Museum Educator

Description: The Wagner Free Institute of Science seeks a full time Museum Educator. This position works as part of the Education Department to plan and implement museum-based programming including lessons for school groups, Saturday programs, and college/adult tours. Responsibilities include leading and scheduling field trips for school and other community groups and coordinating visits for college and adult groups. The Museum Educator is one of the public-facing positions at the Wagner that helps supervise visitor services and assists with visitor engagement, in addition to leading the museum’s scheduled group visits. The position works closely with the Director of Children’s Education and other education staff on the planning of special events and development of new programming. They collaborate with staff across the institution including collections and museum staff, to support program delivery and promotion.

The Wagner serves an exceptionally diverse audience, including all ages and backgrounds. It was founded to make science accessible through free programs for adults and is committed to educational equity as a central focus of its mission. All Wagner staff have contact with the public, and are trained to engage with museum visitors, work in a historic site and be part of a team that works to keep the collections and programs accessible to all.

Responsibilities:

• Manage group visit calendar and communicate with group leaders to schedule field trips and museum visits
• Lead lessons and manage groups in the museum
• Develop and maintain stock of materials for museum visitors and group tours and lessons
• Collaborate with appropriate staff to schedule and deliver programs for college and adult groups
• Collect and review evaluations from visiting group leaders and maintain group visitor statistics
• Lead planning for public weekend programs
• Deliver outreach programming as needed
• Steward teaching and historic collections as it pertains to the field trip experience
• Promote and distribute program offerings to community and other audiences, both print and electronic
• Serve as mentor and partner for interns
• Orient and support visitors in the museum, including gift shop
• Represent museum in community and citywide collaborations 
• Participate, plan and contribute to Wagner programs and events, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Skills:

• Detail oriented, excellent organizational, and written communication skills
• Outstanding time management skills
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, creatively, and to take initiative
• Strong computer and software application skills
• Must work well with the public, possess excellent public speaking skills
• Growth mindset to foster positive workplace

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or 2 years of relevant experience
• Experience and/or demonstrated interest in museums, natural science, history of science, and collections
• Commitment to team process and fostering a collaborative working environment
• Enjoys teaching children across a wide range of ages and socio-economic backgrounds, and working with classroom teachers
• Criminal background checks required
• Availability to work periodic evenings and Saturdays
• Experience, connection and/or work within North Philadelphia desirable
• Commitment to advancing equity

Additional Requirements:

Ability to navigate stairs to access the Wagner’s 2nd floor gallery. Ability to handle the physical demands of groups in museum and classroom settings. Criminal background checks. Ability to work periodic evening and weekend hours.