Director of Education and Public Engagement [di Rosa]

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

February 26, 2015

POSITION TITLE:                  Director of Education and Public Engagement

REPORTS TO:                       Executive Director

TERMS:                                  Exempt, Full-time

SUPERVISES:                       Visitor Services Manager, Volunteer Manager, Gatehouse Gallery personnel

Summary: The Director of Education and Public Engagement is responsible for overseeing di Rosa’s public programs and services to visitors.   This is a new position, created in response to exciting changes and opportunities facing the organization. We are seeking an innovative and enthusiastic individual capable of engaging and cultivating community relationships leading to diverse and dynamic experiences for our visitors and the surrounding region.  This position requires strong people and organizational skills, with experience in planning and managing concurrent and diverse activities and programs.

About di Rosa: di Rosa is a place that provokes the imagination and creative spirit of our time through celebration of the art and artists of Northern California in an extraordinary landscape.  Located on 217 scenic acres in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley, the di Rosa’s internationally-recognized art collection features 2,000 works in all media, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and video by artists working from the 1960s to the present. di Rosa hosts approximately 18,000 visitors per year for tours of the collection and a wide array of exhibitions and educational programs for all ages.

Major Responsibilities:

• Design and direct innovative and exciting programs that: animate and interpret the collection and changing exhibitions of the art of Northern California; help adult and youth audiences enjoy and deepen their understanding of art and the creative process; and inspire learning and engagement in the natural habitat and native environmental features of the site.
• Supervise and manage three department staff to ensure the effective management of public educational and interpretive activities.
• Oversee daily operations including scheduling and implementation of programs and tours, tracking of visitor and audience participation.
• Develop and supervise long-range planning activities for programs and operations and prepare and maintain budgets.
• Work with Curatorial staff and others to ensure the appropriateness of educational materials and programs for audiences of various ages and backgrounds. Work in collaboration with Curator to prepare educational materials related to collections and exhibitions.
• Oversee recruitment and training of volunteers working with the public, including docents and Gatehouse Gallery hosts.  Design training approach and oversee program of continuing education.  Work in collaboration with the Volunteer Council on stewardship and retention of docents and Gatehouse Hosts.
• Serve as liaison between di Rosa and primary and secondary schools, institutions of higher learning, and partner community institutions; represent di Rosa’s educational mission to the community at large.
• Serve as part of di Rosa’s Senior Management team, with the Executive Director, Curator, CFO/Administrative Director, and Development Director.
• Work collaboratively with other management and staff in the area of Public Relations, Site & Facilities and Volunteers in the preparation and implementation of public programs, including funding and promotion of educational activities both on and off site.

Working Conditions: Di Rosa is set amidst the agricultural zone of Napa’s Carneros wine-growing region. Applicants must be comfortable with and enjoy nature, including native waterfowl and domestic peacocks that roam freely amid the sculpture on the grounds. Must be able to actively lead and participate in tours on rugged terrain. Must possess a car and valid driver’s license and be willing to work nights and weekends.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• An excellent communicator including speaking and writing for internal purposes and external audiences

• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in developing educational programs
• Ability to manage a team and enjoy working with a diverse group in an informal, collaborative environment
• Broad knowledge of modern and contemporary art; strong familiarity with the art and artists of Northern California

• Trained and knowledgeable about current museum practices and education pedagogy, visitor experience strategies, and broad and diverse uses of means of connecting with the public (on-line, off site, and on site)
• Knowledge of project management, including organization, scheduling, budgeting, implementation, and program evaluation.
• Experienced in building interpretive plans and audience development plans that will help frame the approach to public engagement at di Rosa
• Experienced and knowledgeable about evaluation techniques and visitor studies strategies

• Savvy and seasoned in digital media and its applications
• Proven skills in common office computer programs: word processing, spreadsheets, email, database management, websites, and graphics.

Qualifications:

• Graduate degree (MA or MS) in education, museum studies, art history or another field related to di Rosa’s mission and programs
• Three to five years of experience in educational programs in a museum or cultural organization, including two years at a managerial or supervisory level with responsibility for designing and implementing programs.  An understanding of practices in museum education and experience with oversight and/or training of docents is important.
• Interest in and awareness of environmental issues is important.

Other Qualities:

• Creative, innovative, out-of-the-box thinker with the ability to infuse excitement into what he/she does and with others
• Ability to maintain a sense of humor, demonstrate flexibility, and meet deadlines gracefully under pressure
• Demonstrated commitment to community based partnerships and programming

• Able to contribute to a healthy internal culture and maintain relationships out in the community, with educators, and networks of supporters
• Diplomatic with a professional demeanor for presenting to the Board, donors, and members of the arts community and general community

Compensation and benefits: This is an exempt position. Benefits and compensation will be based on compensation history, breadth of experience and fit with the knowledge, skills and abilities described in this position description.

To Apply:  Send a letter of interest with resume, salary history, and three professional references to: Director of Education & Public Engagement Search, di Rosa, 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA 94559 or via email: michelle@dirosaart.org

Applications are in review and position will remain open until filled.

di Rosa is an equal opportunity employer and encourages residents of Napa and the North Bay region to apply.