Bell Museum

Appointment: Part time (20 hours/week, flexible – 0.5FTE

Job Classification: Program/Project Specialist, Unit 6 AFSCME Clerical and Office

Benefits: Eligible for the University’s medical, life and dental insurance programs at your own expense.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin on April 17, 2023.

Pay Range: $21.49 - $23.72

Work Location: Bell Museum, although some remote work may be possible provided reliable working conditions can be maintained.

College: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Unit Overview
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 150 years, 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 and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe. We envision a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science. 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.‌ ‌

Position Overview
The Bell Museum’s Public Engagement and Science Learning (PESL) team is responsible for developing and delivering a robust suite of public programs, in-person and online, that engage diverse audiences in current science, natural history and astronomy, arts and humanities. These programs build on key themes in the Bell’s exhibition galleries and planetarium shows and serve as the backbone of our interpretive efforts. Our public programs largely serve an intergenerational family audience and include monthly Spotlight Science events featuring researchers, University of Minnesota units, and community organizations; night-sky observing events (Star Parties); annual festivals (Collectors Day, Space Fest); special lectures, performances, and more.

As the Bell moves into the implementation phase of its 2023 strategic plan, we are prioritizing collaborations with communities historically excluded from science, museums, and higher education, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities, girls/women, and first generation college-goers, to increase equitable access to the museum and university’s resources. This priority will be reflected through our program-planning and content decisions.
Bell public programs are highly collaborative efforts, involving coordination with external partners (including University researchers, students, and academic and outreach units as well as professionals from public agencies, industry, and community organizations), the PESL team, and other internal Bell departments (including Operations, Marketing, and Membership).

The Public Program Assistant will support PESL Program Leads in the planning and implementation of public programs at the Bell Museum. They will provide administrative and logistical support that is essential for creating a welcoming and engaging visitor experience.

The Public Programs Assistant will be enthusiastic about science and natural history and its intersection with art, humanities, and culture. They will demonstrate organization and attention to detail, creative thinking and problem solving, and strong oral and written communication skills. This position will report to the Director of PESL.

Duties and Responsibilities
Program planning support (50%)

• Provide administrative coordination and support for public program planning, including scheduling, space reservations and floor plans, accommodations for accessibility, materials purchasing and management, and cost tracking.
• Support the PESL program lead and partners in the development of relevant, engaging activities and event logistics that supports program goals.
• Contribute to and coordinate program communications, including direct communications with partners/ participants and copy for the marketing team.
• Collaborate with PESL program lead, volunteer coordinator and student staff supervisors to develop staffing plans

Program Implementation and Evaluation (30%)

• Directly support delivery and implementation of public programs and events (often evenings and weekends) on-site at the Bell Museum, virtually, and off-site through community partnerships (as needed).
• Seek feedback from internal and external program partners (including the coordination of internal program debriefs) and contribute to discussions for program improvement and adaptation.
• Support institutional evaluation efforts, including data collection, analysis, and presentation of results, about visitor experience and engagement.

Other Program Support (20%)

• Track deliverables and prepare content as requested for reports in support of external (including philanthropic) funding.
• Provide administrative support and coordination for other PESL-led activities as needed, including artist residencies and summer STEM kit distribution.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/ GED and five years related experience to include project management. Coursework in related field may substitute for some years of experience.
• Has experience in project administrative program support
• Demonstrated practical knowledge as it relates to program development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for science, natural history, and/or astronomy.
• Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority
• Experience keeping projects running smoothly, managing details and timelines
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience navigating different communication styles and personalities
• Operates with anti-racist priorities and values and demonstrates a commitment to inclusion across diverse racial and cultural identities
• Demonstrated ability to create a welcoming and positive atmosphere for all (staff, volunteers, event hosts, general public, etc.)
• Proficient using Google Suite and Microsoft Office Programs, especially spreadsheets.

Preferred Qualifications (not required)

• Experience working in a university, cultural, or non-profit educational environment
• Experience using Zoom or other video-based platform for program delivery
• Experience and/or working knowledge of best practices in public engagement or science communication
• Experience with cross team/departmental collaboration
• Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Hmong or another language in addition to English

Candidates should document their qualifications for the position in their application materials, through the U's application interface, a resume, and/or cover letter.

Work schedule: 20 hours/week, some daytime, evening, and weekend work will be necessary. Generally, we expect the schedule to include 2 weekend days and 2-3 evenings per month – we would shift working hours accordingly.

Primary Location: Bell Museum, although some remote work may be possible provided reliable working conditions can be maintained.

Travel: Travel, largely within the Twin Cities metro area, may be required on occasion to meet with partners.

The mission of the Museum is to ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world. 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 150 years, 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.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired by our mission 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 employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Questions about the position can be directed to Kate Sigurdson, ksigurds@umn.edu.

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

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.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

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