Guest Educator I

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

The Guest Educator I (one) position is responsible for conducting informal science, climate, and biodiversity education programs with museum guests. These programs could include hands-on, play-based, experiential, and guest-centered informal educational experiences offered on the museum floor. Programs can be delivered in connection to a permanent or temporary exhibit, or as part of seasonal programming led by the department of Guest Education. Delivery methods can include programming with live animals, engagements with CAS scientists, data visualization and other types of technology, experimentations, art-based, and immersive mediums. Programming is focused for all ages, with special emphasis on early childhood, teens, and young adults.

The Guest Educator I spends most of their time interacting with guests on the public floor;  and is comfortable engaging with guests from diverse backgrounds; has proven knowledge required to present on any topic relevant to the Academy’s work and mission and is eager to continue learning. 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

• →Deliver highly engaging, innovative programs, through myriad formats and modalities to diverse guest audiences and throughout the museum on various complex topics including natural history collections, CAS science, climate and biodiversity science and action, the intersection of science and policy, environmental and social justice.
• →Utilize teaching and interpretive approaches promoted by Transformative Education applicable to museum-based climate and biodiversity education, in order to inform, inspire, and guide guests on how to be stewards for the natural world and their communities and promote the value of scientific work and knowledge.
• →Provides as part of programs scientific information and facts for guests of all ages.
• →Maintain a high level of enthusiasm while performing repetitive, interpretive programs.
• →Provide excellent customer service to guests and staff.
• →Assist with duties as needed, such as program equipment maintenance, program evaluation, etc. 
• →Help to maintain a positive and healthy work environment and to work cooperatively within a team.
• →Follow all Academy safety regulations and complete all HR-assigned training.
• →Support the Academy’s mission, vision and division-wide initiatives
• →Perform other job-related duties as assigned

• At least 1 year of public speaking experience.
• Coursework, training, or background in one or more of the following fields: natural/environmental science, education (formal or informal), natural history interpretation, science communication, performing arts, climate change, biodiversity loss or other relevant fields
• Fundamental knowledge of best practices in museum interpretation, climate and/or biodiversity education in informal learning settings.

• Excellent public speaking skills 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Adapt and maintain flexibility in changing and fast-paced environments
• Maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing repetitive programs regularly
• Make complex science concepts accessible to general audiences while maintaining scientific accuracy.
• Work well independently as well as in teams.
• Accept feedback graciously and integrate it into practice as needed
• Effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people
• Passionate about environmental and social justice, climate and biodiversity action, and regeneration of the natural world.
• Desire to grow professionally through work-offered and/or personally-acquired certifications, courses, and trainings in fields and topics relevant to regeneration, and education for climate change, biodiversity loss.
• Fluency in a second language preferred