OPS - Museum Educator (40 hours/week)

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida's Florida Museum of Natural History seeks an OPS Museum Educator to deliver school programs, guided tours, and community outreach, inspiring curiosity and lifelong learning through hands-on experiences. This full-time role offers engagement with visitors and school groups across campus and community settings in Gainesville.

Ideal candidates will have an associate degree, strong communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to work flexible hours, including

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in an appropriate area of education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with children, families, schools, or public audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout Museum facilities and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to complete Level 2 background check, fingerprinting, and youth protection training.

Responsibilities

• Deliver school programs, guided tours, educational demonstrations, outreach programs, and hands-on learning experiences.
• Facilitate educational activities using inquiry-based learning strategies.
• Staff discovery carts and engage visitors through natural history interpretation.
• Assist with program preparation, setup, operation, and breakdown of events and camps.
• Provide exceptional customer service as a welcoming ambassador for the Florida Museum.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Public engagement

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

OPS - Museum Educator (40 hours/week)

Job No: 541185

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Libraries/Museums, Education/Training/Instructional Design, Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support

Department: 56030300 - NH-EDUCATION

Job Description

Classification Title: OPS Temporary

Classification Minimum Requirements: Associate's degree in an appropriate area of education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Why Join Our Team?

Join the Florida Museum of Natural History and gain hands-on experience in museum education by help inspire curiosity, discovery, and lifelong learning through engaging educational experiences. Museum Educators play a vital role in connecting visitors with the Museum's world-class exhibits, collections, and research through hands-on learning, guided tours, outreach activities, public programs, and community engagement initiatives. This position offers valuable experience science communication, visitor engagement, and informal learning while contributing directly to the Museum's mission of understanding, preserving, and interpreting Florida's natural history.

Essential duties include:

• Deliver school programs, guided tours, educational demonstrations, outreach programs, and hands-on learning experiences for students, families, and community audiences.
• Facilitate educational activities throughout the Museum and community settings using inquiry-based learning strategies.
• Staff discovery carts and engage visitors through natural history interpretation and interactive learning experiences.
• Assist with the preparation, setup, operation, and breakdown of educational programs, special events, camps, workshops, and Museum-wide programming.
• Provide exceptional customer service while serving as a welcoming and knowledgeable ambassador for the Florida Museum.
• Prepare and maintain educational materials, supplies, learning spaces, specimens, models, and equipment used in programming.
• Assist with program administration, including attendance tracking, documentation, participant feedback, and evaluation, and collaborate with Education, Visitor Services, volunteer, research, and exhibit staff.
• Participate in staff training, meetings, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Education Programs, Visitor Engagement, and the Museum's mission.

POSITION DETAILS:

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) OPS position. Six full-time positions are available.
• Work schedules generally fall within Museum operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Schedules vary based on program needs and Museum operations.
• Availability to work weekdays, weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings is required.
• Flexibility is necessary to support educational programming, outreach activities, camps, special events, and community engagement initiatives.
• Successful candidates must complete the required level II background check, training and certifications before independently facilitating programs.
• Training is anticipated to begin in late October 2026.

Expected Salary: $17.50 per hour

Required Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in an appropriate area of education or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with children, families, schools, or public audiences.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to regularly stand, walk, and move throughout Museum facilities and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to successfully complete a Level 2 background check, fingerprinting, and all required University youth protection training.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Science, Museum Studies, Environmental Education, or a related discipline.
• Two years of experience delivering educational programs in formal or informal learning environments.
• Demonstrated interest in natural history, science communication, museum education, environmental education, or public engagement.
• Experience facilitating inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences.
• Experience developing and implementing museum education programs.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience working effectively with large public audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and visitor engagement.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
• Ability to drive state vehicles.

Health Assessment Required:No

Applications Close: 18 September 2026

Our Commitment:

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.