Early Childhood Educator

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free admission

Previews of exhibitions

Employee pricing for programs

Discounts at VMFA Shop

Restaurant discounts

Job summary

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is seeking an Early Childhood Educator to develop, refine, and teach lessons for toddlers and preschool-age children while collaborating with staff on related programs.

You will support Curiosity Camps, Early Childhood Annual Exhibition, and family-centered activities, with a focus on Reggio-inspired pedagogy and engaging art experiences. Weekend work is required, and opportunities for professional growth are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in studio art disciplines and integrating art materials into lessons.
• Experience with toddlers and preschool-age children in teaching.
• Knowledge of childhood development for ages 3 months to 5 years.
• Ability to apply safety protocols for supervising student groups.
• Ability to facilitate student-directed conversations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Drive; basic Excel formulas.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently or in a small team.
• Weekend work required; three professional references requested.

Responsibilities

• Refine curriculum and teach classes for toddlers 15–30 months, Young @ Art 2.5–5 years, and Group Visits.
• Maintain studio, organize materials, track art supplies.
• Support Curiosity Camps and Early Childhood Education Annual Exhibition.
• Work one Saturday a month supervising Wee-Kids Workshops and Family Day.
• Collaborate with staff to mentor interns and volunteers.
• Use a lesson bank based on Reggio-inspired pedagogy, music and movement, and children’s literature.
• Pursue professional growth through VMFA programs and conferences.

Skills

Studio arts

Toddler teaching

Preschool education

Curriculum development

Lesson planning

Safety protocols

Team collaboration

Weekend availability

Tools

Photoshop

InDesign

Excel basics

Google Drive

Job description

Title: Early Childhood Educator

State Role Title:

Hiring Range: $18.24

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Location: MAIN MUSEUM

Agency Website: https://www.vmfa.museum/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

About Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA’s growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.

Our holdings include the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art.

Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission.

VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

About Education Department

VMFA’s Education Department centers on the core values of Quality, Collaboration, and being Community-centered. Through art and shared experiences, we invite an exchange of diverse perspectives to uncover layers of meaning and in turn, support discovery, learning, and deeper connections.

General Information

We are currently seeking applications for a highly motivated, action-oriented individual, with a flexible and collaborative mindset, to join our Early Childhood Education Department as Early Childhood Educator.

The hired applicant will develop, refine, and teach lessons for Tots of Art (ages 15-30 months, Young @ Art, and Preschool Group visits, and collaborate with colleagues to support the Curiosity Camp program and the Early Childhood Annual Exhibition.

This is a wage, non-exempt position. This position works 27.5 hours weekly/1450 hours annually.

VMFA staff also enjoy agency benefits like free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for selection museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse Restaurant, Best Café, and VMFA Shop.

Duties Include

• The selected candidate’s primary responsibilities are to refine curriculum and teach classes for toddlers age 15 to 30 months, Young @ Art for children ages 2.5-5 years old and Group Visits.
• The hired individual’s duties involve studio upkeep and maintenance, material organization, and tracking of art materials, learning manipulatives and creative play items.
• Seasonal responsibilities include assisting in the execution of Curiosity Camps and the Early Childhood Education Annual Exhibition.
• This individual must be able to work one Saturday a month, supervising adjunct faculty instructors for Wee-Kids Workshops and supporting Family Day programs.
• The hired candidate will collaborate with other Early Childhood Education staff to manage and mentor interns, volunteers, and adjunct faculty.
• Early Childhood Educators utilize a lesson bank of lessons created based on the Museum’s collection, Reggio-inspired pedagogy, positive classroom discipline strategies, music and movement activities, and children's literature when building of curriculum for Early Childhood Education Programs.
• The hired candidate will be committed to professional growth and stay up to date with best practices in the field of early learning and art education and refine those skills through attending conferences and VMFA programs as provided and able.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working in studio art disciplines, including incorporation of the fine arts and art materials into prior teaching lessons.
• Previous experience in working with toddler and preschool age children in a teaching environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of childhood development, preferably children ages 3 months-5 years of age.
• Demonstrated use of sound judgment, decision‑making, and knowledge regarding safety and security protocols for supervising student groups.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate student directed conversations.
• Fluency in Microsoft office suite and Google Drive, with experience using basic formulas in excel.
• Having excellent organizational skills, the ability to work as part of a small, connected team, as well as independently.
• Ability to work weekends is required. Three professional references are required.

Additional Considerations

• Demonstrated knowledge and teaching experience with Reggio-inspired and inquiry-based pedagogy.
• Past experience working with young and emerging professionals, including high school and/or college students.
• Prior professional experience in the Early Childhood or Museum Education field.
• Prior or related experience with graphic design software including Photoshop or InDesign, or similar software.
• Experience installing fine art exhibitions.
• Certification in Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED.

Special Instructions

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.