Job Listing: Manager of Youth & Student Learning (Museum of the Shenandoah Valley)

Manager of Youth & Student Learning

• Collaborate with the Director of Education, Manager of Adult Learning, and colleagues to develop the annual Education Department programming plan, calendar, priorities, and goals.
• Develop, coordinate, teach, and evaluate programs for pre-K–12 students, youth, families, teachers, and school communities, both on campus and through outreach and off-site experiences.
• Create standards-informed curricula, lesson plans, and age-appropriate learning experiences inspired by MSV collections, exhibitions, historic sites, gardens, natural resources, and regional history and culture.
• Develop pre-visit and post-visit materials, teacher resources, and hands-on experiences that support learners with diverse backgrounds, learning styles, abilities, and needs.
• Build relationships with teachers, school administrators, homeschool communities, youth-serving organizations, and community partners; develop teacher professional development and educator workshops.
• Collaborate with Arts & Education colleagues on interpretive, interactive, and hands-on materials for school programs, exhibitions, galleries, and family engagement.
• Oversee program logistics with the Education Coordinator and appropriate staff, including reservations, schedules, group capacity, materials, supplies, space use, audiovisual needs, and staffing.
• Manage assigned program budgets and expenses with the Director of Education; train, mentor, and provide program-specific guidance to part-time Educators and select volunteers.
• Coordinate with colleagues on program planning, promotion, staffing, and support; evaluate attendance, participation, teacher and student feedback, and program quality to inform improvements.
• Support MSV Makerspace programming and operations, adult programs, and other Education Department initiatives; explore digital and virtual learning resources, pursue professional development, and perform other duties that advance the organization.

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in education, museum education, art education, museum studies, public history, history, humanities, or a related field.
• At least two years of relevant experience developing and facilitating educational programs for children, youth, students, families, or teachers.
• Experience developing curriculum, lesson plans, school programs, field trips, or other learning experiences for pre-K–12 audiences.
• Experience working directly with children and youth in formal or informal learning environments and communicating effectively with teachers, caregivers, and school or community partners.
• Familiarity with academic standards and museum education practices, including inquiry-based, object-based, experiential, and hands-on learning approaches.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 and comfort with, or the ability to learn, audiovisual systems, registration systems, digital learning platforms, and other program technology.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in a museum, historic site, school, arts organization, or similar cultural or nonprofit institution.
• Knowledge of, or interest in developing knowledge of, Shenandoah Valley history, culture, art, decorative arts, gardens, natural resources, and related subjects.

• Organized and adaptable, with strong project-management skills and the ability to work independently, manage multiple programs and schedules, and respond to changing deadlines and needs.
• An effective communicator, with strong writing, teaching, facilitation, and public speaking skills and the ability to engage children, youth, families, and educators.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented, building productive connections with schools, community partners, colleagues, volunteers, families, and the public.
• Creative, curious, and resourceful, developing hands-on, developmentally appropriate experiences for different ages, learning styles, abilities, and needs.
• Patient, approachable, and professional, exercising sound judgment, diplomacy, and composure when working with minors and managing group dynamics.
• Committed to inclusive, accessible, and welcoming learning experiences that respond to learners with diverse backgrounds, abilities, learning styles, and needs.

• Work in galleries, classrooms, the Makerspace, event spaces, historic areas, gardens, outdoor spaces, schools, and community locations.
• Interact regularly with children, youth, educators, families, and groups; move throughout Museum spaces and stand or walk for extended periods during programs.
• Set up, move, or prepare program materials and audiovisual equipment.

• Medical, life, and disability insurance.
• A 403(b) employer contribution of 5% of annual salary after one year of employment.
• Paid vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday time.
• Complimentary individual or family MSV membership and individual Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) membership.
• Reduced membership costs at Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center.
• Daily access to the MSV’s gardens, museum galleries, and more than three miles of fully accessible trails.