Educator, Children and Family Learning – American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City is one of the premier science research and cultural institutions in the country. The American Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced Educator to perform a variety of teaching and program design responsibilities as a part of the Children and Family Learning division of the Department of Education. Responsible for a variety of programs that serve children of ages 2-10 and their caregivers, the CFL division oversees the administration of summer camp programming, elementary weekend and after school events, multi-year science enrichment programs, large scale family outreach festivals, and the Museum’s Discovery Room exhibit.

The CFL Educator will deliver informal science programming spanning a wide variety of physical and natural science topics and in a range of learning environments. Teaching in after school, weekend, and camp programs as needed, the CFL Educator must rely on adaptive teaching styles that respond to the needs of a diverse cross-section of program participants and integrate assets of the Museum (e.g using Museum Halls and collections to support learning).

Job Responsibilities:

• Teach across CFL programs in preK-5th grade classes and family events and covering a broad range of scientific fields such as Biology, Earth Science, Anthropology, Paleontology, and Astrophysics. Provide teaching assistance to other teachers in similar classes as needed.

• Greet visitors and support their learning in the Discovery Room through direct facilitation.

• Collaborate with other educators and program managers to plan and test activities, set up for classes, gather teaching specimens and equipment, prepare activity materials, and clean-up after programming.

• Research science content, as it relates to the Museums disciplines, Halls and Exhibitions, and current child development practices and theories to develop innovative curriculum for early childhood, elementary, and family audiences.

• Become an active member of an informal science education professional learning community by participating in internal staff development sessions.

• Collaborate successfully with parents and families to support learning goals for all programs.

• Support and collaborate with colleagues and staff of Children and Family Learning, AMNH Education and across the Museum in order to create a robust community of practice.

• Assist with classroom and learning environment upkeep and maintenance and participate in routine husbandry tasks for the CFL live animal collection as needed.

• Must be available for occasional weekend work.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, museum education, or a physical or natural science-related field.

• At least 3 years of teaching experience at the early childhood or elementary level, preferably in informal settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Education, Museum Education, or a related field.

• Experience in physical or natural science fieldwork or a laboratory setting.

• Ability to speak Spanish strongly preferred.