Bell Museum Planetarium Educator

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

The Planetarium Educator role at the University of Minnesota delivers astronomy education to diverse school and public audiences, working with Bell Museum staff to prepare programs and manage materials and technology.

Responsibilities include on-site presentations, outreach activities, and mentoring Planetarium Guide staff as part of dynamic museum education programs, with occasional evenings and on-call coverage.

Qualifications

• BA or BS in science or education.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of astronomy.
• Creative, enthusiastic, and thrives working in a team setting.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with flexibility and dependability.

Responsibilities

• Deliver astronomy programs to diverse school and public audiences (85%).
• Present on-site and virtual/observing programs as needed.
• Mentor Planetarium Guide staff and assist with visit preparation and logistics.

Skills

BA/BS in science

astronomy knowledge

team collaboration

flexible environment

Education

2+ years K-12 outreach education

Job description

About the Job

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or GreenCard sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT trainingprogram.

Position Overview

The purpose of the Planetarium Educator position is to implementastronomy educational programming to diverse school and publicaudiences. The position will assist the planetarium and groupreservations staff in logistical aspects of programming, includingmaterials and technology management and on-site preparation.

Major Areas of Accountability (with percentages)

Astronomy Programs Delivery (85%)

• Deliver programming that engages a diverse range of learnersand encourages participation through the use of a variety oftendeaching techniques.
  • Present on-site planetarium programs for school and publicaudiences as needed.
  • Assist with virtual and on-site observing programs asneeded.
• Present from the planetarium located in the Bell Museum.
• Assist in visit preparation and other logistics for educationprograms.
• Participate in editing and/or program developmentcollaborations.
• Mentor Planetarium Guide staff in a variety of museumresponsibilities and planetarium techniques.

Support of Public Engagement and Science Learning Programs (15%)

• Step in to support PESL and planetarium programs at the museumand offsite outreach venues as needed, including the delivery of programs and participation inspecial event programming.

Schedule

• Tuesday - Friday, 8:45am- 3:15pm
• 16 hours per week
• Occasional evening shifts for planetarium and observing eventsmay be requested.
• Some on-call work may be available to cover unexpected staffabsences.

Location

Bell Museum, University of Minnesota, Saint Paulcampus

Work Environment

In-person

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• BA or BS in science or education and a minimum of 2 yearsexperience working with K – 12 youth in a formal, informal, or museum educational setting or equivalentexperience totaling 4 years.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of astronomy
• Creative, enthusiastic, and thrives working in a teamsetting.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where flexibility,dependability, quickness to troubleshoot, and good humor are paramount

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of best practices in informal science education andinquiry-based learning
• Formal education or experience in science and STEM curriculumdelivery and program implementation, with demonstrated track record of excellence inteaching
• Experience working with culturally and age-diversepopulations

About the Department

The mission of the Museum is to ignite and sustain curiosity fornature and the universe. The Bell envisions a hopeful future whereall are inspired by nature and empowered by science.

For over 150 years, the Bell Museum of Natural History hascollected, preserved, interpreted, and displayed the naturalhistory of Minnesota as the state’s official natural historymuseum. For over a century, the museum has preserved andinterpreted our state’s rich natural history and served learners ofall ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over onemillion specimens, representing every county in Minnesota andvarious locales around the globe.

The museum is powered by the great minds on campus–from ourfaculty-curators, student lab assistants, and undergraduateinterpretive guides to our dedicated staff and collegiatepartners.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired byour mission to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and theUniverse and achieve our vision of a hopeful future where all areinspired by nature and empowered by science. We believe thatdifference is a strength and are looking for candidates who reflectand respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the positioneven if you do not believe you meet every qualification

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range

$25.73 - $27.20 per hour ($53,518.4 - $56,576annual salary) ; depending oneducation/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty,Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversityand inclusion in enriching the employment experience of itsemployees and in supporting the academic mission. The University iscommitted to attracting and retaining employees with varyingidentities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to andopportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment withoutregard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender,age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteranstatus, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check. Our presumption is thatprospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminalconvictions do not automatically disqualify finalists fromemployment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among thelargest public research universities in the country, offeringundergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude ofopportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of oneof the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities,students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit fromextensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers,international corporations, government agencies, and arts,nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized byForbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employerfor Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State(2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence &Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-lifeflexibility.