POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Manager oversees the development and implementation of school and community programs for PreK-5th grade children, teachers, families, and community partners. Guided by museum learning philosophy and research, they manage and develop the team of educators who facilitate these programs. Key program areas include:

• Connections: A free research-backed, school readiness program committed to making high-quality, play-based learning experiences accessible to all children. Connections was launched in 2008, and today partners with subsidized preschool classrooms in Marin, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties. This program engages students, families, and teachers in multiple STEAM learning experiences in classrooms and at the museum throughout the year.
• STEAM Workshops (Offsite and Onsite): Engaging, participatory workshops serving students in PreK-3rd grades. Themes include Bridge Builders, Fairytale Engineering, Explore the Shore, Brain & Body Boogie, Questions, Questions and Science Theater.
• Try it Truck: The museum’s mobile engineering lab, which brings experiences with tools and our Think, Make, Try engineering design process to schools, libraries, and community events throughout the Bay Area.
• Discover-It-Yourself Visits: Self-guided field trips to the museum for students and adults.

This full-time (exempt) position requires a Monday-Friday schedule, with occasional evening and weekend hours. This position works 3-5 days per week onsite at our gorgeous 7.5-acre campus in Sausalito, CA, with some remote work possible. Some Bay Area travel required to support programming and relationship-building. All positions require proof of up-to-date COVID vaccination. As a condition of employment, you may be required to complete livescan and TB clearance.
 
This role reports to the Head of School & Community Programs (SCP) and pays an annual rate of up to $70,000 per year. 

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supervises a team of Lead Educators, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling and time management, coaching, and performance assessment. Sets direct reports up for success through setting of clear expectations, developmental and growth opportunities, and clear, consistent, and timely performance management. Collaborates with staff in other departments to train and support additional educators.
2. Participates in program strategy development for the museum, with focus on onsite and offsite school and community programs. Researches, prototypes, develops, and manages the implementation of new programs and experiences that meet the museum’s access and revenue goals. Under the guidance of the Head of SCP, ensures the SCP program experience is aligned with the museum’s strategic plan, educational rationale, customer service standards, and best practices in early childhood education and STEAM-learning.
3. Develops and maintains trusting relationships with schools and community partners by prioritizing anti-bias and culturally sensitive teaching and providing exceptional customer service in accordance with museum standards. Takes lead in managing relationships with Connections partners. Participates in meetings and presentations at community and professional gatherings, on an occasional, as-needed basis.
4. Supports annual budget development for designated program(s)/project(s), aligned to institutional goals and strategic planning. Manages expenses and revenues to ensure fiscal health. Trains and empowers supporting staff to monitor budgets and make strategic spending decisions.
5. Creates and maintains documentation that supports program implementation, evaluation and analysis, including end-of-year reports and program training materials.
6. Drives research and procurement of program materials and supplies and supervises systems for inventory management. Supports maintenance and preparation of tools, materials, and spaces for programming.
7. Works closely with SCP Coordinator and Registrar to support shared work in managing and monitoring SCP program registration and payment, communication with SCP audiences, scheduling of educators, maintaining internal calendars and databases, and generating reports.
8. Facilitates educational programming for Pre-K-5th grade students, teachers and parents/caregivers and drives Try It Truck on an occasional, as-needed basis.
9. Leads and participates in cross-functional working groups and teams, including special projects, as needed. Works collaboratively with colleagues across the institution and outside partners to ensure programs meet institutional and audience outcomes and needs.
10. Collaborates with Facilities and Exhibits teams to establish priorities and plans for the safety and maintenance of the Try It Truck, Try It Studio Classroom, and other onsite learning spaces. Collaborates with Visitor Services and Museum Experience teams to establish policies and protocols for ensuring the safety and comfort of school and community groups, as well as other guests, visiting the museum.
11. Serves as a Duty Officer at the museum, addressing minor first aid, emergencies, and customer service-related concerns.

Additional duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience developing and facilitating programs for children and families (informal setting preferred) required.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience successfully managing projects and staff, including training and team development required.
• A college degree is not required; however, a college degree in early childhood education, education, museum studies, science, art, or a relevant field preferred.
• Understanding of early childhood development, pedagogy, and developmentally appropriate practice.
• Professional commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion; thoughtful and open about the role of a workplace and a cultural institution in creating a sense of welcome and belonging for staff and visitors.
• Ability to work with a variety of people from various backgrounds and cultures.
• Customer service experience. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment that requires creative problem-solving skills, flexibility, and internal and external collaboration.
• Proactive and dependable, with a can -do attitude and an outgoing and friendly personality.
• Comfort speaking in front of large and small groups.
• General comfort with technology; high proficiency with full Microsoft Suite; ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• Abides by and enforces BADM’s health and safety protocols. If not certified, museum will provide training in First Aid, CPR and AED for adult, infant, and child.
• Must possess current driver’s license, have a clear Motor Vehicle Record, personal car insurance, and reliable access to a car as local travel is required. 
• Must be willing to be trained to drive the Try It Truck (does not require special license).
• Bilingual in English plus Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee is required to come and go from the work area; to frequently use a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and telephone utilizing safe ergonomic practices; to speak and listen; and to read and understand documents containing text, numbers, and images. The employee is frequently required to move from one location to another and sit, as well as to lift and carry objects such as laptops, books, files, and meeting setup and program materials weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances. The employee may frequently be required to reach and stoop, kneel, or crouch.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Predominantly works in an indoor office environment, moderate noise level, an indoor temperate environment, and light levels that are bright and conducive to minimal eye strain.

TO APPLY  
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage those from all backgrounds to apply to allow us to build the most inclusive and creative team possible.   

Please do not remove yourself from contention before you even apply. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply.   

 ABOUT US  
At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, we believe that providing children with the high-quality early learning experiences they need to be successful is the best investment we can make as a society.   

Whether at the Museum, online, or in the community, we provide experiences that spark children’s natural curiosity for the world around them, while building their creative problem-solving skills and STEM content knowledge. Both on-site and off-site, we facilitate research-backed learning experiences that are fun and engaging for children and families. At our one-of-a-kind location at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this includes hands-on exhibits, rich STEM and art programming, an on-site preschool, and camps and classes. Off-site, our museum educators bring hands-on STEM programming to students and families at schools and libraries in all nine Bay Area counties.   

We believe that these research-backed on-site and off-site experiences should be made available to all children and families and offer a variety of access initiatives toward this goal. We are currently working our way back up to our pre-pandemic numbers:  

• 350,000 visitors each year, including nearly 100,000 with free or reduced admission.   
• 10,000 member families   
• 26,000 children through our school and community programs   
• 587 schools and 215 libraries through all nine Bay Area counties   

 The Bay Area Discovery Museum is committed to being welcoming and inclusive. We are continuously working toward the goal of reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area both within our organization and with those we serve.  

WHAT WE OFFER 

The Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a high-energy, results-oriented, creative and fun environment. Employees enjoy reciprocal admission benefits at other museums, regular all-staff celebrations, professional development training, and more. All staff members are valued for their contributions toward creating a high-quality experience for visitors, and their work that allows us to achieve our mission.  

The museum offers 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance to all full-time employees, as well as generous paid time off starting at three weeks per year. Staff working an average of 20 hours per week are eligible for many of the same benefit plans on a prorated basis. 

In addition, we offer the opportunity for each employee to make a unique impact on more than 350,000 museum visitors each year on-site, and many more in the community through the museum’s research-backed school and community programs.  

NOTE TO CANDIDATE  
Due to the sensitivity and requirements of our positions, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, credentials, or vaccinations pertinent to the position.