Part-Time Planetarium Educator

Appointment: 40% FTE, 16 hours per week

Work Location: 100% in person at the Bell Museum, UMN St Paul Campus

Work Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:45 am – 3:15 pm, with occasional weekends and evenings. 

The purpose of the Planetarium Educator position is to implement astronomy educational programming to diverse school and public audiences. The position will assist the planetarium and group reservations staff in logistical aspects of programming, including materials and technology management and on-site preparation.

Astronomy Programs Delivery (85%)

• Deliver programming that engages a diverse range of learners and encourages participation through the use of a variety of teaching techniques.
  o    Present on-site planetarium programs for school and public audiences as needed.
  o    Assist with virtual and on-site observing programs as needed.
• Present from the planetarium located in the Bell Museum.
• Assist in visit preparation and other logistics for education programs.
• Participate in editing and/or program development collaborations.
• Mentor Planetarium Guide staff in a variety of museum responsibilities and planetarium techniques.

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

• Step in to support PESL and planetarium programs at the museum and offsite outreach venues as needed, including the delivery of programs and participation in special event programming.

Working Hours:

• Must be available to work scheduled shifts between 8:00am – 3:00pm, Tuesday through Friday with a half-hour lunch break.
• Must submit monthly availability two weeks before the first date of next month.
• Hours will average 16 hours/week.
• Occasional evening shifts for planetarium and observing events may be requested.
• Some on-call work may be available to cover unexpected staff absences.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• BA or BS in science or education and a minimum of 2 years experience working with K – 12 youth in a formal, informal, or museum educational setting or equivalent experience totaling 4 years.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of astronomy
• Creative, enthusiastic, and thrives working in a team setting.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where flexibility, dependability, quickness to troubleshoot, and good humor are paramount