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Careers and Volunteering

Museum Educator for School Program Position Description

Department: Interpretation
Title: Museum Teacher for School Program
Status: Overtime eligible (Non-Exempt)

Work Schedule:    
No more than 24 hours per week. Total number of scheduled hours varies based on need. Employee’s schedule will be a combination of weekdays, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Job Summary:    
The incumbent supports Hillwood’s school programs by delivering pre-set curriculum for virtual and in-person programs and supporting the school programs with scheduling, supply management and teacher communication, and school outreach. 

Essential Duties:    

  • Teaching virtual and in-person school programs; using existing lesson plans for 3 virtual programs and 7 in-person programs. 
  • Applies understanding of youth audience characteristics and effective teaching techniques to teach virtual and in-person experiences that inspire creativity and foster critical thinking for groups.
  • Helps visitors make connections between program activities and Hillwood’s collections, stories, and exhibitions.
  • Monitor program request form & scheduling spreadsheet for new inquiries
  • Respond to teacher inquiries about program content, schedule changes, etc. with accuracy, clarity, timeliness, and professionalism
  • Verify resource availability (onsite room, Zoom mtg, bus parking, etc.)
  • Schedule in Outlook to communicate program details (and reserve space for onsite)
  • Create setup diagrams & submit work requests for in-person programs
  • Monitor and maintain supplies/materials; order supplies when needed and submit paperwork for purchases
  • Set up and clean up materials for in-person school programs with art projects
  • Spread awareness of and interest in Hillwood’s school program offerings
  • Maintain teacher contact list to include updating information about existing teacher contacts and prospecting for new contacts through internet research
  • Promote programs through partners such as DC Collaborative and DCPS arts office
  • Send teachers direct, personalized emails to promote programs
  • Send teachers post-program invite flyer to visit Hillwood & program evaluation survey
  • Compile and report on survey results
  • Updated and maintain attendance spreadsheets
  • Regularly report on school program attendance and participant feedback
  • Periodic updates to lesson plans to reflect current practice and respond to participant feedback
  • Supports additional department programs, as needed and as schedule allows
  • Communicates effectively with Interpretation, Visitor Services, Facilities and Security to address immediate program and visitor needs and concerns.

Organizational Relationships

  • Reports to the Head of Youth Audiences 
  • Works closely with the Director of Interpretation, Head of Adult Audiences, and Public Programs Manager

Requirements:        
Knowledge and Experience

  • Demonstrated experience in facilitating or teaching in informal or formal settings, especially with youth audiences.
  • Experience with or open to learning basic art-making activities.
  • Interested in learning about Hillwood’s collections, founder, exhibitions and audiences.
  • BS/BA and Master’s degree in Museum Education or a related field from an accredited college/university is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

  • A warm, empathetic, enthusiastic, and engaging communicator.
  • A friendly and engaging teaching presence.
  • Flexibility, patience, and a positive outlook.
  • A self-directed learner.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
  • A motivated and resourceful problem solver. 
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Demonstrate commitment to, enthusiasm for, and comfort with a diverse range of people.
  • Committed to reflective practice.
  • Ability to meet the yearly time commitment.
  • Regularly communicate effectively, professionally, and in a timely and responsive manner in English in person, over the telephone, through email, and other electronic means.
  • Basic comfort level with and regular use of email and computers.
  • A commitment to the spirit of Hillwood’s mission, vision, and interpretive messages and methods, and keeps them at the forefront of all professional endeavors. 

Work Environment:    
The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of the job or may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the phone, through email and other electronic means, move about their work area, between buildings and the campus grounds, stand for extended periods of time (rain or shine, except during severe weather conditions), ascend/descend stairs, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up and/or carry up to 25 pounds unassisted. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent Hillwood may do so without undue hardship. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

Notice:    
The preceding job description indicates the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time nor does it proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.