Education Manager

• Position type: Full-Time, 40/wk 
• Work Schedule: 5 days a week (TBD: Sunday-Thursday or Monday-Friday), with flexibility when required
• Education Level: 4-year degree

 Explore, Play, and Learn! The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) is a growing local science museum with interactive, hands-on exhibits for science lovers of all ages! We are Western North Carolina’s home for experiential science learning, discovery, and exploration. Young learners ages 3-12 will especially enjoy our exhibits and programs that strive to spark the imagination, fuel a passion for discovery and experimentation, and foster lifelong curiosity. 

General Job/Position Summary: 
The Education Manager is an integral member of our Leadership Team. Essential overall duties and responsibilities include the following, however other duties may be assigned.  

• This position is typically a Sunday-Thursday employee with flexibility when required
• The museum is open most holidays closing only for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Juneteenth, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Easter Sunday.

Manages the education team, giving feedback on performance, setting standards, building processes and systems, and developing responsibilities and tasks for the education team. Serves as part of the Leadership Team (30%).

• Works to build a positive, supportive, curious ecosystem as a cohesive team
• Oversees the Education Team
• Provides leadership and direction to the Program Coordinator to ensure processes are seamless from programming start to finish
• Leads team in maintaining cleanliness and order of STEM Lab, equipment, and areas back-of-house.
• Creates and consults with team on new ideas and solutions, showing excitement when asked to lead initiatives
• Actively participates in team, leadership, and planning meetings. Represents education team in Leadership meetings
• Completes other duties as assigned
• Supports entire museum team in other duties

Hires, onboards, and trains our education team members in best practices for informal education as well as other team members as needed (10%).

• Works with the Operations Director to interview and hire new team members
• Develops training plan to guide new team members through a successful onboarding and orientation process
• Trains and ensures training plan is followed

Works with leadership and the team to develop and prioritize goals for the education team. Follows up and ensures that goals are being met (10%).

Works as a forward-facing educator representing AMOS through informal education programs, on the exhibit floor, and through other initiatives ensuring exceptional guest experience and interaction (50%). 

• Designs and implements STEAM focused informal educational activities that engage, build on prior knowledge, and allow time and space for people of all ages to investigate and explore – including but not limited to summer camps, afterschool programs, field trips and outreach programs, birthday parties, Saturday STEAM, and adult programming
• Creates and implements unique informal STEAM focused programs for visitors of all ages, in group and one-on-one settings
• Engages with visitors in informal education situations, allowing for learning through experimentation, discovery, and play.

Works as part of a team with behavior consistent with the organizational culture and expectations (100%)

Continually maintains an outwardly positive, professional demeanor toward coworkers and guests

• Maintains a collaborative, team-oriented approach, and can-do attitude
• Assists and supports other team members in their responsibilities when help is needed
• Respects other team members’ time and work, understanding their work commitments and allowing them to complete their jobs as assigned even in close working conditions
• Welcomes guests and team members from diverse backgrounds and abilities
• Displays adaptability and flexibility in ever-changing environment
• Assists in training and shares business-related knowledge with fellow team members

• Shows curiosity in learning from other team members
• Understands and embraces all aspects of their position
• Welcomes and uses feedback to improve skills and knowledge
• Maintains a consistently high level of performance
• Enjoys being part of a professional environment where timeliness and professionalism is important

Qualifications and Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• Demonstrated experience and excellence in managing a team, setting and communicating priorities, building processes, and following up with a team
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year College or University and demonstrated experience in formal or informal education. Two years of experience in museums or related organizations or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Bachelor’s degree in science field, education or related field preferred
• Minimum 1-3 years’ experience working with children, preferably in an informal education setting, classroom or camp setting
• STEM lesson/activity planning and implementation
• Demonstrated leadership through supervisory and team leader roles
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED certification or the ability to obtain
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Public speaking ability

Skills:

• Communicates with their team and leadership to set priorities and ensure goals and objectives are met
• Excels in an environment with many moving pieces and shared spaces
• Is excellent working with other leadership members to offer the best visitor experience for all museum visitors
• Enjoys and has shown success in creating systems/processes for efficiency and communication
• Understands and embraces informal education, recognizing its crucial role in exploration and growth for people of all ages
• Seeks to learn and grow
  • Organizationally
  • Scientifically: proactively seeks ways to build strength of understanding across all scientific fields

• Self-directed and accepts accountability for own actions
• Works well with and actively works to be supportive of teammates and supervisors
• Has a desire to learn from others, try new skills on their own, and debrief to learn about how to improve
• Provides excellent visitor experience to people of all ages and abilities

Computer Skills:

• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft office, word processing and spreadsheet software. Can easily learn other systems such as AMOS’ current CRM/POS System – Blackbaud Altru.
• Proficient knowledge and proven experience using a CRM system for scheduling programs, communications, and contract management.
• Work requires use of project management tools such as said CRM system and self-created tools to schedule programs and coordinate resources.

Working Environment:

AMOS is an active, bustling environment with a moderate to loud noise environment. Employees must regularly lift and /or move up to 40 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to manipulate objects, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Also regularly required to talk and hear while performing the functions of this job. The employee must have a reliable vehicle to arrive to work and outreach programs on time

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. Other duties may be assigned. This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.

Compensation:

• Salary $40,000-$50,000 based on experience
• Benefits include PTO accrue time on a pro-rated basis each month, health care reimbursement, reimbursement for parking may be available based on employee position
• $1,000 training stipend or in-kind equivalent annually for professional development
• Eligible for a telework plan, traditionally up to 20% with an approved telework agreement
• Museum will be closed for certain holidays, holiday pay available.
• Mileage reimbursement for off-site location programming beyond the City of Asheville.

To apply, send resume and cover letter to info@ashevillescience.org.