OPS - Museum Educator (20 hours/week)
Job No: 541186
Work Type: Part Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Libraries/Museums, Education/Training/Instructional Design, Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support
Department: 56030300 - NH-EDUCATION
Job Description
Classification Title: OPS Temporary
Classification Minimum Requirements: Associate's degree in an appropriate area of education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Why Join Our Team? Join the Florida Museum of Natural History and gain hands-on experience in museum education by help inspiring curiosity, discovery, and lifelong learning through engaging educational experiences. Museum Educators play a vital role in connecting visitors with the Museum's world-class exhibits, collections, and research through hands-on learning, guided tours, outreach activities, public programs, and community engagement initiatives. This position offers valuable experience science communication, visitor engagement, and informal learning while contributing directly to the Museum's mission of understanding, preserving, and interpreting Florida's natural history.
Essential duties include:
- Deliver school programs, guided tours, educational demonstrations, outreach programs, and hands-on learning experiences for students, families, and community audiences.
- Facilitate educational activities throughout the Museum and community settings using inquiry-based learning strategies.
- Staff discovery carts and engage visitors through natural history interpretation and interactive learning experiences.
- Assist with the preparation, setup, operation, and breakdown of educational programs, special events, camps, workshops, and Museum-wide programming.
- Provide exceptional customer service while serving as a welcoming and knowledgeable ambassador for the Florida Museum.
- Prepare and maintain educational materials, supplies, learning spaces, specimens, models, and equipment used in programming.
- Assist with program administration, including attendance tracking, documentation, participant feedback, and evaluation, and collaborate with Education, Visitor Services, volunteer, research, and exhibit staff.
- Participate in staff training, meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of Education Programs, Visitor Engagement, and the Museum's mission.
POSITION DETAILS:
- This is a part-time (20 hours/week) OPS position. Six part-time positions are available.
- Work schedules generally fall within Museum operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Schedules vary based on program needs and Museum operations.
- Availability to work weekdays, weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings is required.
- Flexibility is necessary to support educational programming, outreach activities, camps, special events, and community engagement initiatives.
- Successful candidates must complete the required level II background check, training and certifications before independently facilitating programs.
- Training is anticipated to begin in late October 2026.
Expected Salary: $17.50 per hour
Required Qualifications:
- Associate's degree in an appropriate area of education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working with children, families, schools, or public audiences.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and the public.
- Ability to regularly stand, walk, and move throughout Museum facilities and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to successfully complete a Level 2 background check, fingerprinting, and all required University youth protection training.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Science, Museum Studies, Environmental Education, or a related discipline.
- Two years of experience delivering educational programs in formal or informal learning environments.
- Demonstrated interest in natural history, science communication, museum education, environmental education, or public engagement.
- Experience facilitating inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences.
- Experience developing and implementing museum education programs.
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
- Experience working effectively with large public audiences.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Commitment to exceptional customer service and visitor engagement.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
- Ability to drive state vehicles.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
To be considered, applicants must complete the online application and upload:
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Cover letter describing interest in museum education, visitor engagement, and science communication.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Training is anticipated to begin in late October 2026.
Walk-ins and phone calls regarding applications will not be accommodated.
Health Assessment Required: No
Applications Close: 18 September 2026
To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/541186.
Our Commitment:
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.
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