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Educator

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Tucson, Arizona

Job Type Permanent
Salary $16.49 per hour
Benefits Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and LTD insurance, FSA, HRA, 403(b) retirement plan, paid holidays, personal business days, sick leave, and vacation. Position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. (Compensation is set forth in th
Deadline Sep 04, 2026
Min. Experience 2 - 4 years

Inspire the Next Generation of Desert Stewards at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum!

Join our creative education team as a full-time Educator. You'll lead programs that ignite curiosity and foster a passion for wildlife, habitat preservation, and the natural world. Through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning that connects ecology, mathematics, art, and more, you'll help students discover the wonders of the Sonoran Desert while making a lasting impact on their understanding of conservation.

Job Title: Educator
Department: Conservation, Education and Science
Reports To: Associate Director for Education
FLSA Status: Non-exempt; Full-time
Starting Salary: $16.49 per hour (initial step) plus a comprehensive benefit package, which includes medical, dental, vision, life and LTD insurance, FSA, HRA, 403(b) retirement plan, paid holidays, personal business days, sick leave, and vacation. Position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Summary 
The Educator role at the Desert Museum assists with educational and conservation experiences for school groups, families, children, camps, and the general public for people of all ages. Programs are a mix of in-person (indoors & outdoors), overnights, virtual, and hybrid.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • The primary responsibility of this position is to support a variety of programming (classes, family groups, festivals, field trips, informal activities, overnight camping trips, special events, etc.)  
  • Assist with programs and orientations for school groups, teen programs, community groups, and camps.
  • Engage and educate guests through exhibit or nature exploration in addition to onsite, offsite, virtual, and tabling events.
  • Follow correct procedures for handling, transporting, and teaching with live animals (arthropods and reptiles) and maintain internal animal handling certifications. 
  • Compiles Museum artifacts, materials, and other educational tools for educational programs.
  • Develops educational materials for programs such as slide decks, manipulatives, worksheets, booklets, and other hands-on teaching tools. 
  • Assists with program logistics by communicating with teachers, group leads, and staff. 
  • Knowledge of and comfort with communicating science topics including the natural history of Sonoran Desert species, climate change, invasive species, the age of the Earth, and dinosaurs, among other topics. 
  • Maintain records of attendance, training goals, and animal handling.

To view the full job posting along with an outline of additional qualifications go to the posting on our Career page.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted through the posting on our Career page.

This position will most likely begin in late Fall 2026, with interviews in late September to early October. Application review will begin in September. Please understand that if offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check, a pre-employment drug screen, and provide a current satisfactory 39-month driver's history report as a final condition of employment.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum stands out globally for its innovative blend of zoological park, botanical garden, Art Institute, and museum, dedicated to the diverse life of the Sonoran Desert and adjacent ecosystems. Despite its modest size, it's celebrated as one of the world's top zoological parks, showcasing over 4,892 animals of 242 species, 56,000 plants of 1,200 taxa, and extensive mineral and fossil collections. The museum was the brainchild of William H. Carr, with Arthur Pack as its initial benefactor, aimed at educating the public about the desert's natural history through integrated, interactive exhibits. Located 12 miles west of Tucson, the museum occupies a 98-acre site, offering a unique educational experience with its living collections, conservation efforts, and engagement in scientific research. Over the years, it has evolved into a pivotal conservation and education center, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional flora, fauna, and geology, while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Environmental Education