Job Listing: Director of Education & Programs

 Mount Airy Museum of Regional History - Mount Airy, NC

Closes - open until filled

Position Title - Director of Education & Programs

Compensation - $36,000

Job Type - This is a two-year, grant-funded position that has the possibility for renewal contingent on continued funding.

Apply - Submit Resume and letter of interest to: Mjedwards@northcarolinamueum.org

Summary - The Director of Education and Programs will be responsible for all aspects of the museum’s education and outreach program including the incorporation of STEAM concepts into traditional museum/history setting.

Responsibilities include planning and implementation of on and off-site education and outreach programs for both youth and adults, Scout and home school days, curriculum alignment reviews for new and existing education programs, creation of pre and post-visit lesson plans and support materials for continuing education programs, collaborative work with area schools, and leading the Tar Heel Junior Historian’s Club.

Responsibilities -

• Planning and implementing of on and off-site education and outreach programs for diverse audiences

• Serving as the primary advisor to the Museum’s award winning “Jesse Franklin Pioneers Chapter” of the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association.

• Conducting an annual review of museum programs and school activities for curriculum alignment with current North Carolina Standards and others that may be used by local charter schools making sure that information is available to local teachers.

• Managing and distribution of pre and post visit lesson plans and support materials as well  as post-visit surveys/evaluations for teachers visiting the museum.  Where possible make those resources available through the museum’s website as downloadable material.

• Working with representatives from local school districts to help identify and vet topics and activities for new program offerings to ensure the end users are getting a product they can and will use with their students.

• Coordination of age specific programs for Scouting groups; schedule and run at least one “scout day” programs during the year.

• Planning and implementation of at least two weeks of educational summer camps incorporating STEAM content into at least one of those.

• Working with other museum staff the develop interpretive content for the ongoing museum renovations.  This content will directly incorporate STEAM principles into the traditional history museum interpretive narrative as one of three identified topical storylines throughout the new exhibits.

• Working with museum staff and volunteers to script interpretive stops for the museum’s guided tour app.

• Coordinating activities and programs with home school groups.

• Working with staff to recruit, train and manage volunteers and docents including revising and updating the docent training manual and conducting at least once training session each year.

• Collaborating with the Director of Membership and Marketing to develop and distribute appropriate marketing materials as related to programs and events

• May represent the Museum as a speaker at civic, church and community programs as needed

• Completes other duties as needed or as assigned by the Director

Qualifications -

• A passion for local history; and for sharing and teaching that history to others
• A good working knowledge of science and STEM principles how they are applied in daily life
• Strong public speaking and teaching skills
• Demonstrated success using social media and web applications to engage audiences
• Well organized and detail-oriented with an exceptional attention to detail and follow through; able to work both in unstructured and planned environments and in situations where rapid response and instant decision making is required.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, visitors, donors, professional colleagues, and other community stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.
• The ability to relate well with both youth and adults is essential.
• Experience using different strategies for different learning styles
• Experience working with volunteers
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office Suite, desktop publishing and social media platforms.
• Experience providing effective vision and strategic direction in museum education and visitor engagement is a plus.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred, however appropriate and documented real-world experience may be suitable in lieu of a degree.