Description of Work
This position provides strategic leadership and planning of the museum’s educational and public programs in support of the Office of Research and Economic Development’s broader impact efforts and the museum’s mission and strategic goals. This leadership includes working with the appropriate Office of Research and Economic Development’s staff and museum director. As a University-based museum, we have a commitment to the University community, acting as a resource for faculty teaching (formal University classes) and providing training in science communication. This position oversees science communication training of faculty, graduate students, undergraduate student interns and volunteers. The museum is a POPNET site (Portal to the Public network) and the ES is responsible for the POPNET workshop trainings of scientists (faculty, students) who are providing museum programming as part of their community engagement, broader impacts activities. The museum provides opportunities for student volunteers and student interns to gain experience in museum careers, as well as science communication experience.
The museum is also core to science literacy initiatives and contributing to workforce development, as an institution focused on STEM content and programming. This position regularly evaluates the impact of the Education Department’s portfolio which includes content delivery in the physical sciences (astronomy, physics, earth sciences), biological sciences (natural history, evolution, genetics) and related museum disciplines (anthropology, engineering, etc). In collaboration with NU faculty experts, he/she will lead the team that conceptualizes, creates and implements new programs and curriculum to support vibrant and growing K12 onsite and distance-learning programs. She/he will also oversee public programs and events (Science Café, Sunday with a Scientist, Investigate, Fossil Night, etc). Prioritization and growth in museum offerings to serve emerging community needs of home-school, after school, and summer school programs is also desired. As appropriate, older curricula and public programs/events will be revised or ended.
In addition to museum education and public programs, this person partners with Exhibits to ensure that permanent and temporary exhibits have appropriate inquiry-based, interactive elements to enhance the visitor experience. He/she provides expert advice and directs implementation of educational components for exhibits in collaboration with the Exhibits Coordinator. This position is responsible for staffing oversight of discovery exhibit gallery areas.
The ES contributes to the effective communication and coordination among museum departments and divisions, which is central to the museum’s success. She/he works with the Planetarium supervisor to ensure this content is integrated into public programs and K-12 offerings. The ES ensures that educational programs and events across the age spectrum are integrated and create an inclusive, welcoming environment for our visitors.
This position is responsible for personnel management and fiscal oversight of the education budget. The ES works closely with the Director and Associate Director to achieve a fiscally sustainable portfolio of programs through earned revenues, philanthropy and grants. He/she works with the chief of communications director to ensure effective marketing and promotion of education events. Some assistance with grant-writing and cultivating donor-relations is expected.
The museum also has a commitment to support the Lincoln and Nebraska STEM community. Strategic partnerships with school districts, other museum and zoo partners, family centers, etc. are considered central to the success of fulfilling the museum’s mission of creating and disseminating knowledge about the natural world.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse populations we serve. The university fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential. As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See: http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.
Minimum Required Qualifications
B.S. or a B.S. with a minor or concentration in the physical, biological or anthropological sciences.
Experience to include:
- Three (3) years of experience training, developing and delivering programs in informal science education settings (museum, science center, 4-H, extension, etc.).
- Two (2) years’ of experience managing budgets, contracts and/or grants.
- Two (2) years’ of experience as a supervisor and managing staff in a museum, science center or other informal science educational setting.
- One (1) year of experience in providing adult education (public programs, college guest lectures/teaching, workshops, etc.).
- One (1) 1 year of experience with digital learning technologies (apps, educational interactives) and/or distance learning technologies (blended learning classrooms, educational websites, green screen programs, live programs, etc.)
- Proven written, verbal, and presentation communication skills. Ability to track and manage budgets, track performance metrics of programs and staff, and generate quarterly reports.
- Demonstrated experience working with curators, faculty or other scientists to create educational programs or products (educational websites, workshops, curricula, etc.).
- Experience assisting with grant-writing, grant-reporting and producing outcomes (programs, publications, workshops, etc.).
- Experience assisting with stakeholder or donor cultivation. Competency in major software packages and database management
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters in museum studies or a science-based discipline (or equivalent certification) or Ph.D. in museum studies or related field.
- Five (5) years’ of experience developing and delivering programs in informal science education settings (museum, science center, 4H, extension).
- Five (5) years of experience managing staff in a museum, science center or other informal science educational setting.
- Three (3) years’ of experience in providing adult education public programs, college guest lectures/teaching, workshops, etc.).
- Three (3) experience with digital learning technologies (apps, educational interactives) and/or distance learning technologies (blended learning classrooms, educational websites, green screen programs, live programs, etc.).
- Four (4) years of experience managing budgets, contracts and/or grants.
- Excellence in written, verbal and oral presentation communication skills.
- Ability to create, track and manage budgets, and generate quarterly reports.
- Create evaluations and track performance metrics of programs and staff, experience with managing and providing for the professional development of staff; provide annual evaluations.
- Demonstrated excellence in working with curators, faculty or other scientists to create educational programs or products (educational websites, workshops, curricula, etc.)
- Experience leading grant-writing, grant-reporting and producing outcomes (programs, publications, workshops, etc.).
- Ability to assist with database creation for internal museum needs, citizen science or other projects.
Apply at: https://employment.unl.
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