Education Programs Specialist and Camp Director

https://naturemuseum.org/about-us/jobs-internships-volunteering

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 4-9 year olds and one to two week(s) of winter camp, and leadership experience in out-of-school time education is essential. 

Education Programs Specialist and Camp Director

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 4-9 year olds and one to two week(s) 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.
• Leads 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: $45,000/ year

How to Apply: Please send resume to HR-EduPrograms@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.