Museum Educator (Group Visits)

Japanese American National Museum; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Japanese American National Museum seeks a Museum Educator (Group Visits) to lead in-gallery and hands-on activities for onsite school and group visits. You will work with Education staff and volunteers to ensure engaging learning experiences and meet teaching objectives.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least one year in an education setting; strong communication and customer service are essential. Part-time, Tue–Fri 9 a.m.–2 p.m., with potential for additional shifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least one year of experience in an education environment with students.
• Experience in education, public speaking, and customer service in a museum is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate active school (grades 1–12) and group (college, adult, senior) visits with dialogue and hands-on activities.
• Prepare, coordinate, and set up materials with volunteers and Education staff.
• Implement the Education Unit Teaching Philosophy and Onsite School Visit Learning Objectives during visits.
• Collaborate with Manager of Youth and Teacher Programs to gather feedback and improve programs.
• Attend training sessions to ensure excellence in visitor experiences and customer service.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Teamwork

Time management

Problem solving

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Google Calendar

Gmail

Google Drive

Asana

Job description

The Museum Educator (Group Visits) facilitates group learning experiences and activities for JANM’s Onsite School and Group Visits Programs, actively engaging visitors—including students, educators, and adults—in gallery dialogues and hands-on activities. This position works collaboratively with Education staff and volunteers to fulfil institutional strategic priorities, the Education Unit Teaching Philosophy, and Onsite School Visit Learning Objectives. This position requires familiarity with object-based teaching; anti-bias and anti-racist teaching must be promoted. Position is regular, part time Tuesday thru Friday, 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. with the opportunity for additional late afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts as tours are scheduled.

• Provides active facilitation of school (grades 1–12) and group (college, adult, senior) visits, encouraging dialogue and learner engagement, providing consistent messaging, and connecting museum content and themes to museum visitors. For school visits, this includes in-gallery learning experiences as well as hands-on activities, such as origami and storytelling.
• Works with the Education Department on day-to-day preparation for activities during school and group visits, including: communicating with volunteers; managing traffic flow of visitors during visits; and preparing, setting up, and tearing down necessary materials and equipment.
• For student visits, works closely with the staff and volunteers to implement the Education Unit Teaching Philosophy and Onsite School Visit Learning Objectives.
• Works closely with the Manager of Youth and Teacher Programs to gather feedback and evaluate programs to improve learning experiences.
• Attends formal and informal training and coaching sessions in content and pedagogy to ensure excellence in visitor experiences.
• Consistently displays excellent customer service in a welcoming manner to museum visitors in a gallery setting.
• Monitors timekeeping to stay on schedule and maneuvers large groups through museum spaces in an efficient manner.
• Completes all required training including but not limited to health and safety training, assigned readings and related materials, exhibition walkthroughs, 100 level staff and volunteer training.
• Staff members must be able to work with visitors of all ages to support the various events sponsored by the Museum. Each staff member will be expected to work on a minimum of three museum-wide events per year:
  • JANM’s Gala and Online Auction—(off-site) typically held in the Spring (April-May)
  • JANM’s Oshogatsu Family Festival (usually 1st Sunday in January)
  • JANM’s Natsumatsuri Family Festival (Saturday in August)

This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Incumbent will perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions outlined above.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience/Knowledge

At least one year of experience working in an education environment with students. Experience in education, public speaking, and customer service in a museum is beneficial. Willingness to learn and apply new skills. Ability to discern how to prioritize, plan, and manage tasks according to firm deadlines, clearly communicate delays, and respond to requests in a timely manner is required. Being able to work well in a team as well as working independently is imperative. Demonstrated commitment and flexibility in order to ensure a high level of quality service. Ability to work well under the time constraints of a set schedule. Ability to remain flexible at all times to adjust to changing student and visitor needs. Ability to problem solve, adjust, and provide appropriate action when unanticipated need arises. Knowledge of Japanese American history and culture a plus.

Communication

Has excellent communication and negotiation skills. Must be able to provide courteous and effective service to co-workers, volunteers, and the general public. Is able to read, write, and comprehend routine reports and correspondence, including safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals. Is able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group format and large group format.

Computer

Is computer literate, Internet savvy, and experienced with MS Office, Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Drive preferred. Familiarity with Asana is beneficial. Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

Math

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning

Ability to act on own initiative, making consistently sound decisions. Must be able to comply with institutional policies and procedures. Ability to perform effectively under conditions of fluctuating workload. Ability to make practical decisions and solve problems, adapt to change and communication effectively. Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form and articulate challenges and request support where needed. Reliable follow-through on assigned projects in a complete, well-conceived, and timely manner.

Physical

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Museum Educator (Group Visits) is a regular, Part-Time position. Please note, however, that this is an at-will position, meaning that your employment may be terminated at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. There is, in other words, no guarantee that you will be employed until any date in the future.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To: Manager of Youth and Teacher Programs

Positions Supervised: No Staff; Directs volunteers in Education Unit