Who are we?

Founded in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit institution dedicated to the conservation and research of the Sonoran Desert region with the goal of making the Sonoran Desert accessible, understandable, and valued. It is a fusion experience zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, art gallery, natural history museum, and research institute. We are widely recognized throughout the world as a model institution for innovative presentation and interpretation of native plants and animals featured together in ecological exhibits. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has recognized the Desert Museum for over 25 years of continuous accreditation.

The essence of our work is to build an organization that enables us to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world. To accomplish this goal we need a diverse group of talented people working together with a solidarity of purpose, recognizing that the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. We invite you to join our pack!

Job Title: Education Specialist

Department: Conservation Education and Science

Reports To: Education Program Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Starting Salary: $684.00 per week plus a comprehensive benefit package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life and LTD insurance, FSA, HRA, 403(b) retirement plan, paid holidays, personal business days, sick leave, and vacation.

A Summary of the Role

The Education Specialist teaches classes and theater audiences, presents lectures, develops educational materials, conducts workshops, coordinates educational field and travel programs and participates in other environmental educational activities (in-person, hybrid, and virtual) to further the educational mission of the Museum by performing the duties below. Works weekends, evenings, and holidays in an equitable rotation with other staff members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Teaches a wide variety of natural history, life, and earth science programs onsite, offsite, and virtually for grades Pre-K through College. Utilizes Museum artifacts, live animals, and educational resources to augment standard teaching methods and adapts delivery of course content and complexity to ages and abilities of students and audience size. Learn more
• Develops and teaches natural history, ecology, and/or conservation programs for families and adults on the Museum grounds and in the community in formal (classroom) or informal (hiking, festivals, tabling) settings. Learn more
• Maintains animal certifications for a suite of live animals adequate to teach all department programs and maintains records of attendance and animal handling. Includes arthropods, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
• Knowledge of and comfort with communicating science topics including the natural history of Sonoran Desert Species, climate change, invasive species, the age of the Earth, evolution, and dinosaurs.
• Demonstrated experience with curriculum development, pedagogical best practices, and Arizona State Science Standards.
• Must be familiar with Zoom, Teams, Google, and Microsoft Office suite and be able to learn new technology quickly. Check out our Virtual programs
• Selects and assembles materials to be used in programming and arranges use of animals, artifacts, technology, vehicles, or other teaching aids.
• Assists in training and monitoring of on-grounds educational activities (Docents, interns, Educators) as needed. Learn more
• Coordinates education programs such as kids’ clubs, teen volunteers, school partnerships, outdoor (hiking and camping) programs and other programs of similar scope. Learn more
• Plans and implements day and summer camp programs, combining recreational activities with teaching methods geared to specific age groups. Learn more
• Works with adult leaders of youth groups and community organizations to assist youth to earn merit badges, fulfill projects, or other group requirements.
• On occasion, may serve as Department “manager on duty”.
• Evaluates success of courses through surveys, participant, teacher, and supervisor feedback.
• As a public figure maintains exemplary internal and external customer service while working with staff, volunteers, and community stakeholders.

Education and/or Experience

• BA or BS in biological, earth or environmental sciences, environmental education or equivalent.
• Three years teaching experience in an informal, formal, or a combination of environments.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Teaching Certificate highly desirable.

• Must have, or be able to obtain, an Arizona Driver's License with 6 years driving experience and a clean driving record
• Fingerprint Clearance Card (or ability to obtain)
• CPR and First Aid (or willing to obtain)
• Rabies Vaccine (or willing to obtain)
• Wilderness First Aid (or willing to obtain)

Other Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills highly desirable.
• Must be able to work occasional evenings and overnights and cover weekend days on a rotating schedule.
• Ability to travel regionally for teaching assignments.
• Ability and willingness to attend trainings onsite, online, or elsewhere.
• Ability and willingness to work outside in all weather including occasional overnights.

The above description reflects a general overview of the responsibilities, reporting relationships and position requirements for this job classification. It is not intended to be a complete description of all duties and requirements that may be inherent in the position.