Education Specialist

Job Details

Job Location:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Tucson, AZ, Position Type:
Full Time, Salary Range: $19.90

Hourly, Job Category:
Conservation Education

Are you ready to blend science, art, and music to bring the vibrant desert to life for learners of all ages? Join our creative and dynamic education team as a full-time Education Specialist and inspire the next generation of desert stewards. In this role, you'll lead engaging conservation programs that ignite curiosity and foster a passion for wildlife, habitat preservation, and the natural world.

Through hands‑on, interdisciplinary learning that connects ecology, mathematics, art, and more, you'll help students discover the wonders of the Sonoran Desert while making a lasting impact on their understanding of conservation.

Application review will begin immediately. Please understand that if offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check, a pre‑employment drug screen, and provide a current satisfactory 39‑month driver’s history report as a final condition of employment.

Education Specialist

Conservation, Education and Science

Assistant Director for Education

Non‑Exempt;
Full‑time

$19.90 per hour (initial step) 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. Position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Education Specialist at the Desert Museum teaches a variety of programming (classes, family groups, camps, field trips, festivals, informal activities, special events, etc.) to further the educational mission of the Museum. They develop educational materials, conduct workshops, coordinate educational field and travel programs and participate in other environmental educational activities (in‑person, hybrid, and virtual) by performing the duties below. Works weekends, evenings, and holidays in an equitable rotation with other staff members.

• 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. Aligns school programs with Arizona Science Standards.
• 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.
• Develops a wide array of STEAM‑related educational resources beyond the lesson plan including slide decks, props, art, music, recipes, or other non‑traditional teaching tools.
• Exhibits proper procedures for handling, transporting, and teaching with live animals. Maintains internal animal handling certifications and records. Animals include arthropods, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
• Coordinates teaching tools including use of animals, artifacts, technology, vehicles, or other teaching aids.
• Assists in training and monitoring of educational activities including working with Educators, Docents, and interns as needed.
• Plans, develops, and leads annual education programs such as kids’/ family clubs, youth volunteer programs, school partnerships, outdoor (hiking and camping) programs or other programs of similar scope.
• Plans and implements day and summer camp programs, combining recreational activities with teaching methods geared to specific age groups.
• Works with adult leaders of…