Description

General Summary:

Plans, directs, and manages educational programming for museum visitors and special groups. The Program Specialist also acts as the lead manager on duty, including cash handling duties, as needed. Other duties include teaching classes and summer camps, providing content for social media, working on the museum floor, overseeing staff development and training, and other tasks as assigned or
outlined below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Directs planning, development, and implementation of all educational activities, public events, public shows and special programs

• Plans monthly themes and activities
• Develops museum programming for children utilizing museum displays to augment standard teaching methods and adapts content and complexity to ages and interests of children
• Understands and is knowledgeable of current state standards for school program/class development
• Coordinates external instructors and other professionals for presentations of various programs
• Works with donor and other educational partners for special educational presentations
• Develops activities for special events
• Works with community groups, organizations, and others to increase awareness of the institution as a resource, and develops collaborations and partnerships to extend organizational programs and audiences
• Oversees production of materials to ensure compatibility with institution's programming mission
• Trains staff members for new programs and professional development
• Develops and analyzes methods of programmatic evaluation
• Collaborates with the marketing team to provide information including general descriptions, blogs, and other content pertaining to programming, camps, workshops, classes, and special events

Assists in the management of the museum

• Acts as the lead staff member in charge in the absence of the Coordinator and Director and assumes related management responsibilities
• Ensures that staff members and volunteers are adhering to museum policies, procedures, and general duties
• Aids in the responsibilities of other staff members when help is needed
• Performs exhibit checks and either corrects the problem or reports the issue to other management

Provides support and assistance to accomplish the educational goals of the museum

• Teaches or conducts workshops, school programs, public programs, birthday parties, demonstrations, and summer camps as directed by the Coordinator
• Selects and assembles materials to be used in demonstrations and other programs
• Assigns tasks and program development opportunities to the Creative Play Professional II staff members
• Assists with the proper care and storage of all supplies
• Interprets programs for children in various themes, utilizing museum displays to augment standard teaching methods and adapts content and complexity to ages and interest of children
• Assists in evaluation and improvement of museum programming

Works as a cash handling supervisor for front desk operations

1. Perform cash handling supervisory duties as outlined in company procedures
2. Accurately perform admissions reporting and report discrepancies to the Site Director
3. Assist front desk operators by working at the front desk as needed

Monitors the museum exhibits, activities, and environment to ensure safety

1. Perform exhibit checks and either correct problems or report them to the Coordinator or Site Director
2. Enforce safety and other policies/procedures within the museum
3. Assist in emergency response procedures
4. Develop and perform daily and nightly housekeeping routines for museum activities and exhibits
5. Maintain a clean and orderly work environment

Demonstrates behavior consistent with the organizational culture

1. Continually maintain an outwardly positive demeanor toward coworkers and visitors
2. Maintain a team-oriented approach and can-do attitude
3. Assist other team members and departments in their responsibilities when help is needed
4. Display flexibility in an ever-changing environment
5. Assist in training and share business-related knowledge with fellow employees

Qualifications

Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in education or related field and demonstrated with experience in formal or informal education.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Design- Generates creative solutions; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions

Customer Service - Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service. Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.

Oral/Written Communication - Demonstrates group presentation skills. Writes clearly and informatively

Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Leadership - Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Displays passion and optimism.

Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Contributes to profits and revenue

Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with alternate plan. Covers work responsibilities when absent.

Initiative - Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment. Manages competing demands. Changes approach or method to best fit the situation. Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Develops realistic action plans.

Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

Quality- Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

Computer Skills- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software and Spreadsheet software.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises all volunteers. Supervises on-site employees in the absence of the Site Director and Coordinator. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Noise Level - The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

Climate – Must be able to work outdoors for moderate amounts of time.

Highly Occupied Space – Must be able to work in extremely crowded spaces with a large number of people.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions.

Physical Demands

The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to manipulate objects, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must be able to talk and hear.

Employees of Discovery Place should uphold the mission, vision and values of the organization. We strive to provide exceptional service through four core values: uncommon courtesy, the pursuit of personal excellence, teamwork and inclusion. We value the diversity of opinions and intellectual thought and encourage an environment where employees can share ideas openly.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. Other duties may be assigned. This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.