Education Specialist - Museum jobs in Arizona

Description

Department:                        Education

Status:                                   Regular/Part-Time/Non-Exempt

                                                28 Hours Per Week

Reports to:                            Program Manager

Hourly Rate:                        $16.28/hr.

Summary:           

Acting on the principle that learning is a joy, the Children's Museum of Phoenix's mission is to engage the minds, muscles, and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them. With hands-on, interactive, exhibits designed for children ages birth to ten, the Museum focuses on learning through play, with emphasis on early childhood education and school-readiness. The Program & Garden Specialist represents and brings life to the mission of the Museum through our educational programs.

The Program & Garden Specialist works in and maintains our outdoor edible, educational garden, educates visitors about plants, and conducts workshops/classes. The Specialist should take pleasure in physical and outdoor work. Additionally, they will be working in the garden while the museum is open and should offer garden-based education to children and their caretakers through guest engagement.

The primary duty of the Program & Garden Specialist is to provide instruction of Museum-developed educational curriculum for public and group programs both at the Museum and possible off-site venues. Also assists with set-up, clean-up, and preparation of program materials for community partners, instructors, and teaching artists.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in the development and implementation of Museum programming.
• Facilitates Museum programming as assigned in our classrooms, KIDchen, Children’s Garden, and pop-up programs throughout the Museum.
• Assists in reaching monthly programming attendance goals by promoting Museum programs and recruiting patrons to participate.
• Utilizes ticketing software to conduct registration and sales for Museum programs.
• Maintains current knowledge of program content being delivered.
• Participates in the evaluation of Museum programming.
• Prepare and maintain materials and lessons for Museum programming.
• Provides an epic Museum program experience with an enthusiastic and friendly attitude while facilitating programs.
• Encourages continued support for the Museum's public programs.
• Assists in administrative tasks, such as preparing program signage and attendance.
• Ability to effectively engage with all visitors, including those with different learning styles in a positive manner.
• Primary responsibility will be the care of the edible garden in our Move It! exhibit outside.
• Planting and maintenance of garden beds and containers
• Irrigation and fertilization of garden beds and containers
• Deadheading of annuals and perennials
• Pruning, mulching, watering trees, shrubs, and vines
• Weeding and composting
• Garden renovation and bed amendment.
• Planting, transplanting and propagation of plant material.
• Sustains an open, supportive, and collaborative relationship with the Exhibits, Education, and Facilities
• Build relationships with nurseries and landscaping companies to acquire plants and garden supplies.
• Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Qualifications

Qualification/Requirements:

• Teaching experience and/or experience working with children and families.
• Strong education background (Preschool 5^th grade, all subject areas, and special needs)
• Excellent communication skills
• Works well independently and as part of a team
• Detail-oriented with commitment to the highest-quality of work
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to interact courteously with a variety of visitors and staff.
• Professional and appropriate dress/demeanor
• Capability to improvise/interact spontaneously with visitors.
• Must have a fun, positive, team-oriented, can-do attitude.
• Commitment to diversity and track record of effective work with diverse audiences
• Practical understanding of ages and stages of child development
• Computer literacy in Microsoft office.
• Availability to work Saturday mornings.
• Must pass a background check.
• Eco-minded

Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or related field preferred
• Teaching credential or certification preferred.
• Experience working with children and large crowds preferred.
• Minimum 1-year professional teaching and/or experience working with children and families.
• Early childhood education experience preferred.
• Experience in gardening, cooking, and the performing arts is beneficial in this position.

Physical Requirements:

• This is a physically demanding job maintaining the Children’s Garden requires standing, walking, kneeling, crawling, stooping, bending, and climbing, as well as carrying and/or lifting materials. The Specialist will spend a lot of time working outside gardening and educating children. Must be able to stand for up to 8 hours. Must be able to see well and able to read fine print. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Environmental Requirements:

• Most work will be outside in the Move It! exhibit, this is not a climate-controlled environment. Some of the work will be in a standard shop environment; frequently subject to warehouse, garden, and storage facility to transport items. May also be exposed to extreme weather conditions when working outside. This includes working in extreme Arizona summer temperatures, possibly more than 100 degrees. Must be able to work in an open area with other employees.

CMoP provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

The Children's Museum of Phoenix is an at-will employer.  This means that both you and the museum reserve the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason with or without notice or reassign you or change your compensation.