On Native Land Program Associate - Bell Museum

Position Summary:
On Native Land Program Associates will lead school and group programs and facilitate educational experiences at the Bell Museum and some offsite community programs and events. They will receive mentorship from knowledge keepers in Dakota and Ojibwe natural history and astronomy knowledge and will gain the skills and experience needed to spark curiosity, encourage scientific investigation, and engage participants in increasing their awareness and understanding of Dakota and Ojibwe knowledge and perspectives in Minnesota's natural history and sciences.

Major Areas of Accountability

• 70% - Facilitate program experiences for a diverse population of school and community groups centering Native American perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge in the museum galleries, landscape spaces, and with offsite partners.
• 10% - Participate in professional development related to Dakota and/or Ojibwe knowledge, natural history, and public engagement
• 10% - Contribute to program development and evaluation efforts, and attend staff and/or team meetings as appropriate.
• 10% - Outreach, tabling, and/or program delivery at events outside of the Bell Museum building located on the St. Paul Campus of the UMN
  

Working hours: In-person shift times fall between 8:30AM-4:15PM on the following Tuesdays: Fall 2026: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1 and Spring 2027: 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/9, 2/16, 3/2, 3/9,3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, 5/25 Additional hours for remote work are available 8am - 10pm, Monday - Sunday with supervisor approval. This position cannot work more than 67 days in a calendar year.

Appointment types: Temporary Non-exempt, and UMN Student Employees

Working Location: This position is in-person but there are options to work remotely within an identified number of hours. There are also optional opportunities to travel Statewide to support department programming.

Essential Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED and previous or current coursework in Native American/American Indian studies or equivalent learned or lived experience.
• Deep understanding of Native American perspectives, lives, and knowledge gained through learned or lived experience.
• Interest in and curiosity about natural history and engaging the public in Native American history, knowledge, perspectives in science and natural history.
• Customer service experience and/or working with the public or youth audiences
• Experience communicating with diverse populations of differing ages and backgrounds
• Must have availability to work daytime shifts on majority of the field trip dates (see below) and availability for limited training and mentorship hours in September and October. Options for additional hours as opportunities arise with onsite & offsite programming.
• Field Trip dates (Tuesdays): Fall 2026: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1 and Spring 2027: 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/9, 2/16, 3/2, 3/9, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, 5/25
  

Desired Qualifications

• Traditional ecological knowledge, natural resources, or other natural sciences.
• Experience in environmental education and/or interpretation
• Experience with access and accommodations
• Dedicated, dependable, flexible, and enthusiastic
• At least two remaining semesters of availability after hiring

The mission of the Museum is to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe. The Bell envisions a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science.

For over 150 years, the Bell Museum of Natural History has collected, preserved, interpreted, and displayed the natural history of Minnesota as the state's official natural history museum. The Bell serves learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe.

The museum is powered by the great minds on campus-from our faculty-curators, student lab assistants, and undergraduate interpretive guides to our dedicated staff and collegiate partners.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired by our mission to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the Universe and achieve our vision of a hopeful future where all are inspired by nature and empowered by science. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates who reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

Pay Range: $18.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Temporary Non-Exempt Appointment
Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

UMN Student Employee Appointment
Please visit the Office of Student Health Benefits website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

Student workers are eligible to participate in the Student Health Benefit Plan, if they maintain 6 or more eligible course credits within a given semester. The same applies for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Assistants, Residents, Fellows and Interns.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Questions about the position can be directed to Kate Sigurdson, ksigurds@umn.edu. Please upload a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter is the key component of your application. It should discuss your interest in and curiosity about natural history and engaging the public in Native American history.

Application Deadline: The review of applications will begin on May 21st. The position will remain open until filled.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).