Public Programs Manager

Job Title: Public Programs Manager

Location: Hybrid - Selma, Alabama (on-site 2-3 days/week)

Reports To: CEO & Chief Strategy Officer/Founder

Supervises: Tourism Coordinator, Volunteer Team

Job Type: Part-Time (20-25 hours/week, some weekends and evenings required)

POSITION SUMMARY: We seek an organized, people-focused, and visionary Public Programs Manager to lead the development and expansion of dynamic, mission-driven experiences that honor Selma's legacy and activate community participation. This part-time, hybrid role oversees the Park's in-person and virtual tours, volunteer engagement, community programming, and visitor experience initiatives, including the on-site gift shop.

The Public Programs Manager will supervise the Tourism Coordinator and volunteers while leading all aspects of our tour program including scheduling, staffing, and outreach to recruit new tour groups. They will also manage the gift shop, volunteer coordination, help develop historically themed exhibits, and launch our virtual tour experiences. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a growing tourism program in a city rich with civil rights history and cultural heritage.

ABOUT FOOT SOLDIERS PARK: Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center (FSP), a nonprofit founded in 2021 by JoAnne Bland, aims to preserve Selma's civil rights history and foster economic revitalization. The organization plans to launch its campus in March 2026, focusing on community engagement and addressing systemic racism. FSP aspires to create living wage jobs and increase local voting rates.

Key Responsibilities

Visitor Experience & Tour Oversight

• Supervise the Tourism Coordinator and tour guides to ensure smooth execution of daily public, school, and group tours
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the tour department, including public, private, adult, K-12, and group tours
• Develop and manage tour schedules, ensuring adequate coverage and tour guide availability year-round.
• Lead outreach to schools, universities, and travel organizations to grow tour participation
• Build out a comprehensive tour infrastructure, including new tour scripts, docent training materials, evaluation processes, and scheduling systems
• Lead occasional tours as needed and support tour staff with coaching and troubleshooting
• Collect and analyze feedback from tour participants through surveys or interviews to assess satisfaction with the booking process, tour content, and overall experience, using insights to inform improvements
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to research, create, and install new tour-related exhibits and historical displays
• Provide regular reporting on tour performance, volunteer hours, and earned revenue streams
  
  

Gift Store & Inventory Oversight

• Guide product selection, vendor relationships, and inventory in collaboration with the Tourism Coordinator
• Ensure shop offerings are aligned with the Park's mission and visitor interests
• Maintain accurate inventory tracking and work with the finance team to monitor sales, purchases, financial records and restock needs
• Develop relationships with local artists, vendors, and wholesalers to ensure unique and mission-aligned product offerings
• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote the gift shop, launching new merchandise, seasonal sales, and exhibits
  
  

Volunteer Coordination

• Grow the organization's volunteer base through recruitment efforts (online platforms, partnerships, community outreach).
• Schedule and supervise volunteers across all areas, including tour support, events, and front desk assistance
• Conduct orientations, trainings, evaluations, and ongoing communication with volunteers
• Cultivate a welcoming and positive volunteer culture through engagement activities and appreciation efforts
• Track and report volunteer hours, satisfaction, and retention
  
  

Digital and Virtual Programming

• Lead the implementation and management of a new virtual tour component, including content creation, platform selection, and scheduling
• Coordinate training and volunteer/instructor support for virtual tour delivery
• Monitor virtual tour performance and use feedback to improve the experience
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with Selma and Alabama's cultural and civil rights history
• Retail or small business experience (especially in inventory or POS systems)
• Background in volunteer management, retail strategy, or digital storytelling
  
  

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in history, museum studies, hospitality, tourism, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in designing or managing public-facing programs
• . Demonstrated leadership in tourism, volunteer management, or educational programming
• S Strong communication, public speaking, and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Google Workspace, Zoom, scheduling tools, and point-of-sale platforms (e.g., Square)
• Flexible schedule with ability to work some weekends, evenings, and special events
• Passion for community history, social justice, and cultural preservation
  
  

Benefits

Schedule & Compensation

• Schedule: 20-25 hours/week, hybrid (on-site 2-3 days/week, including select weekends/events)
• Salary: $28,000
  
  

To Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, and three references to careers@footsoldierspark.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.