Bell Museum Statewide School & Community Engagement Coordinator – University of MN Twin Cities

The Bell Museum aspires to be a Museum Without Boundaries – a museum that connects with Minnesota in the broadest sense and with an unwavering commitment that the natural world be accessible for everyone. The Statewide School and Community Engagement Coordinator will be part of the Statewide Engagement team and will collaboratively develop, deliver and manage statewide K-12 and relevant community-based programming in the form of in-classroom, nature-based, community-based, and virtual natural science learning experiences.

The Statewide School and Community Engagement Coordinator will manage and support partnerships across greater Minnesota in development and execution to reflect a marriage of the Bell’s mission and each community’s identity, interests, and needs. The coordinator will support the creation and implementation of evaluation to ensure innovative, engaging, and effective programming. They will inspire a passion for science, be intentionally inclusive of populations that have experienced marginalization by systems of oppression and will work collaboratively to develop a holistic approach to advance comprehensive science learning with consideration for, and in partnership with, knowledge bearers from non-western cultural systems. Additionally, this individual will assist with developing relevant program budgets, provide creative programmatic insights, identify opportunities to improve program offerings, and apply their unique strengths toward the mission of the Bell Museum.

This is a new position within the Bell and we seek someone who holds enthusiasm and energy to dive in to engage and connect school communities with the Bell Museum. The focus of this role will initially be centered on building and expanding statewide K-12 collaborations and programming and is expected to evolve beyond K-12 to broader community engagement over time. This position will directly report to the Director of Statewide Engagement and will work closely with community partners, the Bell marketing team, and with members of the public engagement and science learning team on program operations, development and delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

K-12/Community Programs Development and Operations (60%)
● Identify existing and develop new relationships with schools, school districts, and relevant community organizations located across Minnesota located outside of the 7-county metro area
● Coordinate all aspects of programming delivery and logistics for schools’ sites
● Identify needs, coordinate, and lead (as necessary) trainings with school staff and volunteers
● Evaluate and adapt programs with feedback from youth leaders and partners
● Support the Director of Statewide Engagement with evaluation, budgeting, and reporting
● Develop, formalize, and manage Bell Museum statewide volunteer programming
● In collaboration with the public engagement and science learning team, develop training manual/materials, policies and procedures for all statewide off-site school programs
● Travel to school and community sites for special events/programs and programs

Internal and External Relationships (40%)
● Represent the Bell Museum at education, science, and relevant community-based conferences and events.
● Work with marketing team to promote and package virtual field trips to schools statewide as well as other statewide programs such as Exploradome.
● Work collaboratively with Bell Public Engagement and Science Learning team and other relevant internal and external partners to identify and/or develop or adapt k-12 content and programming
● Work with schools and community partners to ensure inclusion, representation, and accessibility
● Be able to Communicate how Bell educational programming aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and MN State Science Standards
● Attend staff, team, and project-based meetings.
Attend conferences, workshops, seminars as part of continued professional development.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

● BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 6 years
● 3 years of experience with program development in support of informal and/or formal education (for example: field trip development and administration, after school programs manager, designer of teacher professional development). This is not a teaching position
● Demonstrated practical knowledge as it relates to program development and evaluation
● Demonstrated enthusiasm for education and lifelong learning
● Demonstrated enthusiasm for science including natural history and astronomy
Community & Relationships
● Finds joy in making connections with people and operates with empathy
● Experienced and enthusiastic in working with communities across the state of Minnesota
● Operates with anti-racist priorities, values, and with a commitment to practical and programmatic inclusion across diverse racial and cultural identities throughout Minnesota
● Operates with respect and consideration for people of all abilities and can adapt to varying needs.
● Ability to navigate conflict, communicate with intention, and adapt to challenges
● Comfortable facilitating big or small gatherings or events (classroom, community, etc.)
● Eager to contribute to the Bell’s commitment to be a museum without boundaries through statewide engagement
Communication and Project Management
● Ability to exercise initiative (self-starter) and judgment as well as make decisions within scope of assigned authority
● Able to keep projects running smoothly, stay on top of communications, and manage timelines and information across multiple programs or projects
● Thrives in creative collaboration
● Great at navigating different communication styles and personalities
● Proficient using either Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides…), and able/willing to learn and adapt quickly to an unfamiliar office program.
● Ability to travel statewide for programs/events, including overnight stays

Preferred Qualifications (not required):
● Background in science education programs or related field or discipline
● Familiarity with Next Generation Science Standards and MN State Science Standards
● Experience in program delivery
● Ability to scale programs with an eye for financial sustainability
● Experience developing or providing teacher professional development
● Experience working in racially diverse rural areas, towns, or small cities

Hours, Pay, Other
Work schedule: 40 hours/week, occasional evening and weekend work will be necessary
Primary Location: May discuss the option to work remotely from anywhere in Minnesota provided reliable working conditions can be maintained and with the understanding that periodic travel to the Bell Museum may be necessary.
Travel: Travel across Minnesota is a necessary part of this position, with an estimate of 10%- 15% time in travel, including overnight stays.

Pay Range: $39,787 – $59,549

The Bell Museum is Minnesota’s official natural history museum, established by the legislature in 1872 and held in trust by the University of Minnesota. For over a century, the museum has preserved and interpreted our state’s rich natural history and served learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe, and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium expands the mission to the universe and points beyond.

The mission of the Bell Museum is to ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates that reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to  apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For more information about the position contact Kate Sigurdson, [email protected].

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe it is essential to create an environment that welcomes and empowers people from historically underrepresented​ ​​and marginalized communities to have equitable access to the museum’s resources as well as opportunities to transform our work.  We are committed to upholding the diversity, equity, and inclusion definitions and values set forth by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the University of Minnesota.

These values will be integrated in all aspects of the museum, including:

• Hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff and volunteers
• Selection and evaluation of program and exhibition content
• Providing meaningful opportunities to participate in planning and leadership

Read more about our commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility & inclusion on this page.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.