Presenter I en California Academy of Sciences

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

The Public Programs Presenter I, reporting to the Presenter Programs Assistant Manager, is responsible for conducting informal science education programs with museum guests. These programs include informal science education programs for all-age audiences, theater programs, programs for young children and their caregivers, live animal programs, as well as conversations with guests centered around natural history specimens and objects. The Public Programs Presenter is comfortable engaging with guests and presenting on any topic relevant to the Academy and its mission.

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

About the Public Programs Team

The Public Programs Team is dedicated to facilitating programs and guest-lead engagements that enrich guest experiences at the Academy, including daily programming at iconic exhibits, early childhood programming, specimen interaction and much more. Through these programs, the Public Programs team helps share the Academy’s mission to regenerate the natural world and major initiatives to guests of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver highly engaging programs to the public throughout the museum on various topics
• Provide natural history, science, and sustainability information for guests of all ages
• Use appropriate interpretive techniques to inspire wonder and guests to take action
• Maintain a high level of enthusiasm while performing repetitive, interpretive programs
• Provide excellent customer service to guests and staff
• Assist with duties as needed such as program equipment maintenance, program evaluation, etc.
• Help to maintain a positive work environment and to work cooperatively within a team

Follow all Academy safety regulations and complete all HR-assigned trainings

• Support the Academy’s mission, vision and division-wide initiatives
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications:

Experience and/or Education:

• At least 1 year of public speaking experience
• College-level coursework, professional training, or experience in one or more of the following fields: education (formal or informal), natural history interpretation, science communication,  performing arts, or other relevant field

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent public speaking skills 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Comfort working with small children (0-5 years old) and their caregivers
• Comfort working with live animals including snakes and insects
• Can make complicated science concepts accessible to general audiences while maintaining scientific accuracy
• Can adapt and maintain flexibility in changing and fast-paced environments
• Can maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy, and creativity while performing repetitive programs on a regular basis
• Can work well independently as well as in teams
• Can accept feedback graciously and integrate it into practice
• Can effectively work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people

Desired/Preferred:

• Fluency in a second language 
• Fundamental knowledge of best practices in interpretation
• Fundamental knowledge of science, natural history, and/or conservation topics

This is a mandated reporter designated position. Academy employees whose duties include direct contact and supervision of children are deemed mandated reporters under California Law. Mandated reporters have certain specific reporting obligations in the event that they know of, observe or reasonably suspect that a child has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. The Academy provides mandated reporters with training on their rights and obligations under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.

Physical Environment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and be able to perform repetitive motions 25% of the time. 
• Ability to safely work in both outdoor and indoor environments that may include stairs, uneven paths, ladders or lifts, and secure access areas. 
• This position requires extensive time on the museum public floor which includes: frequent travel across concrete floors and bark while transporting materials, intervals of time outdoors in varying environmental conditions, extensive public speaking often in noisy, crowded environments, and exposure to high levels of noise.  

Compensation and Benefits:
The hourly rate for this position is $26.99. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: On-site only, Tue-Sat 9:30am - 5:00pm

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).