THE HUDSON RIVER MUSEUM (hrm.org)is the largest cultural institution in Westchester County and an AAM-accredited, multidisciplinary complex that draws its identity from its site on the banks of the Hudson River, seeking to broaden the cultural horizons of all its visitors. The Museum collections focus on 19th-century through contemporary American Art; Glenview, an 1876 house on the National Register of Historic Places; Hudson Riverama, an environmental teaching gallery; a state-of-the-art, 120-seat planetarium, and a 400-seat outdoor amphitheater. It presents exhibitions, programs, teaching initiatives, research, collection, preservation, and conservation – a wide range of activities that interpret its collections, interests and communities.

This role will report to the Assistant Director, Education

The Museum Educator is responsible for a unique museum studies partnership with grades Pre-K through 2 in an underserved public elementary school adjacent to the Museum. This is a full-time [one year contract, with potential to extend] position dedicated to the facilitation of the entire partnership, including planning with administration and staff, teaching students and teachers at the school and the Museum, coordinating all activities and providers, scheduling, curating the year-end exhibition, and maintaining strong communication between the Museum and the school. The Museum Educator will develop a collaborative relationship with the administration, staff, and students through comprehensive, year-long STEAM programming connecting the school and the Museum, founded on object-based learning, the development of critical thinking skills through observation and inquiry, knowledge-building communities, and project-enhanced learning. The “HRM Museum Studies Partnership for Learning” prioritizes both staff development and direct student services and connects teachers and students with Museum professionals, artists, scientists, and historians to form a museum/school community, building capacity and ensuring sustainability. Through lessons and workshops at the school and the Museum and the culminating student exhibition, the Partnership will make connections between Visual and English Language Literacies, offering a tangible methodology to connect the Visual and Performing Arts with English language Arts, Language Acquisition, Science, Math, and Social Studies. Position to start immediately.

Key Responsibilities:  

  • Serves as Museum Educator, Manager, and Coordinator for the dedicated school partnership

  • Oversees all activities related to the Partnership; coordinates all partnership activities with museum personnel, including Education staff and docents

  • Plans and teaches lessons and conducts workshops at school and museum

  • Collects, maintains, and organizes written and visual documentation of partnership

  • Manages communication, planning, logistics, scheduling, paperwork and reports associated with the school partnership

  • Negotiates details of scheduling at the school and Museum with school liaison and Museum staff

  • Serves as the Museum’s representative for the Partnership school activities, meetings, outreach, etc.

  • Secures all materials and supplies required for lesson and workshop delivery, and preparation and installation of in-school exhibition

  • Collaborates with per diem curriculum writer; identifies, plans with, and supervises per diem teaching artists; works with preparator for in-school exhibition; works with consultant in web development of feature dedicated to exhibiting student work

  • Communicates and shares data with program evaluator provided by the school district

  • Performs other duties as assigned

Education, Experience and Skills:

Master’s degree in Museum Education, Museum Studies, Art History, Museum Studies, Education, or relevant field from an accredited institution and minimum five (5) years of experience in museum education, arts administration, classroom teaching, or related area within the museum or education field; or Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Education, Fine Arts, or relevant field from an accredited institution and eight (8) years of experience in museum education, arts administration, classroom teaching, or related area within the museum or education field. NYS Teaching Certification preferred.

  • Excellent knowledge of museum education pedagogy and practice
  • Ability to model museum education best practices for school staff in the classroom and at the Museum

  • Excellent planning, project management and organizational skills

  • Ability to handle sensitive material and information

  • High level of written and oral communication skills

  • Knowledge of NY State and Core Curriculum State Standards and 21st Century Learning Skills

  • Ability to organize a cohesive and polished student exhibition that demonstrates partnership outcomes met during the school year

  • Demonstrated experience in teaching young children (Pre-K through Grade 2) of all abilities, with experience in differentiated instructional methods.

  • Demonstrated experience in high level teacher professional development

  • Ability to interact in a professional manner with school and district administration

  • Possession of strong organizational skills, with attention to detail,  and ability manage multiple priorities simultaneously

  • Ability to be flexible, communicate and negotiate effectively, and work collaboratively in a team environment

  • Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community and exercise proper situational protocol

  • Proficiency in Microsoft office software, and other specific computer programs related to areas of responsibility. Familiarity with Google Docs.

  • Spanish language skills a plus.

Benefits: The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees, including:

  • Medical, dental, and life insurance

  • 403(b) basic retirement plan

  • Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, personal days and Museum holidays

  • Flexible spending accounts (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)

  • Discount for staff in Museum shop

  • Access and free admission to numerous museums and cultural institutions

  • TransitChek program

To apply: Send cover letter and resume to employment@hrm.org. Include “HRM Museum Educator” in the subject line.