POSITION OVERVIEW

The Curator of Education is a professional, senior level position responsible for planning, creating, and implementing a wide range of public education programs, events, activities, and materials that support the Museum’s values and education mission. This position is also responsible for developing and strengthening partnerships with the community’s school system and developing the Museum’s educational resources to reach a broad and diverse range of Museum visitors.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position provides overall leadership, guidance, and management of an innovative and balanced Museum education program.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Direct and coordinate the work of the Museum’s education team to create and deliver teaching materials, tours, and interactive programs and activities that relate to local history and connect the Museum’s message to a wide variety of visitor age groups and interests.

• Research, plan, prepare, and implement curriculum-based school programs according to state and nationally accepted standards that enhance and enrich student learning.

• Seek out and cultivate strong relationships with teachers, school district administrators, allied professionals, libraries, regional institutions, and other key partners to ensure that the Museum’s educational programs are relevant and fulfill teacher needs.

• Respond to requests for information and assist teachers, chaperones, and school groups with planning, coordinating, and managing field trips to the Museum, including help with selecting presentations, scheduling class visits, and providing orientation materials.

• Develop and present education workshops and Museum orientation sessions for teachers.

• Design, develop, and provide teacher pre-visit and post-visit education materials including itineraries, information packets, and lesson plans.

• Initiate, develop, and implement various community outreach programs and continuing education opportunities for new and existing adult audiences, such as lunch lectures, gallery talks, tours, seminars, book signings, demonstrations, performances, workshops, open houses, and related activities.

• Create and implement family-based, year-round educational and interpretive programs, special activities, and events to complement seasonal, themed, and temporary exhibitions.

• Work with the Museum’s Exhibits team to review text and content for new exhibitions and play an active role in developing related interpretive programs and education components.

• Partner with the Museum’s Marketing & Events Manager and other staff members in a joint effort to publicize and promote the Museum’s education programs and life-long learning opportunities.

• Supervise, schedule, and coordinate Education staff and volunteers for presentations at schools, special events, service fairs, and other public programs both on and off Museum grounds.

• Supervise recruitment and training of volunteers, interns, and temporary employees in the Education department.

• Oversee the Museum’s teaching collection, audio-visual aids, supplies, and other items used for tours and teaching programs, including inventory control, maintenance, and replacement of objects as necessary.

• Develop an annual operating budget and monitor expenditures.

• Identify revenue opportunities and assist with soliciting and securing funds and in-kind support from external groups and organizations, corporate and private donors for educational initiatives and specialized projects.

• Maintain accurate monthly records and statistics on program attendance and costs to predict trends and establish realistic goals and objectives.

REPORTS TO

Museum Director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in history, education, public history, museum studies, or related field, and a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience developing and managing education programs in a museum, interpretive center, educational organization, or similar setting.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

➢ Thorough knowledge and understanding of state and national curriculum standards, and the ability to apply STEM theory and topics.

➢ Knowledge of contemporary museum education practices and techniques.

➢ Knowledge of informal learning methods and best practices used to develop, organize, and publicize educational programs and events in a museum environment.

➢ Excellent organizational, communication, writing, and presentation skills.

➢ Strong interpersonal skills, professional and compassionate visitor engagement.

➢ Proficiency with computers, word processing software, and spreadsheet programs.

➢ Ability to develop a network of teacher relationships and actively promote the Museum’s education resources to schools.

➢ Ability to take the initiative, be resourceful, and work creatively.

➢ Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate group tours and special events.

➢ Ability to research, prepare, and present exciting, informative and engaging learning experiences to various student and adult audiences. ➢ Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.

➢ Ability to respond to inquiries for information from schools, teachers, students, and parents.

➢ Ability to work successfully in a team environment with a diverse group of staff and volunteers.

➢ Ability to successfully coordinate education department programming with the Museum’s marketing, collections, and exhibitions staff.

➢ Positive, energetic attitude and familiarity with new and emerging learning technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

General office and museum environment with occasional work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions to deliver educational programs. Work involves sitting, kneeling, bending, walking, and standing, sometimes for extended periods. Lifting and moving objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds is also required. Computer usage involving repetitive hand and wrist motion is also necessary. Occasionally this position will be required to work evenings and weekends.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Full-time, 40-hour per week, exempt position. Salary negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. This position is also eligible for dental, vision, and health insurance. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to museumrelations@historymuseumofmobile.com