Date: July, 2017

Reports to: Deputy Director

Employment Status: Full-Time/Exempt

The San Diego Museum of Man’s mission is to inspire human connections by exploring the human experience. We aim to hold a space for discourse on topics that matter and a place where we keep the fun in profundity. The Museum, housed in an architectural gem at the heart of Balboa Park, is open 362 days each year. Our staff demonstrates great flexibility, generosity, kindness, humor, excellent judgment, and attention to detail. We love our community, our visitors and our team! Commitment to a team approach is a must and a clear perspective is appreciated. If you like being around hard-working, welcoming, appreciative idealists with no shortage of opinions, please join us. Be part of making our community better by working in a museum that aims to be part of the solution.

Description: Director of Education & Public Engagement

The San Diego Museum of Man (SDMoM or the Museum) is seeking a Director of Education & Public Engagement to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Deputy Director, this position will contribute to the strategic development and growth of SDMoM as a first-class and high functioning institution.

The Director of Education & Public Engagement will set short- and long-term vision for comprehensive, decolonized social betterment-oriented programming; create, implement, and maintain “proFUNd” programs that support 21^st century skills acquisition, global citizenship and reflect the San Diego Museum of Man’s (SDMoM) mission; serve on the collaborative exhibit development team and serve as primary visionary for exhibits, immersive media-based experiences and other signature experiences; and ensure museum experiences that move, empower, surprise, delight, amaze, inspire and welcome visitors.

Priorities and Responsibilities:

• Work with Deputy Director and management team to set a vision and goals for 21^st century skills acquisition and cultural competency outcomes
• Develop and implement strategic programs rooted in social betterment and an understanding of decolonization and structural racism including community engagement-based programs, professional development and programs for schools, adults and families
• Collaborate with the exhibits and visitor experience teams to develop experimental and surprising interactive and participatory experiences throughout the museum
• Determine staffing roles within department; recruit, train, and supervise education and program staff and work with the Volunteer Manager to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers for programs
• Develop and evaluate strategic partnerships with partner organizations
• Develop and implement an outreach plan to grow new and repeat attendance to programs
• Insure that all programs are evaluated in a consistent manner
• Prepare reports on programs including narratives when appropriate
• Negotiate and manage contracts with teaching artists and consultants
• Oversee the efforts of any consultants hired to develop programs or resources
• Work with Deputy Director to develop and manage departmental budget
• Work with development staff in preparing, tracking, evaluating, and reporting of all education programming grants

Experience, Education, or Skills Required:

The ideal candidate must be a broadly experienced leader/manager who is a seasoned professional with excellent management and team-building skills and the following experience and qualifications:

• Understanding of equity, inclusion, and racial justice issues in museums, and experience fostering inclusive practice
• Understanding of decolonization as it applies to museums, and an interest in developing this area of expertise
• Minimum 5 years experience in development, implementation, and evaluation of programs or experiences that aim to inspire positive social engagement, action on behalf of others and consideration of one’s place in the world
• Minimum 5 years experience managing complex projects involving coordination among multiple departments
• Experience with collaborative/team project development process
• Experience developing digital technology-based projects
• Knowledge of informal learning theory and practice, visitor studies or evaluation theory and practice, and applications of technology in museums preferred
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with a diverse range of groups and organizations
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate a team
• Strong ability to be creative and think critically
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced working environment
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; and ability to work in team environment
• Proven ability to communicate complex ideas with a wide range of people
• Excellent writing skills
• Experience managing budgets, contracts and working within tight deadlines
• Available to work some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and project management software

Personal Characteristics:

The ideal candidate will be:

• Comfortable with experimentation and risk-taking
• Able to relate effectively with people of various cultural backgrounds, levels of education, and experience
• Able to generate ideas for experimentation and continued improvement in projects
• Passionate about the Museum’s vision and mission
• Aware of the wider societal, cultural, economic and political environment in which the Museum operates
• Willing to take responsibility beyond the scope of the job description and organization
• Able to take initiative and have an ownership mindset
• Curious (proven)

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The job regularly requires the employee to sit for long periods of time, work mostly indoors but sometimes outside, as well as walk, climb or balance, crouch, and stoop. The position may require the climbing of multiple staircases. The position occasionally requires the lifting and/or moving up to 30 pounds.

How to Apply:

The San Diego Museum of Man is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace. Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Recruiting@museumofman.org with “Director of Education & Public Engagement” and your first initial and last name in the subject line. Principals only. No phone calls please.

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

The Engineering Education Associate will facilitate programs to engage large numbers of museum visitors (often 150 guests per hour or more) in activities and interpretations presenting engineering design, “maker” skills, and computational thinking. The Engineering Education Associate will help maintain materials and spaces, and assist with the ongoing professional development for part-time staff and volunteers – developing and delivering briefings, and help develop innovative activities and experiences for introducing museum guests to technologies in our designed world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate engineering and computational thinking activities, interpretations and presentations for Tech Studio (up to 3-5 hours working directly with the public daily)
• Develop 4-9 briefings for Tech Studio volunteers per year
• Deliver 3-5 briefing sessions for Tech Studio volunteers per week.
• Develop and implement 3-5 new engineering and design-based learning activities/workshops annually.
• Assist in the training of 20-30 volunteers and 2-6 part time staff annually.
• Work with other museum departments to organize and coordinate continuing research on engineering and computational thinking education in informal environments. (1-2 research efforts per year)
• In conjunction with the Program Manager and Coordinator, supervise programs and mentor staff to ensure the proper presentation of programs and activities (daily programs with 20-30 volunteers per week)
• Work one weekend day per week and some holidays as agreed on with Program Manager.

WORK SCHEDULE:

This position is full- time, 40 hours per week, Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday. One weekend day and some holidays required.

REPORTS TO:

Manager, Informal and Engineering Computer Science Learning

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• One (1) year or more of Science and technology education experience.
• Bachelors of Science or Arts degree preferred.
• Demonstrated communication skills (verbal/oratory and written).
• Proven ability to provide customer service in a high volume environment as well as comfort working in large groups.
• Demonstrated proficiency in science and technology education.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously, paying close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in collaboration with a team (1 – 8).

STARTING SALARY:

Non-Exempt (Hourly). Commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS:

Benefits for full-time, non-exempt (hourly) staff include: free parking, T accessibility, 15 vacation days, 12 holidays, 5-10 sick days, medical, dental, and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement and savings plan, health care/dependent care flex spending plan, employee discounts, employee referral program, tuition assistance, professional development, direct deposit, free admission, free Duck Tours, discounted movie passes, and much more!

The Museum of Science is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

No phone inquiries, please. Qualified applicants will be contacted within two to four weeks of initial application.

For more information and to apply, click here.