Museum Educator

SUMMARY: Provides onsite and offsite educational programs for scheduled groups in the natural science and/or historical area(s) which incorporate the mission and philosophy of the Museum. Part-time, as needed

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES including but not limited to the following:

Conducts on-site and off-site education programs; these programs include but are not limited to, walking tours, handling Florida native animals, working in a fresh water system, being around farm animals, and other Florida environments and teaching summer/day camps;

Provides enjoyable, educational museum activities in a safe and secure environment;

Interacts with the general public by answering questions, conducting programs, and making public appearances on behalf of the Museum as needed;

Contributes to maintaining high morale among all Tallahassee Museum employees;

Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers, and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, customers and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the Tallahassee Museum’s good image;

Reports all requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments to the Director of Programs in order to maintain good will within the Museum;

Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from persons in order to maintain good will toward the Tallahassee Museum.

Presents programs which are developed by the Museum. Any changes to these programs must be approved by the Director of Programs. Requests for changes should be submitted in writing to the Director of Programs.

May request to design and give historical and naturalistic hands-on programs and workshops.

Scheduled to work on an as needed basis. The Museum reserves the right to cancel the use of an educator, or the entire program, at any time, or to explore providing this service through volunteers, or other staff.

Schedule may include but not limited to weekdays, weekends, nights, and overnight programs;

Must maintain Museum animal handling certification; these animals include but are not limited to Florida native reptiles, small mammals, and birds of prey

Must arrive at the location for the program allowing for sufficient set-up time so the program is ready to begin before the scheduled starting time;

Will use own transportation for off-site programs and will be reimbursed by the Museum for their expense at the Museum’s mileage reimbursement rate;

Will comply with all Museum policies, procedures and practices.

Must become aware of the Museum’s facilities, programs, events, and activities in order to better assist visitors;

Responsible for the security of the Museum’s buildings, furnishings, equipment and collections;

Responsible for being completely familiar with Museum’s “collections handling” and/or “animal handling”

guidelines;

Enforces Museum rules and regulations and initiates a quick response if required.

Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Will not supervise employees or volunteers.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT S:

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.

Bachelor’s degree in education, science, history, or related field (two to three years of college will be considered);

Teaching experience in formal and/or informal settings required;

Excellent communication and public speaking skills required;

Ability to speak intelligently and diplomatically with the public;

Ability to use scientific equipment when teaching programs;

Must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;

Enthusiastic and collaborative team attitude;

Versatility and initiative required;

Dedication, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic required;

Computer competency required (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook required);

Must pass background screen required by Leon County Schools and other background screenings as needed;

Must have a safe driving record;

Must have reliable transportation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

Frequently required to walk the 52-acre museum property; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

Sometimes required to sit at a computer;

Must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds;

Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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.

Frequently works indoors and shares a work space with other staff and departments;

Frequently works in outside weather conditions and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions as well as extremes in hot and cold weather;

Frequently works outdoors around animal hair, fur, dander, etc.;

Noise level in the work environments varies from quiet to loud;

Subject to bites, stings, scratches and scrapes;

Occasionally works near mechanical parts.