Museum Educator

Position Summary:

The Erie Canal Museum, located in downtown Syracuse, New York, engages the public in the story of the Erie Canal’s transformative impacts on peoples and places in the past, present, and future. We are stewards and interpreters of Erie Canal related materials and heritage. Established in 1962, the Erie Canal Museum shares 200 years of Erie Canal history through interactive displays, original artifacts, and public programs.

The Museum Educator plays an integral part in the development and management of the Museum’s programs, including serving as the primary contact for school programs. The Museum Educator must be passionate about ensuring that museums represent communities' full diversity and committed to expanding the narrative traditionally told by the Erie Canal Museum.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the long-range vision, general operating plans, and annual goals, objectives, and priorities for education and engagement.
• Collaborate with Deputy Director and Director of Interpretation to develop programmatic offerings and educational materials utilizing temporary and ongoing exhibitions and the Museum’s collection.
• Oversee the school program, including consulting with local educators on how best to improve and promote educational offerings. Establish and maintain partnerships with key regional educational, tourism, and non-profit institutions to develop dynamic collaborations, interdisciplinary approaches, and expanded audiences.
• Oversee the Museum docent program, including recruiting new docents and conducting trainings.
• Coordinate with the Deputy Director and Museum Administrator to analyze target audiences, develop appropriate outreach strategies, ensure effective promotion of all programs, and measure outcomes;
• Work collaboratively with staff across the Museum to ensure an exemplary visitor program experience.
• Serve as a leader in the educational and outreach community by participating on local and regional committees, presenting on panels and representing the Museum in a professional way in the community.
• Assist in securing funding to support the Museum’s initiatives by helping to identify and prepare grant applications. 
• Other duties as needed or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Genuine enthusiasm for history and lifelong learning, along with a desire to inspire that same curiosity in others
• Knowledge of NYS educational standards and best practices in program design, evaluation, and curriculum development, preferably including an understanding of visual learning strategies and query-based interpretation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with Museum staff, volunteers, visitors, and partners
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with thoroughness, accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, and a positive spirit.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Program experience in a museum or other nonprofit organization preferred
• Graphic design skills preferred with proficiency working with Canva
• Experience in or willingness to learn budgeting, developing work plans, and monitoring progress

Qualifications:

• Degree in education, museum studies, or a related field or equivalent relevant experience
• Demonstrated experience working in an educational or museum setting 
• Weekend availability required 

Additional Details:

This full time position works 32-40 hours per week, with a regular schedule of Tuesday – Saturday and occasional evening hours. The pay is $17 - $19.25/hour, dependant on experience. Medical, dental, and life insurance benefits are available. Personal time, holidays, and sick time are included. 

The Erie Canal Museum (ECM) is an American Alliance of Museum accredited history museum. Embracing Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) is integral to the Museum’s mission. Diversity encompasses all human differences, Equity ensures fair treatment for all, Access provides opportunities for participation, and Inclusion involves meaningful collaboration with community voices. ECM aims to embody these principles in its interpretation of history, its internal culture, and its community engagement. ECM recruits and hires employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or sexual preference, and treats all employees equally with respect to compensation and opportunities for advancement, including upgrading, or promotion. ECM supports the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will take such measures insofar as possible to assist employees who need accommodation. Reference checks may be conducted for all positions.