Director of Visitor Engagement
Great Lakes Science Center is seeking a full-time Director of Visitor Engagement to lead an exciting team of experience specialists and oversee a dynamic range of public programs. YOU are a creative problem-solver who loves to work with people in a fast-paced environment. Your energy, flexibility, and vision help you develop and deliver engaging, fun, and interesting public programs and nurture strong, collaborative teams. WE are a science center on the cusp of reshaping our public experience for 300,000 annual visitors. We create exciting scientific programs, relevant school-group experiences, and meaningful visitor interactions with a diverse team of staff and volunteers that includes scientists, educators, and actors. We believe science is messy and are seeking a leader to help take our visitor experience to the next level.
In this senior-level role, you will:
· Lead a team of up to 20 Education Specialists and 20 volunteers to create, deliver, and assess public programs. Create opportunities for staff development and foster an environment of growth and accountability.
· Serve as a museum-wide model for the best practices in visitor interaction and informal learning, integrating GLSC mission, vision, and strategic goals into daily operations. Contribute to and help lead larger discussions about the GLSC visitor experience.
· Develop, implement, and update training and advancement guidelines for Visitor Engagement staff and volunteers to complement and inspire other departments and Education divisions.
· Oversee, guide program development for, supervise implementation of, and help evaluate all public programs. Work closely with colleagues to help with similar processes for school programs, too.
· Drive yourself and your team to meet deadlines, deliver great experiences on time and on budget, and ensure the safety of staff and visitors.
· Create goals, schedules, budgets, training guidelines, evaluation plans, inspirational manifestos, and other guiding materials as necessary.
· Work with other departmentsundefinedincluding Marketing, Guest Services, Facilities, and Developmentundefinedto design strategies for enhancing operations and engaging with the public and supporters.
· Join or lead interdepartmental teams related to special exhibitions or events.
· Serve as part of the Education senior leadership team to ensure high-quality experiences and presenters across the audience spectrum.
· Follow trends in informal science education and put relevant research into practice. Network with informal science providers, schools, community organizations, and Science Center partners to support, grow, and position Science Center programs in the region.
You’re a fearless ambassador for hands-on learning, love people, and have 5+ years’ experience nurturing and leading large teams. You bring at least 7 years’ experience in the museum/science center, education, theatre, and/or science fields. If you’re a teacher, you prefer a test tube to textbooks and love to teach outside the classroom; if you’re in theatre, you think science is interesting and important; if you’re a scientist, you love to share your enthusiasm with others. You’re a believer in continuous improvement and think you can always help a program or presenter to be better. Bonus points if you’re savvy with new media and have a Masters degree in a relevant subject.
Interested? Let us know at http://museumjobs.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/jobs/jobskey.cfm?s=Great+Lakes+Science+Center.
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Job Opportunities Related to Museum Theatre
Museum Educator,School Programs
Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Requirements: Individual must be a thoughtful practitioner with a B.A. in art history, history, anthropology, education, visual arts, or a related field, with at least one year of museum education experience. Excellent research, communication, organization, and interpersonal skills are necessary, as is experience teaching K-12 students in a gallery setting. Individual must have knowledge of child development and museum education theory and evaluation methods, as well as experience developing lessons, educational materials, and public programs. Candidate should have a strong desire to work with schoolchildren and an interest in collaborating with schoolteachers and Museum staff at all levels. Additional museum experience is strongly preferred.
Responsibilities: The Museum Educator will collaborate with staff in the Education Division on the development and execution of interpretive programs and resources for students and teachers. His/her primary programming and teaching responsibilities will be working with school-based teachers and administrators to conceive, implement, and manage single visits and multi-visit programs that include professional development for teachers. Individual will research, prepare, teach, and evaluate school programs related to the Museum's permanent collection and special exhibitions. Educator will also participate in the Education Division's Teaching Lab, collaborate on teacher workshops, contribute to the development of enhanced access services for audiences with special needs, and prepare teaching materials for special exhibitions as time permits. Individual will assist in other projects as needed, working with colleagues throughout the Education Division and the Museum.
Reports to: School Programs Manager
Work schedule: 35-hour work week, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend hours
Salary: $32,198
To apply: Please send a cover letter and résumé via email (preferred) to school.programs@brooklynmuseum.org or via mail to Brooklyn Museum, Attn. School Programs, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11238.
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Demonstrator/Actor
Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver CO
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science seeks a Demonstrator/Actor.
The Demonstrator provides educational, engaging, accurate, appropriate, dynamic, and interactive programming through demonstrations and use of discovery learning facilitation techniques. The Demonstrator will perform and facilitate science demonstrations, which may include shows/plays, performing as astronaut while wearing simulated space suit, presenting organ dissections, and facilitating activities for young children. This is a Part-Time, term position.
Successful candidates will have a minimum of 1 year experience in teaching, performing, or facilitating programs.
Team-minded attitude and enthusiasm a must.
Must be able to pass drug screen and background check
Must be able to work both Saturday and Sunday as well as, some evenings and holidays.
Background in early childhood education, acting, or science (space, health, or natural history) preferred.
Bilingual Spanish-English preferred. 18-25 hr/wk including weekends, holidays and evenings.
Audition and interview required.
Please submit resume and cover letter no later than May 13, 2013.
Be advised that due to the high volume of applicants, we are only able to directly contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit the needs of the position, however please check your inbox and junk mail for any correspondence. No phone calls please.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Museum is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff committed to serving the needs of all our visitors and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Visit www.dmns.org>About Us>Jobs for more information.
Application Deadline * Monday, May 13, 2013
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Facilitator 1
Museum of Science and Industry
Department: Guest Experiences
Status: Temporary Part Time (until 09/03/2013)
Responsibilities
This individual will engage guests with scientific exhibit content in a positive, fun, inclusive and educational capacity. Provide compelling and personalized exhibit experiences throughout the Museum. Perform core operational functions of exhibits, wayfinding, and opening and closing of Museum.
- Learns exhibit content and exhibit activities grounded in science, technology, engineering, medicine and aviation
- Engages guest participation in Museum experience with questions, games, activities and education content related to exhibit and museum
- Facilitates exhibit activities with guests
- Performs core operational functions of exhibits and museum including wayfinding, and opening and closing procedures
- Participates in team meetings to create and discuss new exhibit experiences
- Learns exhibit content and related areas
- Partners with volunteers and educators to enhance experiences
- Tracks and records guests' frequently asked questions
- Assists guests who appear to be or are lost, or guests with any issues or problems
- Anticipates guest issues and proactively solves guest issues and needs
- Trains new employees on exhibit content
Qualifications
- One year of college or 1-2 years' related or relevant experience
- Ability to learn and teach exhibit content in a museum environment
- Ability to effectively present content in exhibits throughout the museum in both one-on-one and group situations in an engaging, compelling, energetic manner
- Ability to learn math related to science content
- Ability to learn and engage guests with science content
- Ability to anticipate guests' needs and solve guest issues
- Positive attitude required: strong love for working with people in a fun, educational atmosphere
- Prior museum educational experience, science experience, or theatre experience is important
- Ability to talk and engage guests for long periods of time is required
- Ability to handle several activities at one time
- Must be able and willing to work weekends and holidays
To apply, please visit: http://www.msichicago.org/about-the-museum/jobs/opportunities/temporary/facilitator-1/
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Coordinator, Floor Development
Museum of Science and Industry
Department: Guest Experiences
Status: Full Time
Responsibilities
This individual will coordinate, develop and implement education based presentations, current news demonstrations, activities, events and guest experiences. Could include, but is not limited to visitor, community, and school audiences:
- Research, develop and implement floor development presentations and curricula in accordance with the Education and Guest Experiences Division.
- Review existing content material, strategies, and research/evaluation to make recommendations and implement approved modifications.
- Continually monitor floor development activity or event for quality assurance and relevance to applicable state and national education standards.
- Partner and collaborate with staff, volunteers, and guest experiences team to determine program methodology.
- Facilitate meetings with staff, volunteers, and guest experiences team.
- Train staff, volunteers and interns on program content, interpretative strategies and best practices.
- Develop and maintain detailed program development and implementation project plans.
- Coordinate with all necessary museum divisions to develop facilitated experiences.
- Coordinate programs and interview special guests.
- Communicate and collaborate with internal staff and external partners regarding program logistics. Act as liaison with HR, Volunteer Office, Education and other MSI departments.
- Compile financial reports and maintain program budgets.
- Track and report program attendance.
- Maintain program documents, including photographs, anecdotal evidence and progress.
- Assist with other guest programs as assigned.
Qualifications
- Strong project management skills.
- Evidence of proactive problem-solving skills.
- Evidence of creative and innovative thinking.
- Bachelor’s degree in science or education; and three to five years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Theatre training or experience is critical.
- Computer design experience is a plus.
- Prior informal teaching and curriculum development experience required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Bi-lingual is a plus.
To apply, please visit: http://www.msichicago.org/about-the-museum/jobs/opportunities/full-time/coordinator-floor-development/
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Director of Interpretation
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
REPORTS TO: Vice President of Experience Development and Family Learning
OVERVIEW: Provides the vision for the content and operations of the world’s largest children’s museum’s interpretative family learning experiences throughout its exhibits, galleries and theaters. Develops and implements interpretation and facilitation programs which of the highest quality and that foster family learning. Ensures the operational effectiveness of the interpretative experiences within the Museum including those within: exhibits, galleries and theaters. Stays current on effective interpretative and theater techniques and works to implement new experiences in museum learning environments to grow new and repeat attendance and further engage audiences. Works collaboratively with all division directors to provide an effective and extraordinary learning environment/experience for visitors.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Ensures that all interpretation activities are both age-appropriate and appropriate for fostering family learning relative to the content presented in exhibits.
2. Develops and implements a comprehensive interpretation program for all exhibits including museum theater and facilitated experiences for the museum environment in general. Works collaboratively with other directors in the to provide a seamless visitor experience.
3. Actively recruits, hires, nurtures and retains well-qualified staff and volunteers who have proven ability to work effectively with families and exemplify the museum’s belief in family learning. Serves as a mentor to staff members, providing for their continuing professional development needs. Works with staff to ensure that all interpretative activities are of the highest quality.
4. Responsible for the development and implementation of the professional development/training programs for interpretation staff to ensure high quality interpretive staff. Identifies, seeks, secures and nurtures relationships with theater education programs in Indiana and Midwest colleges and universities to grow a viable pool of interns and entry level staff candidates. Motivates and inspires staff to stay focused on their positive and effective interactions with visitors, helping each to see his/her value to the total visitor experience. Supervises staff positively, performing timely assessments.
5. Ensures that efficient and effective departmental organizational structures are in place to carry out daily operations and decision-making. Works closely with other operational leadership staff to facilitate a seamless visitor experience.
6. Tracks metrics related to program attendance, audience engagement and capacity of total attendance participating in interpretation activities; utilizes findings to effective schedule programs to best serve audiences.
7. Oversees the financial planning and expenditure of resources throughout the operational areas of responsibility, i.e, all galleries/exhibits including Dinosphere, Lilly Theater and the Planetarium.
8. Works with director of school services to find synergy and ensure that the interpretation programs meld with the needs of all audiences. Provides interpretative staff for the school services exhibit experience.
9. Maintains contact with museum professionals and external stakeholders related to interpretation programs. Stays current in the latest interpretative techniques as well as in the area of acting/theatre and creative drama. Represents the museum in fund-raising efforts as needed in these areas.
10. Oversees the development of comprehensive show seasons for the Lilly Theater and Planetarium. Selects and develops shows that meet Museum family learning expectations and attract audiences.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts field from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred. Strong background in theatre, arts, humanities or sciences or related areas including, but not limited to, early childhood /elementary/secondary education, and/or arts administration or museum studies.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of how children and families learn; minimum of five years experience in museum interpretation work, or formal or informal educational environments and/or theatre or combination of all three.
3. Five years of leadership and management experience. Sound knowledge of acting and interpretative techniques and educational concepts and methods that dictate strong interpretation programs.
4. Proven skills in motivating and inspiring staff by keeping tasks focused on strategic direction and results. Ability to model a collaborative work environment, through interactions with peers and staff reporting to others. Ability to bring a very diverse staff together to create a working team.
5. Proven leadership skills in mentoring and nurturing a diverse staff. Ability to develop/implement appropriate professional development programs for staff. Personally exhibits the belief in life-long learning.
6. Excellent communication skills; i.e. outstanding interpersonal skills, both verbal and written, ability to “get along” and nurture relationships with a wide variety of people; good organizational skills and ability to distinguish and communicate priorities and processes.
7. Experience in developing and sustaining a network of external professional and stakeholder relationships and the skills to negotiate, develop partnerships and represent the institution in development efforts.
ADA REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must be able to perform extensive work in indoor environments, to perceive space, to read documents and diagrams and to view computer monitor.
2. Must be able to communicate in planning and execution of projects; strong presentations of ideas. Team and group dialog required for communication of plans and concepts.
3. Must be able to effectively communicate during group work, for telephone work, for group conversations for planning work.
4. Must be able to safely use equipment and materials.
5. Must be able to lift objects up to 30 pounds of weight.
6. Required ability to visit and work at multiple locations. Must possess ability to negotiate local travel via conventional transportation, as well as regional and international travel.
Apply online at: https://ats.navicus.com/careers/job.aspx?CompanyID=CHILDRENSMUSEUM&Website=Careers&RequisitionID=12&CurrentCompany=1
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