Jobs, Internships, Volunteering

Department: Education

Seasonal Position Duration: June 3 - August 18, 2026

Background:  The Nature Museum Summer Camps offer children (ages 4-9) the opportunity to engage with and explore our local urban habitats.  Our camp is designed to enhance campers’ critical thinking and problem solving skills as they engage in inquiry, develop science process skills, and cultivate a love for nature.  The Summer Camp Assistant Director (“AD”) is essential for ensuring the success of the camp programs.  The AD is responsible for leading summer staff in the aftercare program, leading camp activities, assisting in parent communication, and managing counselor and camper schedules for each camp session.

For a detailed description of the Nature Museum’s Summer Camp, please visit https://naturemuseum.org/camps.

Responsibilities:  Attend 13 days of training alongside the counselors and head counselors, help them to develop curricula, and prepare for camp sessions. The AD will work closely with the Camp Director to lead camp groups in activities, manage the camp schedules, organize camp materials , attend off campus field trips, and oversee the camps aftercare program.

Following the training and curriculum development, on a daily basis the AD will work with any or all of the camp groups to facilitate and support planned activities with other camp staff. The AD will support the Camp Director in the supervision of Head Counselors and Counselors by modeling good judgment with campers, giving feedback on implementation and professionalism, and supporting in any way necessary. By completing the training, the AD will be able to show competencies in operational management, curriculum development, informal education instruction, written and oral communication, and environmental science content knowledge of our local habitats.

Qualifications: 

• Completion of junior year of college or above

• Knowledge of and interest in science, nature-based learning in informal learning environments, and educational pedagogy.

• An enthusiasm for engaging children with nature.

• Interest and ability in mentoring and leading summer camp counselors in meaningful environmental education. 

• Strong organizational skills, management skills, and an aptitude for presenting information in an engaging way to a wide range of learners.

• Flexibility and willingness to lead campers 4 to 9 years old daily.

• Ability to react quickly, use best judgment, and troubleshoot.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Preferred:  Current First Aid/CPR certification is a plus, but not required, as a certification class will be offered.

Compensation:  $20.00 per hour

Time Commitment: The term of this position is from June 3 to August 18.  The AD is scheduled to work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm (exact hours may vary).  In addition, the AD is also expected to attend one evening Camp Open House and a CPR and First Aid Training if not currently certified (note: this training will be included in the regular camp training schedule).   

How to apply:

To complete the application process, please email a cover letter and resume to camps@naturemuseum.org. Please include “Summer Camp Assistant Director” in the subject line. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

The Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please advise if you need accommodations to complete the application process.  Nothing in this job posting should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.

Department: Education

Seasonal Position Duration: June 8 - August 14, 2026

Background: The Nature Museum Summer Camps offer children (ages 4-9) the opportunity to connect with and explore our local urban habitats. Our camp is designed to enhance campers’ critical thinking and problem solving skills as they engage in inquiry, develop science process skills, and cultivate a love for nature. Summer Camp Head Counselors are essential for ensuring the success of the camp programs. Head Counselors are responsible for developing effective curricula, leading camp activities, and managing camper groups for each camp session.

For a detailed description of the Nature Museum’s Summer Camp, please visit https://naturemuseum.org/camps.

Responsibilities: Attend a two-week training, June 8 to June 19, to participate in skills training sessions, develop curricula, and prepare activities for camp sessions. Head Counselors will use the Museum’s resources to write environmental education camp curricula to be used in the last session of camp. Head Counselors are responsible for creating and/or gathering all supplies needed for activities within a given budget and time frame. with mentoring and assistance from the director and assistant director. 

Following the training and curriculum development period, Head Counselors will facilitate planned activities with campers during camp sessions. Head Counselors will supervise a group of campers with the help of one to two Counselors. Head Counselors will support the Camp Directors in the mentoring of the Counselors. Head Counselors who are assigned to facilitate the 8-9 year old camps may also manage off-site field trip programs along with the Camp Directors. By completing the training, Head Counselors will be able to show competencies in curriculum development, informal education instruction, written and oral communication, group management, and science content knowledge of our local habitats.

Time Commitment: The term of this position is from June 8 to August 14 (end date negotiable for those returning to school). The Head Counselors are scheduled to work up to 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8am – 4pm. Head Counselors will be asked to staff our Aftercare program from 3-5pm at least one session of camp, shifting their start time those days (10:30-5:30). Preferences will be shared but they cannot be guaranteed as schedules are formalized. In addition, the Head Counselors are expected to attend several evening Camp Open Houses and a CPR and First Aid Training, if not currently certified.

Qualifications: 

• Completion of sophomore year of college or above, or comparable academic or work experience

• Knowledge of and interest in science and nature-based learning; 

• An aptitude for presenting information in a relevant, appropriate, and engaging manner;

• Lesson planning/implementation experience;

• Strong organizational, management, and leadership skills;

• Ability to share enthusiasm for nature and high-energy charisma with kids ages 4 to 9 years old;

• Ability to lead activities both outdoors and indoors;

• Ability to physically lift, transport, and carry program materials throughout the Museum and its grounds;

• Ability to react quickly, use best judgment, and troubleshoot;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; 

• A basic understanding of child learning-styles and teaching techniques; 

• Compliance with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s vaccination policy

• Preferred: Current or past First Aid/CPR certification is a plus, but not required, as a certification class will be offered.

Compensation:  $18.00 per hour

How to apply:

To complete the application process, please complete an online application here. Please also submit a cover letter and resume to camps@naturemuseum.org . Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

The Chicago Academy of Sciences /Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is hiring independent contractors to install and dismantle temporary exhibitions in the Special Exhibitions Gallery and for other events during the year on a temporary basis- generally winter, late spring, and early fall.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Requirements vary for each exhibition. Most contractors will be required, under direction of the Exhibit Production Supervisor and/or the Lead Exhibit Fabricator to:

• Assist in preparing the gallery (including new construction, and repainting).
• Assist the forklift operator loading and unloading trucks at the dock.
• Handle crates to and from the dock, the freight elevator and the 2^nd floor gallery.
• Pack and unpack exhibit components and move empty crates to and from storage.
• Distribute and assemble or disassemble components per provided instructions and drawings.
• Assist in hanging, moving, and focusing lighting instruments in the gallery.
• Clear and clean the gallery and the exhibition in preparation for opening.
• Ability to lift and hold up to 60 lbs.
• Familiarity with the safe use of hand and power tools, dock equipment and personal protective gear, and general carpentry/assembly experience are preferred.
• A positive attitude toward the work and the exhibition team, pleasant and professional conduct toward all museum staff and visitors, and self-motivation to complete assigned tasks are required.

Compensation: Compensation starts at $15 per hour working 6-10 hours per day.

Some evenings and/or weekends are required.

How to Apply:

Please send resume to CAScontractor@naturemuseum.org

No phone calls please. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the organization. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.