Education Programs Specialist I | Austin, TX

Texas Association of Museums; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, seeks an Education Programs Specialist I in Austin, TX. This role supports school, family, and adult audiences by coordinating the scheduling, on-site logistics, and overall experience of the group visit program and by planning and evaluating educational programs.

Ideal candidates are outgoing, enjoy working with children from diverse backgrounds, and can collaborate across departments to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 1 year of experience working with children in a Museum, educational setting, library, cultural center, childcare, and/or related environment.
• Dynamic oral presentation skills with ability and high comfort-level speaking publicly to large and small groups of varied ages.
• Experience in basic office computer hardware and software is required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates successful on-site group visits and disseminates group information to staff as needed.
• Supports all greeting team duties including busloading/unloading, traffic, and parking management; teacher, chaperone, and student orientation; logistics and schedule changes; monitoring groups within exhibit areas; and providing other forms of direction and assistance.
• Assists with development of school group resources as needed.
• Serves as back-up for reservations.
• Assists with planning and facilitating educational and engaging programming at a variety of large- and small-scale Museum events including special student activity days, and educator workshops.
• Provides ongoing feedback about the programs and conducts surveys and evaluations to measure and report on program success.
• Develops resources and materials to engage students and families in Museum exhibitions and programs.
• Facilitates informal learning opportunities in the Museum's exhibition galleries for visitors of all ages, with a primary focus on student and family visitors.

Skills

Presentation skills

Experience with children

Office software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Teaching Certificate substitute

Job description

Education Programs Specialist I | Austin, TX

Bullock Texas State History Museum State Preservation Board (TSPB)

POSITION INFORMATION

• Primary Location: 1800 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
• Job Type: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, approximately 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (schedule may vary depending on needs)
• Hiring Rate: $4,333.33 Monthly
• Salary Plan: B17
• Job Class (Code): 0820 - Education Specialist I

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Bullock Texas State History Museum immerses visitors in Texas history and culture through a variety of exhibitions, films, and events serving over 500,000 visitors a year on-site and on-line. A dynamic educational institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Bullock Museum is a division of the Texas State Preservation Board (TSPB). For additional information about TSPB and the Bullock Museum please see: http://www.tspb.texas.gov and https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/ .

POSITION SUMMARY

The Education Programs Specialist (EPS) serves as a critical member of the Education Department and supports program initiatives with school, family, and adult audiences. The EPS is responsible for carrying out the Museum's education programs, including supporting all aspects of the scheduling, on-site logistics, and overall experience of the Museum's group visit program to ensure a smooth and meaningful visit for all groups. The EPS also assists with planning, teaching, and evaluating educational programs for student and teacher audiences. The EPS facilitates informal engagement opportunities in the Museum exhibition galleries, primarily serving the Museum's student visitors, but also interacting with the general public. The EPS should be outgoing, love to work with people and kids of all socioeconomic levels, and demonstrate successful interactions with kids in a calm manner.

In addition, the EPS provides administrative and logistical support for education programs staff. Guided by Museum exhibitions, partnerships, and audience goals, the department's offerings will position the Museum as a dynamic and participatory place where visitors of all ages engage in their own learning and discovery. As a part of this position, the EPS also works closely with staff from other departments to ensure the best possible experience for Museum guests.

The EPS works under moderate supervision with limited latitude and is a detail-focused, organized team collaborator who works in a fast-paced environment adjusting to changing priorities in work assignments. As a member of the Museum team, they also invest in and contribute to a work environment that values the Museum's core values of Leadership, Excellence, Accessibility, Diversity, Engagement and Relevance. The EPS may occasionally work additional weekend days or after hours for special events.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

For purposes of this agency's job descriptions, "essential job duties" are defined as assigned tasks that are critical or fundamental to the position and not marginal. If an individual is qualified to perform the essential job duties, the individual must be able to perform the essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Facilitates successful on-site group visits and disseminates group information to staff as needed.
• Supports all greeting team duties including busloading/unloading, traffic, and parking management; teacher, chaperone, and student orientation; logistics and schedule changes; monitoring groups within exhibit areas; and providing other forms of direction and assistance.
• Assists with development of school group resources as needed.
• Serves as back-up for reservations.
• Assists with planning and facilitating educational and engaging programming at a variety of large- and small-scale Museum events including special student activity days, and educator workshops.
• Provides ongoing feedback about the programs and conducts surveys and evaluations to measure and report on program success.
• Develops resources and materials to engage students and families in Museum exhibitions and programs.
• Facilitates informal learning opportunities in the Museum's exhibition galleries for visitors of all ages, with a primary focus on student and family visitors. Using appropriate interpretation techniques, engages in conversation and activities to provide high-quality experiences that enhance the visitors' experience and understanding of the topic.
• Provides a visitor-focused approach while working with the general public, Museum visitors, and staff.
• Remains informed of TSHM exhibits, films, events, programs, scholarships and other activities to ensure thorough and accurate information is communicated with group leaders and visitors.
• Continually evaluates Museum interactions with the public and makes appropriate adjustments to best serve Museum staff and visitors.
• Supports the Education Department in program initiatives for other audiences including adult, family, and member audiences as needed.
• May assist in training of new Museum staff to ensure an understanding of procedures, goals, and audiences for all education programs.
• Works collaboratively with Museum departments to ensure clear communication and fulfill assigned duties.
• Administrative support includes preparing the venue for events, group visit materials, reservation lists, statistics reporting, scholarship tracking, and maintaining supplies and materials for programs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• 1 year of experience working with children in a Museum, educational setting, library, cultural center, childcare, and/or related environment.
  • Substitution: A teaching Certificate may substitute for a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2 years' experience working with children in a Museum, educational setting, library, cultural center, childcare, and/or related environment.
• Dynamic oral presentation skills with ability and high comfort-level speaking publicly to large and small groups of varied ages.
• Experience in basic office computer hardware and software is required.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

• Degree in Education, Museum Studies, Public History, History, Art history, or related field.
• Experience working with student and/or family groups.
• Experience researching, creating, and facilitating educational activities in a Museum, educational setting, library, cultural center, childcare, and/or related environment.
• Experience using technology to manage data in spreadsheets, create presentations, and/or create hand out documents.
• Knowledge of Texas history beneficial.
• Bilingual English-Spanish language skills highly desirable.
• Submitting a cover letter along with application is encouraged.
• If applicant is chosen for an interview, a practical exercise demonstrating educational program development will be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to display sound judgment in handling visitor concerns, needs, complaints, comments, and praise.
• Ability to provide effective written and oral communication skills. Represents the Museum and department to the general public and is responsive to requests for assistance and information.
• Ability to have sound judgment and effective interpersonal skills in communicating with internal and external customers, including building occupants, other agency staff and visitors to the Capitol Complex, Texas State History Museum, and Texas State Cemetery.
• Ability to demonstrate sustained knowledge of the agency's mission, programs, exhibits, and customers.
• Ability to perform all duties in a manner that promotes public confidence in the agency and its employees and in accordance with the agency's high ethical standards.
• Knowledge to prioritize safety and security when planning and performing work. Continuously assesses safety conditions to ensure staff and visitor safety. Promotes building security and assists with building evacuation if necessary.
• Ability to adhere to all agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide regular prompt attendance is an essential job duty for all State Preservation Board positions.
• Ability to occasionally work evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Applicants must be willing to work outside in variety of weather, must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time, and safely lift and move up to 30 pounds.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Visual and manual dexterity and accuracy are required. Must be able to use standard office equipment and software, including Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, fax machines and copiers. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise effective solutions to problems; work independently and collaboratively; prepare concise verbal and written reports; problem solve and sit for long periods of time. There may be additional mental and/or physical demands not included in this summary descriptive.

BENEFITS

Medical, dental, vision and other insurances, a defined benefit pension and 401K retirement plans, flexible spending and dependent care accounts options, paid parental leave, free parking and free Museum membership. To find out more information about State of Texas Employee benefits visit the Employees Retirement System website.

For additional information or to see a list of all current SPB job postings, visit the agency employment webpage at tspb.texas.gov/spb/employ.

For questions, email SPB HR at [e-mail] or call [phone].

Military Occupational Specialty Codes (MOS):

• Army: 47A Professor
• Coast Guard: NPA12
• Marines: 0951, 8802
• Air Force: 3F2X1, 8T100, 9H000, 82AO
• Space Force: No Military Equivalent

Veterans with other related MOS or additional duties pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs. Go to texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets or for additional Military Crosswalk information go to hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The State Preservation Board is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants without regard to national origin, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or Veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you require reasonable accommodation in the interview and selection process, please call the agency's ADA Coordinator at [phone].

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

At the time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. All males who are age 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service and may be asked to present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.

The State Preservation Board uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER