Jobs

Available Positions

Public Relations & New Media Manager
Administrative Assistant, Education Department
Educator, NASA Forum Programs
Senior Educator, STEM Student Experiences
Senior Educator, Public Program Development
Women's Board Coordinator
Online Science Learning Researcher
Museum Services Staff
Volunteer Opportunities

Public Relations & New Media Manager

The Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL) is seeking a Public Relations & New Media Manager to oversee the overall planning, implementation and evaluation of day-to-day public relations and new media initiatives.  Public Relations & New Media Manager also manages the Museum’s internal and external communications.  This position reports to the Director of Museum Communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Write and distribute press materials;
• Place news stories and service press requests;
• Track and archive media coverage;
• Plan and coordinate special events and press previews;
• Utilize new media channels to communicate external messages and promote the Museum; Monitor the Museum’s presence in new media;
• Write/edit and assist in the production of Museum’s e-communications and promotional materials;
• Manage on-line pressroom and support PR-related website content.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or a related field;
• Minimum five years experience in public relations field required, experience in a formal public relations agency preferred;
• Experience using social media to promote events and communicate with the media;
• Superior writing/editing skills, ability to create professional promotional materials;
• Proven track record of media placements and special event management;
• Experience creating departmental reports and communications plans;
• Exceptional communications skills;
• Excellent organizational, detail and multi-tasking skills;
• Ability to utilize a variety of software programs and search engines; design and desktop publishing experience preferred.

The salary for this position is commensurate with education and experience.  Candidates without a solid public relations background and minimum five years experience will not be considered.

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-prnmm@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Administrative Assistant, Education Department

The Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL) is seeking an Administrative Assistant who will provide administrative and project management support to the Adler’s Education Department. The person in this position will handle a wide range of tasks and will need to be able to work independently.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Track, report, and invoice budget information relating to Federal grants and contracts.  Generate regular budget reports and forecasts;
• Assist program managers with credit card reporting, invoicing, and expense reports as well as timesheet management;
• Perform office management duties such as copying, scanning, shipping, ordering supplies, and managing program materials;
• Coordinate and arrange meetings and events, reserve and prepare facilities as required, and occasionally prepare minutes from meetings;
• Maintain calendars for department programs and program directors;
• Arrange and coordinate travel.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree;
• 3 - 5 years experience as an administrative assistant or project manager in positions of increasing responsibility;
• Project management experience evidenced and documented. Experience with budget forecasting, basic accounting, and financial record keeping is strongly preferred;
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, make well-reasoned independent decisions when circumstances dictate, and work well with others;
• Excellent phone manner, good writing and speaking skills;
• Proficiency with Apple computers and MS Office – especially Excel.

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-aaed@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Educator, NASA Forum Programs

The Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL) is seeking an Educator to work on several NASA Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) projects including NASA’s IBEX mission and several of NASA’s Science E/PO Forums. He or she will work with teamates at Adler and peer institutions to implement teacher professional development, deliver student outreach, and promote utilization of NASA educational resources. This position requires strong organizational skills and an understanding of science teaching and teacher professional development.  Also required are effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively as a team member.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates and assists in the delivery of IBEX related projects/programs including teacher professional development, student outreach, working with interns to facilitate floor activities, a video based professional development project for informal educators and updating web content;
• Participates in the analysis of NASA Science Mission Directorate Education resources for alignment with AAAS benchmarks conducted by NASA’s Heliophysics forum;
• Coordinates and assists in NASA Science E/PO Forum tasks to support and facilitate communication and collaboration of the community as well as enable sharing of best practices;
• Other duties as assigned, including some project management.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, science, or related field. Masters degree preferred;
• One or more years experience in museum education, classroom teaching, or a related field.  Experience with creating video-based online educational experiences is a plus;
• Must be organized, responsible, able to communicate clearly, responsive to group dynamics, and able to participate in the design educational activities.  Working knowledge of the AAAS Project 2061 Atlas is preferred.

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-ednasa@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Senior Educator, STEM Student Experiences

The Sr. Educator for STEM Student Experiences will be instrumental in creating authentic science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences for PK-12 students. As a project team member or team leader, the Sr. Educator will make significant contributions to the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of student-centered STEM learning experiences.  Such experiences may happen at the museum or in the community and will typically: take place over a period of several hours to several days (although some experiences may last longer); focus primarily on students and secondarily on adults such as teachers, parents, etc.; occur within learning environments that are physically immersive and interactive; and engage students in curriculum and activities that are fun, social, and intellectually immersive and interactive.  With guidance from the Associate Director for Student & Teacher Programs, the Sr. Educator may also manage project budgets, mentor junior team members, and participate in authoring funding requests and program reports for funders and other stakeholders.

A sample of the STEM student experiences in the Adler’s current repertoire includes:

• School field trips
• Science fair mentoring
• Summer camps
• Teen internships

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and develop new student programs;
• Implement existing student programs;
• Evaluate and revise existing student programs;
• Administrative duties: manage budgets, mentor staff, manage inventory, write funding requests and reports, etc.

Education and Experience:

• 3+ years experience in a science education environment, preferably working in urban schools or with urban school partners;
• Experience creating learner-centered science education products or programs from concept through design, development, implementation, and evaluation;
• Experience delivering professional development to science teachers, preferably in an urban district;
• Experience working on grant-funded projects and maintaining relationships with funders is desirable;
• Ability deliver engaging, differentiated science instruction to PK-12 students;
• Excellent verbal communication skills and comfort delivering oral presentations to a wide range of youth and adult audiences;
• Excellent writing skills including the ability to tailor writing styles to the needs of specific audiences (e.g. students, teachers, funders, etc.).

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-stem@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Senior Educator, Public Program Development

The Senior Educator for Public Program Development will be instrumental in building and maintaining the Adler’s repertoire of floor programs, exhibit tours, special events, and other facilitated visitor experiences.  As a project team member or team leader, the Sr. Educator will make significant contributions to the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of all of the museum’s public programs.  Such programs may take place either at the museum or off-site and will typically involve: live interactions between an educator and an audience that lasts for several minutes up to an hour; interactive hands-on activities that serve to engage interest and prompt conversations as much as to teach content and skills; and instructional design strategies that are flexible enough to accommodate varying group sizes and audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds. With guidance from the Associate Director of Education for Public Programs, the Sr. Educator will also manage program budgets, mentor junior team members, participate in the design of planetarium shows and museum exhibits, and contribute to authoring both new funding requests and project reports for funders and other stakeholders.

A sample of public programs in the Adler’s current repertoire includes:

• Activity carts, tours, and other daily activities
• Park Voyagers
• Astro-Overnights
• Adler After Dark

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and develop new public programs and/or participate in the design and development of other new visitor experiences (e.g. shows, exhibits, etc.);
• Evaluate and revise existing public programs and/or other existing visitor experiences (e.g. shows, exhibits, etc.);
• Train staff and volunteers from the interpretation team (e.g. Mission Specialists etc.) on the delivery of public programs;
• Coordinate delivery and logistics related to the implementation of large-scale special events and audience initiatives (e.g. Adler After Dark, Astro-Overnights, etc.);
• Direct supervision of staff and/or volunteers.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree including course work in science or education is required. Graduate degree in museum studies, theater in education, education, instructional design, or a related field is preferred;
• 3 or more years experience in museum education including managing and developing programs, authoring goals, identifying objectives, conducting content research, planning and implementing training, evaluating outcomes, etc.;
• Preference will be give to candidates with experience in project management, public performance, staff training, event planning, and/or night sky observing.

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-seppd@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Women's Board Coordinator

The Adler Planetarium seeks a Women’s Board Coordinator, reporting to the Director of Major and Individual Gifts in the Museum’s Advancement Department.

The position is an integral part of the Adler’s fundraising team and serves as the chief staff liaison for the Adler Women’s Board. In this capacity, the Women’s Board Coordinator will work with volunteers (including trustees) and staff to direct two major fundraising events: the annual Celestial Ball gala and the Women in Space Science Celebration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the annual black tie gala—the Celestial Ball. Organize committee meetings and manage auction and raffle logistics;
• Oversee Women in Space Science Celebration, including luncheon logistics and afternoon education program;
• Prepare all materials (handouts and PowerPoint presentations) for Board and event committee meetings. Send meeting notifications and manage attendance lists. Arrange logistics including catering and meeting location;
• Manage correspondence (mailings, emails, phone calls) with Women’s Board members;
• Act as liaison with vendors including graphic designers, printers, caterers, event designers, etc.;
• Manage budgets including invoices and expenses for events and operations.;
• Coordinate and prepare all materials for the Women’s Board annual appeal.

Education and Experience:

• BA degree is required;
• Development experience working with volunteers;
• Expertise in large and small special events as well as meeting management;
• Honed written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills are essential in this position;
• Candidate must also have the ability to meet deadlines while working on multiple projects and while managing volunteers’ schedules and needs;
• Must have experience using MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Raiser’s Edge fundraising software.

To apply for this position:
Please email a cover letter, resume and salary history to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-WomensBdMgr@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Online Science Learning Researcher

We are currently seeking a researcher for a two year project in science learning in informal (on line) environments. This online science learning researcher would be responsible for planning and carrying out research into adult learning of the nature and process of science as they engage in web based citizen science investigations. He or she would contribute to an international citizen science initiative, and his or her findings would contribute to any new exhibits or programs involving citizen science. He or she would be expected to publish his or her research findings both internally in evaluation reports and narrative for grant applications but also externally in conference and journal presentations. This position would work closely with a multidisciplinary Zooniverse team of developers, educators and researchers, in a vibrant, dynamic field.  Additional research possibilities may open up after this is completed.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Education, Learning Science, Statistics or other research field is required;
• PhD in field requiring qualitative and quantitative research methodology is preferred;
• Experience with design, implementation and evaluation of science education projects and/or research in multiple learning environments using clinical interview protocol;
• Conference and /or journal publication history;
• Web based or computer based learning environment analysis preferred.

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-slr@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Museum Services Staff

A part-time position.

The Adler Planetarium (Chicago, IL) currently has opportunities available for part-time Museum Services Staff.  We are looking for individuals interested only in part-time employment with the ability to work three days per week.  In addition, candidates must be able to work weekend and evenings until *midnight as well as holidays.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Enhance our visitors’ museum experience in all areas of this prestigious institution;
• Create a welcoming atmosphere for arriving visitors;
• Provide current information regarding museum activities;
• Use visitor friendly, theater crowd control skills;
• Monitor the safety and security of exhibits, staff and visitors.

Education and Experience:

• Previous experience in customer service is desired.

Qualified Candidates Will:

• ONLY BE INTERESTED IN PART TIME WORK;
• Be motivated to implement proven visitor service techniques;
• Maintain an alert “eager to serve” cheerful attitude;
• Present excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Adapt to established procedures enthusiastically;
• Respond positively under stressful circumstances;
• Demonstrate ability to make swift, appropriate decisions;
• Enjoy interpreting museum exhibits;
• Be able to work independently;
• Show initiative;
• Be alert to security concerns;
• Be able to read, write and speak English.

* Please note if commuting via public transportation, when working until midnight, public transportation directly from the museum is not available at this time.

To apply for this position:
Please email a resume and cover letter, including a paragraph explaining why you would be a favorable candidate, to:

Holly Haddad
Director of Human Resources
Email address: hr-MSS@adlerplanetarium.org

EOE/AA

Volunteer Opportunities

Help inspire understanding and exploration of our universe in the most direct way: volunteer in public programming. Volunteers teach science and astronomy to visitors of all ages. Volunteers are needed every day of the week. Most positions require a minimum time commitment. Training for these positions is offered on a regular basis both on weekdays and weekends. Visit the Volunteer Page for more information including benefits and how to apply.