Outreach Educator

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an outgrowth of the Dubuque County Historical Society, which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site, is home to the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and supports a national outreach program called RiverWorks Discovery. Its mission is to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive. 

• The Outreach Education position works as an advocate to ensure each of the Museum & Aquarium’s three core disciplines (history, conservation, and STEM) are represented through development of engaging interdisciplinary programs, and is responsible for the presentation of engaging and inclusive educational programs.
• This position is at its core focused most intensely on off-site programs. Many of these programs involve the use of live ambassador animals, requiring a degree of comfort around animals.
• On-site and off-site programs highlight connections to the Mississippi River through history, conservation, and STEM topics, utilizing dynamic resources of the NMRMA campus to forge meaningful connections with all audiences.
• In addition to programs, the Outreach Educator will assist with floor shifts, tours, and other projects as assigned, especially during slow periods in the outreach schedule, and often including one weekend day.
• Strong candidates will have an interest in curriculum development, and possess leadership skills to support the mission and vision of the NMRMA and the entire Dubuque County Historical Society.
• The Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Mathias Ham Historic Site, are committed to embracing diversity, practicing equity, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion.
• We continually strive to achieve a welcoming environment in all our spaces, where our staff and community feel reflected and valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds.
• DEAI values guide and impact all the decisions the museum makes, both internal and external.

Primary duties

• Act as program specialist for off-site educational events, requiring a high degree of generalized knowledge of history, conservation, and STEM topics
• Present and create exceptional and dynamic guest experiences in formal and informal settings
• Lead educational programs, which often include: crafts, live animal encounters, games, hands-on activities, historical artifacts, props, etc.
• Assist the Outreach Manager in the development of education programs and activities for diverse audiences of all ages.
• Incorporate small and medium sized live animals, biological specimens, and/or historical artifacts and replicas whenever possible.
• Lead RiverWorks Discovery off-site educational experiences, such as Who Works the River, as needed

Additional duties

• Perform variable daily roles as assigned, including, but not limited to: MakerSpace, Boat Shop, Delta, W.M. Black dredge boat, Wet Lab, Camps, Overnights, and Tours
• Follow all protocols, procedures, and uphold the Education Department Code of Conduct
• Maintain strong communication with the Outreach Manager and Animal Ambassador Keeper
• Maintain written records in accordance with established practice and policy
• Attend mandatory, prescheduled training sessions
• Remain comfortable, competent, and invested in history, conservation, and STEM topics to ensure redundancy and cross-training are in place
• Engage in continued learning about tools, artifacts, animals, and plants in institutional collection
• Keep all education areas clean, organized and hazard free, report maintenance needs, and perform minor maintenance tasks

Qualifications

• Relevant college course work and/or a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on history, anthropology, education, biology, environmental science, ecology, or a related field is strongly preferred
• A minimum of 2 years of paid education experience with formal or informal learning processes, ideally in a museum, aquarium, zoo, or nature center preferred
• Possess the ability to adapt quickly and be flexible in any scenario, as well as maintain considerable patience
• Possess a curiosity to identify and creatively facilitate strategies which engage audiences with making and design
• Ability to learn quickly and be self-motivated to elevate personal skill set
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
• Must have a personal email account and phone number for information exchange
• Must possess or be able to acquire a valid Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois driver’s license within 3 months of hire
• Must be capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR
• Must be comfortable working in and around water, and in inclement weather conditions
• Must be able to perform any physical demands of job duties, either with or without reasonable accommodation
• Final candidates will be subject to a reference and background check