paleonet position: Educational Programs Manager, PRI

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Fulltime Position: Educational Programs Manager at PRI's Museum of the 
Earth, Ithaca, NY

Description: The Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research 
Institution (PRI) has an upcoming opening for an Educational Programs 
Manager. PRI educational programming makes accessible the history of the 
Earth system, the processes by which the Earth system works, and the 
science by which we understand it. The overall responsibility of this 
position is to foster a dynamic, interactive learning environment within 
the Museum that maintains both high standards of educational quality and 
high visitorship. The Educational Programs Manager will create, manage, and 
deliver both formal and informal educational programming. This includes 
educational programs for preK-12 classes and community groups and for the 
general public, and interactive educational experiences for the general 
public within the Museum of the Earth and its environs. The Educational 
Programs Manager will also oversee museum docents working in various 
aspects of education and will help search for funding and additional human 
resources.

A few of the programs especially emphasized at the Museum of the Earth 
include:
    * managing activities, resources, and human resources at hands-on 
"Discovery Labs" within the Museum exhibits;
    * managing PRI research partnerships, in which school and community 
groups and the general public participate in ongoing paleontological research;
    * overseeing a suite of seismometers used in exhibits and programs;
    * developing interdisciplinary programming in science and art; and
    * helping reach underserved urban and rural audiences.

Some of the additional duties also include:
    * booking and tracking information regarding educational programs;
    * helping with teacher development workshops;
    * marketing K-12 programs and acting as liaison to teachers and school 
administrators;
    * maintaining educational materials; traveling for outreach programs in 
Central New York schools;
    * maintaining teaching collection of specimens;
    * maintaining databases of programs, participants, and evaluations;
    * creating programming to complement several temporary exhibits each year;
    * organizing and registering participants for fossil collecting field 
trips and geological interpretive walks;
    * answering education correspondence; and
    * preparing materials for and representing PRI at public events.

Position also involves partnering with Ithaca's "Discovery Trail" 
organizations, with Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H, and with science 
education outreach providers at Cornell University. This person also 
participates in state, regional, and national education initiatives, and 
disseminates results in reports, presentations, and publications.

Job will entail hours during Museum peak visitation, e.g., on Saturdays, 
some holidays, and special events. Also includes occasional travel for 
programs within about 2 hours of Ithaca, and travel to several state and 
national conferences.

Qualifications: Bachelors degree or higher in some area of Earth system 
sciences, with interest and experience in teaching. Candidates should also 
have some experience with and interest in paleontological research or a 
closely related field, and knowledge of seismometry also valuable. This is 
an excellent position for someone who wants experience across a spectrum of 
museum education, who enjoys interacting with people of a wide variety of 
backgrounds, and who is interested in the interface of education and 
research. Successful candidate should be a dynamic teacher, sincerely enjoy 
teaching audiences of all ages, and be comfortable with inquiry-based 
teaching. Some evidence of previous interest and experience with teaching a 
must. Experience with proposal writing also a plus. Should be sensitive to 
working with diverse audiences and have excellent interpersonal skills. 
Should have reliable transportation (travel reimbursed) for commuting to 
outreach programs and local meetings. Should be flexible, self-motivated, 
and energetic, with a "can-do" attitude and entrepreneurial spirit.

Position begins mid-July, 2006.

About the organization: PRI's Museum of the Earth is a major natural 
history museum in Ithaca, NY dedicated to high quality education on the 
history of the Earth and its life. The new Museum  facility opened in 
September, 2003; see www.museumoftheearth.org for more information. The 
Paleontological Research Institution (PRI), founded in 1932, is a dynamic 
fast-moving institution with one of the largest research collections of 
fossils in North America and an active education program. PRI promotes 
science literacy through hands-on, inquiry-based programming. More 
information about PRI can be found at www.priweb.org.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter describing your 
interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume/CV, and a list of 
three references (including address, phone number, and e-mail address) to:

      Director of Education
      Paleontological Research Institution
      1259 Trumansburg Road
      Ithaca, NY 14850
      U.S.A.

Review of applications begins immediately and will close March 24th. 
Additional questions can be addressed to Rob Ross at 607 273 6623 x18 or 
<ross@museumoftheearth.org>.

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