Senior Museum Educator at The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
Job Title: Senior Museum Educator
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Cambridge, MA
Job Summary
The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture are dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – including fostering respect for all, serving the greater good, and welcoming individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more about HMSC’s mission, objectives, and core values, please visit our website https://hmsc.harvard.edu/
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Education, Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH) and the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments (CHSI), this position has a primary focus on managing our portfolio of offerings for K-12 audiences, including collaborations with Harvard science researchers. This position will oversee the day-to-day needs of school programs, including supervision of the Reservations Assistant. The Senior Educator will serve as a second-in-command for the department and the primary contact in the Director’s absence.
Position Description
- Oversight of HMNH school programs, including scheduling teaching assignments across museum educators, creating the teacher E-news, and teaching programs.
- Supervise the Reservations Assistant.
- Formulate an approach to science education professional development programs for K-12 educators and scientists
- Articulate offerings for schools including in-museum classes, gallery-based self-guiding activities, and remote programming.
- Participate in department-wide educational activities (including family festivals, teaching summer science weeks, live animal care, and volunteer training)
Basic Qualifications
- BA in biology, geology, or related field.
- Minimum of 3 years experience teaching science content in a formal or informal setting
Additional Qualifications And Skills
The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.
- MA in science, education, or museum studies preferred
- Working knowledge of current evolutionary biology or earth science research
- Successful experience translating current research into curriculum/educational activities and working with university-level science faculty and students in collaborative educational projects.
- Understanding of and commitment to student-centered learning; familiarity with educational approaches and ability to adapt them to a museum context
- Excellent communication and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within and outside the department and to build effective teams
- Flexibility, ability to multi-task and to set and adjust priorities in a complex environment
- Some supervisory experience preferred
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter with their application.
Physical Requirements
Must be able to routinely lift up to 30 lbs. and climb stairs.
Working Conditions
This primarily on-site position will be based in Cambridge, MA.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Additional Information
Other: The Harvard Museums of Science and Culture (HMSC) is a partnership of public museums in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
This position is subject to a criminal, identity, and education background check.
We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.