Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Part-Time Seasonal Museum Learning, Educator

Position Summary:

Three Key Responsibilities of Museum Learning Staff:

  1. Museum Learning staff facilitates programs, coordinates events, and guides experiences that encourage families, to discover, imagine, get curious, and learn through play.
  2. Our work contributes to unparalleled experiences for every visitor. Through our interactions with visitors, we embrace diversity and encourage our visitors to think differently and open their minds to the world around them.
  3. Museum Learning is committed to excellence in developing programs, events, and experiences to further Please Touch Museum as a leader in childhood learning and development.

Museum Learning Educators implement play-base educational programs, experiences, and events in the Museum, virtually, and offsite with activities for young children, their families, and group, including nontraditional museum audiences and/or underserved populations.   Educators implement programs in the visual and performing arts, science, social-emotional learning, and early childhood in a variety of exhibits and studio spaces. Educators will lead daily programming and events. Educator will create a welcoming, hospitable, playful environment for all visitors, through providing excellent and consistent visitor service.

Essential Functions:

  • Facilitates interdisciplinary and innovative educational play-based programs, events, experiences for museum audiences include family, public, community-school, and accessibility programs.
  • Provide a regular presence on gallery floor.
  • Greets and welcomes all adults and children, engages in conversations, facilitates in-exhibit play, and inform visitors about Museum programs, events, and experiences.
  • Attends all Museum Learning and Museum All Staff meetings, training, professional development.  Actively maintains an interest in and contributes to professional learning conversations on current practices, topics, and discussions in Early Childhood and Museum Education in addition to content that is relevant to Please Touch Museum’s exhibits; engages in reflection to ensure they provide unparalleled experiences for all visitors;
  • Administrative duties including maintaining and responding to email, calendar, shift schedule, and other Departmental modes communication, preparing for facilitation and engagement, routine cleaning of Department materials and spaces, and other duties as assigned by Management.
  • Supports efforts to create spaces conducive to play. Observes the play environment and thoughtfully considers what modifications, if any, are necessary to allow the child and family to play.
  • Ensures spaces are cleaned and reset utilizing department standard operating procedures.
  • Utilizes Museum resources to provide playful learning opportunities when assigned or when appropriate.
  • Museum Learning, Educators will be assigned additional responsibilities as the Museum brings back and reimagines play.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High School Diploma or GED required. 
  • Associate or Bachelor degree in Education, Art History, Science, Anthropology/Sociology, and/or Museum Studies preferred. Pre-service or retired educators encouraged to apply.
  • Enthusiastic, Energetic, Responsible, Punctual, Flexible, Reliable, Creative, Organized, Well-spoken.
  • Must be able to effectively and politely interact with all Museum visitors and colleagues and willingness to problem-solve in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a sense of humor.
  • Must exhibit a mature, flexible, and professional demeanor in both presentation and actions.  Must be able to self-monitor and correct behavior.  Emulates best practices in safety when utilizing tools and materials in Studio spaces.
  • Openness to learning new content and skills outside area of experience and comfort zone.
  • Motivated, reflective, self-starter who proactively and frequently debriefs and communicates frequently with colleagues and supervisors about exhibit engagement and facilitation experiences.
  • Ability to engage children and adults in a welcome, energetic, friendly, outgoing, and professional manner.
  • Positive energy and interest in engaging with visitors while moving throughout the Museum
  • Comfortable working in a public setting with large volumes of people, particularly children ages birth-8 years old.
  • Discretely and proactively attends to visitors’ needs and concerns with a patient, kind, gentle, and caring attitude, and manner.
  • Actively participates as a facilitator and assists in making experiences, events, and programs effective and magical, rather than passively assisting.
  • Ability to comprehend an educational framework and facilitate an event, program, and event accordingly.
  • An emerging or retired professional that strives to apply their education studies/skills in a Museum setting.
  • Proficient in Outlook, Word, and Excel. Able to write and respond to professional communications.
  • Support Admissions and Member Services as needed, including Carousel Roles and inform visitors of ticketing and membership opportunities.
  • CPR and First Aid training is a plus.
  • Valid Driver’s License required.
  • Must have PA Criminal History, FBI fingerprints, and PA Child Abuse Clearances. All background check clearances must be complete prior to hire.

The position’s essential functions listed above describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.