Education Outreach Coordinator [Sandy Spring Museum]

The Sandy Spring Museum is a private, independently operated museum located between Washington DC and Baltimore.  The Museum is entering an exciting period of growth – embarking on a new strategic vision, which opens up the interpretation of local history to the entire community.  We are looking for a team member who has experience working in a community-focused organization, who brings energy, enthusiasm, and an entrepreneurial approach to his/her work, and who is creative and self-motivated.

As the museum is in a renewal phase, this position requires someone who wants to be involved with a project from its inception and who has experience creating a new program and seeing it through to its successful launch.

Primary Responsibilities

This position is responsible for conducting outreach into the community in order to create meaningful educational experiences for audiences of all ages.  There are three main components:  creating programs for school children and adults; developing special events geared towards families; and leading community participation in the creation of small-scale exhibits.   We are specifically seeking someone who has a track record of going beyond the standard museum offerings of field trips, lectures, and tours of static exhibits. 

PROGRAMMING

Plan for a diverse assortment of programming geared towards adult audiences, which may include discussion groups, hands-on activities, book signings, workshops, and so on.

Design programming so as to appeal to a diverse audience

Help build audience through community outreach and involving volunteers

Plan program schedule at least four months in advance

Coordinate system for tracking program registration

Collaborate with marketing staff to develop materials and a plan for marketing programs

Consider the potential for revenue generation in the development of programming

Manage group and school tours

Group Tours:

Create compelling offering of guided exhibit tours

Schedule adult tours and tour guides

Recruit and train guides to lead tours

               School Groups:

Revamp school field trip program so it generates more attendance and income

Maintain field trip curriculum so it remains current with school learning standards

Market field trips to public and private schools

Schedule field trips

Recruit, train and schedule volunteers to assist with tours

Conduct off-site school programming as needed

Summer Camp

Determine the best way to manage the museum’s summer camp, either continuing in-house management, or hiring an outside contractor.  If the camp is managed in-house, this position is responsible for the development, marketing, and oversight of the summer camp.  It will involve hiring and supervising camp counselors.  If the camp is managed by a contractor, this position will work collaboratively as necessary to facilitate the work of the contractor.

EVENTS

Plan for several major kid-focused or family-focused events throughout the year, for example the annual family holiday party, Family Fun Day, a storytelling festival, and a Makers Faire.

Beginning at least six months in advance, conceive, design, plan and implement events from start to finish

               Oversee event planning committee, staffed primary with volunteers

               Develop and manage budget for each event

Collaborate with marketing staff to develop materials and a plan for marketing events

Identify potential collaborators for events and manage their participation

Recruit, schedule and manage volunteers to staff events

EXHIBITS

Coordinate “Local Traditions,” a new community-centric exhibit program.  Local Traditions is an outreach program designed to document contemporary history and involve the community in the creation of new exhibits.   

               Conduct outreach into community to build interest and identify participants/partners

Work with community members to document their stories

Identify artifacts for inclusion in exhibits

Work with volunteers to help facilitate various parts of this program, such as research and writing of exhibit script

Work with staff curator and contractual exhibit designer for exhibit installation

Oversee installation

Collaborate with marketing staff to develop materials and a plan for marketing events

OTHER  

Work to enhance the overall mission of the museum by working collaboratively with staff and volunteers.  Other duties as assigned.

Necessary Skills:

Bachelors degree required; masters preferred.  Must be fluent in all Microsoft Office applications.  Preferred experience working with databases.  Highly organized and efficient with proven ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.  Excellent writing and speaking skills.  Professional demeanor and comfort interacting with the public and museum volunteers.  Entrepreneurial approach to work.   You must have a minimum of three years of paid experience in a related field as a minimum requirement.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to aweiss@sandyspringmuseum.org.  The deadline for applying is August 1, 2013 but applications will be reviewed as they come in, so you are encouraged to apply early.

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