natural history and serves learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe.

The museum is powered by the great minds on campus-from our faculty-curators, student lab assistants, and undergraduate interpretive guides, to our dedicated staff and collegiate partners.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired by our mission to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe and achieve our vision of a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates who reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

Pay Range: $21.53- $22.08 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 50% time, 12-month

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please upload a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter is the key component of your application. It should disc'/uss your central qualifications and relevant experience as it is related to the required and preferred qualifications for this job posting.

Applications are due by August 14, 2025. Anticipated start for this position is September, 2025

Questions about the position can be directed to Kate Sigurdson, ksigurds@umn.edu.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).