Astronomy Education Programs Lead

Adler Planetarium; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave up to 15 days

Sick days 3 (6.5y cap)

Flexible Work Arrangements

Health Coverage

Retirement plan and Adler match

Free museum admissions

Job summary

The Adler Planetarium seeks a Public Programs Supervisor to hire, train, and supervise guest-facing staff and volunteers, while delivering science-rich activities on the exhibit floor. You will develop education programs aligned with Adler priorities and coordinate performance management with department leadership.

Expect 35 hours per week, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Tue–Sat, on-site at Adler. Start date anticipated no earlier than Feb 8, 2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or 5+ years professional experience.
• 2 years' experience coordinating informal science programming and supervising facilitators.
• Proven science communication, inquiry education, public speaking, and program facilitation.

Responsibilities

• Hiring, training, and supervising guest-facing public programs staff; recruiting, onboarding, and leading teams of department volunteers.
• Recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating staff candidates and making hiring recommendations and decisions.
• Providing ongoing training on science content, floor activities, and customer service for staff and volunteers.
• Developing staff and volunteer schedules based on institutional, seasonal, and gallery space needs.
• Interfacing with floor supervisors and other guest-facing staff in other departments.
• Leading staff and volunteer check-in and debrief meetings.
• Assessing staff and volunteer performance, establishing expectations, providing coaching and feedback, and addressing performance and conduct concerns.
• Documenting performance issues and recommending appropriate corrective action and discipline when warranted.
• Providing updates on staff and volunteer performance evaluations to department leadership and HR.
• Developing science-rich educational activities for use on the exhibit floor that align to department and Adler priorities, including concept research & development, designing activity plans, identifying materials, & activity prototyping.
• Reviewing and approving activity plans developed by staff teams.
• Delivering educational activities on a regular weekly schedule at the Adler Planetarium with visitors, including general audiences, students, and youth.
• Gathering data to support ongoing program evaluation efforts.
• Selecting, purchasing, organizing, and maintaining stock of activity supplies and equipment.
• Ensuring designated gallery spaces, carts, and other facilitation spaces and resources are clean and appropriately set and cleared.
• Engaging in professional development to maintain competence and currency in their area of expertise and responsibility, and participating in relevant professional organizations.

Skills

Science communication

Program facilitation

Public speaking

Writing

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or 5+ years experience

Job description

The Adler Planetarium seeks a Public Programs Supervisor to hire, train, and supervise guest-facing staff and volunteers, while delivering science-rich activities on the exhibit floor. You will develop education programs aligned with Adler priorities and coordinate performance management with department leadership.

Expect 35 hours per week, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Tue–Sat, on-site at Adler. Start date anticipated no earlier than Feb 8, 2027.