Museum Educator

paleycenter; New York (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Paley Center for Media in New York is seeking a Museum Educator to plan and teach inquiry-based classes for K-12 groups, in person and virtually. You’ll design hands-on arts and crafts activities for families on select Saturdays and support weekend programs including radio and podcasting workshops.

As a non-exempt, hourly role, you will join a dynamic, in-person team Tuesday through Saturday, with evolving schedules.

Qualifications

• 2+ years creating meaningful learning experiences for K-12 or similar groups.
• Experience engaging family audiences with participatory programs.
• Understanding of media literacy and object-based teaching approaches.
• Ability to translate educational goals into hands-on experiences.
• Strong planning, organization, and follow-through.
• Creative, adaptable problem-solving for diverse learners.
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team.
• Genuine enthusiasm for broadcast history and media culture.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging media literacy experiences for K–12 students.
• Design and lead family/youth programs with hands-on activities.
• Create learning experiences through dynamic teaching and interaction.
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for all learners.
• Serve as a Paley Ambassador through social media engagement.
• Maintain program materials to ensure high-quality experiences.
• Contribute to special projects supporting Paley’s educational programs.

Skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Work ethic

Ownership

Communication

Writing

Interpersonal skills

Research

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/History/Communications/Media Studies/Education

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Podcasting tools

Job description

Iconic New York institution The Paley Center for Media, where media, sports, gaming, tech, and entertainment come together, is hiring for a Museum Educator to schedule and teach inquiry based classes in person and virtually for K-12 school groups, and additionally to design and run arts and crafts projects and activities for families on selected Saturdays throughout the year. This position will also support weekend programs, Re-creating Radio and Podcasting Workshops, throughout the year. This is a non-exempt, hourly position and standard work week is Tuesday through Saturday. As this role evolves and grows, the days of the week may also evolve or adjust periodically.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging, age-appropriate media literacy experiences for K–12 students that build critical thinking, curiosity, and confidence in navigating today’s media landscape.
• Design and lead high-quality family and youth programs, including hands-on arts and crafts, that bring exhibits and special events to life and create
  meaningful opportunities for learning, discovery, and connection.
• Create memorable learning experiences through dynamic teaching, hands-on activities, and positive interactions that encourage students and guests to explore, engage, and connect.
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment where every child, caregiver, and teacher feels safe, respected, and empowered to participate fully.
• Serve as a Paley Ambassador by helping extend the organization’s reach and strengthen community connection through authentic engagement with Paley’s social media content and initiatives.
• Maintain program materials and resources to ensure every program is well-prepared, consistent, and delivers a high-quality experience for learners and families.
• Contribute to special projects and organizational priorities that support the quality, reach, and impact of Paley’s educational and public programming.

Core Competencies

Our successful employees meet the following criteria:

• Highly organized educator with proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong team player who collaborates well with others
• Strong work ethic with preference for in-person collaboration in a high-energy office environment
• Ability to take ownership of all tasks and manage simultaneously
• Strong verbal communication and writing skills
• Positive and professional demeanor with excellent interpersonal, and administrative skills
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail
• Resourcefulness, creativity, and strong problem-solving and research skills

Qualifications - What You Bring

• 2+ years of experience creating meaningful learning experiences for elementary and secondary students, whether in a classroom, museum, cultural institution, or teaching-artist setting.
• Experience engaging family audiences and creating welcoming, participatory experiences for children and caregivers.
• Strong understanding of media literacy and experience using approaches such as object-based teaching and visual thinking strategies to spark curiosity, critical thinking, and discussion.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver developmentally appropriate curricula and programs that translate educational goals into engaging, hands-on experiences.
• Strong planning, organization, and follow-through, with the ability to anticipate program needs, manage multiple priorities, and consistently deliver well-prepared, high-quality programs.
• Creative, adaptable problem-solver who can respond thoughtfully to the needs of different learners, audiences, and program environments.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team and shared goals.
• Genuine enthusiasm for broadcast history, media, popular culture, and the role they play in shaping how people understand and connect with the world.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in English, History, Communications, Media Studies, Education, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field. Experience with digital media creation or production, including podcasting, video, or related formats. Bilingual fluency in Spanish.

Compensation Range: $30 - $35 per hour

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Paley Center for Media maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.

About The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading 501 (c) (3) nonprofit cultural institution whose mission is to preserve our media history and to explore media’s powerful shaping influence on our culture.

The Paley Center for Media owns the iconic, New York Paley Museum where media, sports, gaming, tech, and entertainment come together, and during the year, produces unmatched programs for the public and industry. On the public side, programs celebrate the very best of television, digital content, and interactive entertainment. On the industry side, the Paley Center convenes the most influential business leaders to explore and debate the most critical issues and opportunities within the industry while also fostering a sense of community amongst peers. Through its respected Paley Impact series, programs educate and explore how media impacts culture and shapes public discourse on important societal issues.At the heart of the Paley Center sits the Paley Archive, which represents the largest public collection of its kind and is often cited as a national treasure, with over 160,000 programs spanning more than 100 years. This collection also serves as an incredible resource for K-12 educators and students nationwide that are served through its respected education classes.

PreviouslyknownasTheMuseumofTelevision&Radio,thePaleyCenterwasfoundedin1975byWilliamS.Paley,apioneuringinnovatorintheindustry.Formoreinformation,pleasevisit paleycenter.org.