(Senior) Science Educator (Teacher II/III)

SUMMARY

The Exploratorium has been a professional home and hub for preK-12 teachers and leaders and a local laboratory for global science learning for decades. The Exploratorium Teaching & Learning Department works with educators and leaders in both formal and informal settings to create and facilitate transformative learning experiences for educators that impact science teaching and learning. Our team’s inquiry-based pedagogy is foundational to the work of the Exploratorium. We work with educators around the world, prioritizing the San Francisco Bay Area and California as well as the needs of undersupported teachers, leaders, and learners.

The Science Educator (Teacher II/III) is a collaborative educator and leader with expertise in teaching science at the elementary or middle school level in public schools and providing professional learning for educators. This position focuses on our work with elementary or middle school educators and leaders and also supports our department’s preK-12 work. Science Educators are involved in all aspects of planning, designing and implementing professional learning workshops, primarily for elementary or middle school teachers and preK-12 science education leaders in California public schools. Science Educators shape and lead new and existing programmatic initiatives and partnerships with schools, districts, and other educational institutions. Science Educators report to the Director, PreK-12 Teacher Professional Learning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Co-lead one or more of the Exploratorium Teaching & Learning department’s programs/projects, including the co-development of strategy, purpose, and offerings 
• Collaborate on the design, organization, and delivery of leader and/or educator professional development workshops throughout the year
• Lead and develop new professional learning programming to advance the team’s repertoire of projects and partnerships

• Center equity and liberatory practices in the design and facilitation of all of our team’s offerings
• Develop preK-12 science activities and learning experiences, including written descriptions, for dissemination by the Exploratorium
• Represent the Exploratorium’s commitment to supporting preK-12 science teaching and learning and advocacy for science
• Communicate and represent the vision, goals, impacts, and activities of the team within the museum, to other organizations, and within the field of professional development
• Provide pedagogical support to other Exploratorium programs, including advising exhibit designers, conducting training for floor staff, and assisting with museum public programs when needed
• Contribute to project proposals and project reporting including for grants and internal reporting

• Perform additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree in education, the sciences, learning sciences or an equivalent 
• Experience teaching science in public elementary and/or middle school(s)
• Experience providing inquiry-based, hands-on science education professional learning experiences for educators
• Passion for elementary or middle school science education
• Demonstrated ability to support equitable teaching practices and to work with educators of diverse social and cultural backgrounds; experience addressing issues of equity and access in educational contexts
• Working knowledge of the Next Generation Science Standards
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team of highly experienced scientists and science educators
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad range of audiences (e.g. students, preK-12 educators, district leadership, scientists, and educational leaders) and participants of diverse social and cultural backgrounds
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to participate in Exploratorium programs and events that may occur outside of normal working hours; ability to travel to workshops and conferences locally, nationally, and internationally to attend meetings, run workshops, and present at conferences

This role will be hired as either a Teacher II or Teacher III. To be placed in a senior level position (Teacher III), candidates must have a BA or MA and minimum of twelve years’ total experience teaching science and providing inquiry-based science professional learning programs for preK-12 science educators or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is based in San Francisco, California with staff expected to work onsite a certain number of days per week based on department requirements
• Ability to move from place to place and to utilize a computer terminal and general office equipment

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position starts in June 2026, and the first application review date is March 1, 2026.

HOW TO APPLY

This is a fixed-term, full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt, union position that includes benefits. The starting range for the Teacher II role is $47.05 to $49.81. This range represents steps 1-3 on a 12 step union pay scale. The starting range for the Teacher III role is $66.15 to $70.00. This range represents steps 1-3 on a 6 step union pay scale. All new teachers are initially hired on a fixed-term basis during their first teaching year. Rehire to a regular teaching appointment is based on management’s review of the employee’s performance and suitability for the Exploratorium’s teaching environment.  Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.

The Exploratorium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect.  We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Exploratorium

Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs. No phone calls, please

The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.