The Senior Educator, STEAM as a member of the STEAM team, is responsible for the planning, related networking, logistics, and delivery of high-quality, educational, fun, and engaging STEAM experiences. These experiences may include, but are not limited to: hands-on programming in the STEAM and Art Labs, CreatedBy – the Museum’s STEAM celebration events, and leading grant-funded initiatives that occur both within the Museum and offsite in partnership with schools and other community organizations. Reporting to the Senior Director, STEAM the Senior Educator works in collaboration with other team members to ensure all project goals are met on time, within budget, and aligned with the educational philosophies of the Museum. The Senior Educator will help shape team educational priorities and initiatives and make connections across other content teams by sharing expertise and approaches.
All of the STEAM experiences overseen by the Senior Educator will support participants (children and their caregivers) in developing STEAM Habits of Mind and Skills and supporting the approaches and values outlined in the Museum’s Learning Framework. Across all of our projects and resource development work, we seek to make the museum accessible and relevant to all families in our diverse community and value the Museum’s equity, diversity, and inclusion work.
Applicants should have strong experience working collaboratively, including the flexibility to support a team-oriented environment. They should also have excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to present to large and small groups. The ability to manage projects and develop programs, build strong networking relationships, and have a passion for education and demonstrated knowledge of informal education or family learning in a museum setting.
- Be an active member of the STEAM team, developing engaging, fun, and interactive programs and experiences for children, families, and educators, for use inside and outside of the Museum. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Take part in and/or lead the development process, including brainstorming, planning and writing, testing and implementation, evaluation, and revisions, and keep team members informed and engaged throughout.
- Network to build our community. Develop relationships in support of addressing approved project goals. Communicate frequently with and maintain contacts with relevant stakeholders to understand needs.
- Plan schedules across the team to appropriately cover programs and events, develop systems and task lists, determine key dates and deadlines, and monitor progress by working with the STEAM team and other members of staff as needed to ensure successful project completion. Communicate team initiatives to appropriate stakeholders, including Visitor Experience staff and external audiences (educational developers, teachers, partners, etc.).
- Use sound judgment to problem-solve and troubleshoot issues as they arise throughout projects to ensure success.
- Keep within a given budget for identified projects.
- Engage staff, and occasionally volunteers, to help execute the vision for the project and deliver a high-quality experience.
- Incorporate and use feedback systems, which might include surveys or focus groups, evaluate the results, and create relevant reports and statistics.
- Lead significant Museum STEAM education projects, which includes assisting with and/or leading the planning and implementation of grant deliverables, as well as supporting grant proposals and reports.
- Lead the planning and delivery of major team and Museum events, which may include school vacation weeks, summer programming, and CreatedBy. Occasionally assist with the delivery of team or Museum events lead by colleagues.
- Serve as a resource for Museum staff, external partners, and networks in STEAM education, drawing on specialized content knowledge to represent the Museum.
- Serve visitors from diverse populations with age-appropriate programming, courteously and professionally.
- Support institutional and departmental initiatives, goals, and operations. Collaborate with Museum leadership to further the Museum’s mission, and to ensure a cohesive staff culture.
- Participate in required all-staff activities, discussions, meetings, and training.
- Other duties as assigned.
- A College degree with an area of study in STEAM, STEAM education or elementary education field, or other STEAM-related area of study preferred, or equivalent; 2 - 4 years of relevant work experience.
- A minimum of 5 years of work experience, with at least three years of museum education (or classroom teaching plus demonstrated understanding of community/informal educational settings.)
- Experience with children ages 0 – 10 and an understanding of children’s emotional, intellectual, and social development.
- Experience with, and strengths, in developing joyful, creative educational experiences for children (birth through age 10) and their caregivers, and have a strong knowledge of the STEAM education field.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of informal education and family learning in settings such as children’s museums.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects and developing products on time and within budget.
- Ability to stay organized, anticipate, and troubleshoot as issues arise.
- Ability to form, motivate, and manage teams including staff and volunteers.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Comfortable presenting to groups of various sizes and backgrounds.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with multicultural, intergenerational audiences, in an energetic, friendly, outgoing, and professional manner.
- Excellent computer skills.
- Experience coordinating large-scale public events or programs.
- Ability to network and forge collaborations with community partners.
- Ability to represent the Museum by sharing their expertise with external partners.
Physical Demands: Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone. Occasionally kneel/crawl, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, and grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that may weigh 21-40 pounds.
Work Environment: Normal office environment with varying exposure to office equipment (i.e. printer, fax, shredder, phone, and desktop computer). The Office space and Museum exhibits can be fast-paced environments and often noisy during peak seasons. Sometimes a crowded environment with the public and with young children.
Other Factors: Regular work schedule includes one weekend day. Flexibility is required to accommodate programming and special events, including early or late shifts, weekends, school vacations, and holidays. Work is performed routinely within the Museum setting, but occasionally may require work performed outside.
(Benefits eligibility is based on regular weekly hours per week)
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Up to 12 Sick days
- Mass Earn Sick Time
- Up to 10 Vacation days
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Qualified Transportation Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- American Alliance Museum Access
- New England Museum Association Access
- Free Admission to 100+ Museums
jobs@bostonchildrensmuseum.org
OUR MISSION
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.
OUR VISION
Boston Children’s Museum is a welcoming, imaginative, child-centered learning environment that supports diverse families in nurturing their children’s creativity and curiosity. We promote the healthy development of all children so they will fulfil their potential and contribute to our collective well-being and future prosperity.
OUR VALUES
Creativity. Respect. Excellence. Accountability. Thoughtfulness. Equity.
Boston Children’s Museum is a curious, experimental, and creative learning organization. We have a child and family centered focus, welcoming and respecting all Museum audiences. We collaborate and show mutual respect and support for our colleagues. We recognize that each person has equal, intrinsic worth and deserves to be treated with dignity. We are a culture that innovates, changes, and pushes boundaries to keep the museum relevant. We are responsible to each other and strive to keep our commitments to our colleagues. We have a commitment to high ethical standards. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, respecting the importance of personal growth and family. We have an ongoing commitment to fairness in all aspects of the Museum and we embrace alternative ways of thinking.
