Description

Job Title: Part-Time Seasonal Summer Nights Program Assistant

Job Type: Seasonal Part Time, Hourly

Department: Summer Evening Programming

Reports To: Director of Education and Tour Programs

Effective date: Late May/Early June, 2024 for training and season is Friday and Saturday June 7, 2024 until end of July 2024 from 5:30pm – 9:30pm and July 3, 2024 from 5:30pm – 10:30pm.

Job Summary:

Seasonal Part-Time Summer Nights Program Assistant responsibilities include coordinating and managing a wide range of public programs during Summer Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. This includes hosting speakers, performers and partner organizations, and working with the General Manager and Front of House Supervisor to train and oversee Summer Nights staff. Please note that all Seasonal Part-Time Summer Nights Staff will spend their workday in outdoor conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Coordination: Coordinate and manage a wide range of Saturday Night programs including tours, immersive education programs, performances, and speakers. This includes:
  • Hosting speakers, performers, and partner organizations
  • Overseeing staff and programming set up/breakdown with General Manager and Front of House Supervisor
• Facilitation: At busy times, leads public programs including guided tours, and hands on activities, ensuring engaging, informative and dialogue-driven experiences for visitors.
• Training:The Part-Time Seasonal Summer Nights Program Assistant will implement training sessions for Summer Nights Staff related to guided programming.
• Collaboration: Coordinate with General Manager during Summer Nights, meet with members of the programming team, and programming partners as needed.

Other project support as needed or directed by Director of Education and Tour Programs

Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent at multitasking, managing time, thinking strategically and solving problems.
• Adaptable to changing circumstances and needs.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and facilitate education programs and training
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
• Able to listen and engage with diverse perspectives, and create a positive group dynamic even with the most difficult subject matter.
• Able to work well independently, but also enjoy collaboration and supporting your coworkers.
• Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Available to work Friday and Saturday evenings.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in History, Education, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience in education, museum education, public history, or a related role.
• A leader who has some management experience.

Physical Requirements:

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a ruin and working conditions are not always ideal; Seasonal Part-time Summer Nights staff spend their workday in outdoor conditions regardless of weather.

• Able to lift items up to 30 pounds.
• Able to move through crowded public spaces easily.

Salary: $19.50/hour

About ESPHS:

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a museum interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the site of the world’s first penitentiary. The facility pioneered the large-scale use of solitary confinement in the early 19th century and housed approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation. The building itself was an architectural wonder: it had running water and central heat before the White House, and its revolutionary wagon-wheel design has been copied by more than 300 prisons around the globe. Although the prison now stands in ruin, its story remains relevant today.

Today, Eastern State Penitentiary attracts hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world each year to explore the site’s fascinating past and contemplate some of the most critical issues facing our nation. Its innovative public history program draws connections to contemporary justice reform through an approach that values multiple perspectives, amplifies marginalized voices, and respects a broad range of visitors’ interests and learning styles.

 Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation that operates the penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark, as an historic site and museum.

Commitment to Diversity:

We strongly believe in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that a diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and better decision-making. As such, we actively seek out and value job applicants from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, ages, or disability. Our commitment to DEI extends throughout our hiring process, ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all candidates. We firmly believe that by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we can create a stronger, more vibrant, and more successful organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: 

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

ESPHS strongly believes in second chances and, as such, is committed to providing appropriate employment opportunities to those who have been incarcerated. As a condition of employment, all individuals who accept an employment offer must complete a criminal background check. Eastern State will review any criminal record and make appropriate employment decisions in accordance with applicable law and its policies.