Program Coordinator

The Children's Museum at Port Wonder; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Paid holidays

Mission-driven work environment

Job summary

The Children's Museum at Port Wonder seeks an energetic Education Program Manager to lead the development, coordination, and delivery of engaging learning experiences for children visiting the Museum with schools or groups, or through its programs.

You will partner with educators and community partners to ensure welcoming, meaningful, and play-filled experiences that support classroom learning and learner growth. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or equivalent experience.
• Experience in education program management or related role.
• Experience working with children, families, and intergenerational groups.
• Knowledge of child development and learning strategies.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and social media tools.
• A clear background check is required.

Responsibilities

• Create, prepare, and facilitate in-gallery programming aligned with the museum's mission.
• Train and support frontline staff to run programs.
• Design and implement school/group learning experiences aligned with standards.
• Collaborate to schedule and deliver programming with partners.
• Champion experiential, inquiry-based learning in a playful setting.
• Identify growth opportunities, including revenue-generating programs.
• Assist with surveys and stakeholder feedback for programs.
• Support department-wide alignment of learning experiences.
• Be available to teach programming when needed.
• Provide feedback and mentoring to staff.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in education

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Social media applications

Job description

This position leads the development, coordination, and delivery of joyful, impactful learning experiences forchildren who visit the Museum as part of a school or group or participate in its programming (on or off site). This role builds relationships with school educators and community partners, and ensures that every group enjoys a welcoming, meaningful, and play-filled experience that supports classroom learning and learner growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create, prepare, and facilitate all in-gallery programming that aligns with the museum's mission.
• Train and support frontline staff to facilitate in-gallery programming.
• Design and implement all school and group learning experiences, ensuring they are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with state learning standards.
• Collaborate with the School and Celebrations Coordinator and the Nature and Science Center to schedule and deliver high-quality programming and field trip experiences.
• Champion experiential, inquiry-based learning that reflects the museum's playful and imaginative approach.
• Identify areas for targeted program growth, including opportunities for revenue-generating programs.
• Work to add revenue-generating programs that contribute to the Museum's annual growth goals and lay the foundation for future expansion in programming.
• Participate in the administration of surveys to parents/caregivers, students, or other stakeholders in Museum programming.
• Collaborate to align learning experiences across the department.
• Be available to teach programming if department schedule requires coverage with advance or short notice.
• Provide regular feedback, mentoring, and performance reviews to support frontline staff development.
• Contribute to Museum-wide projects and initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in education and/or sufficient experience working in an informal or non-formal classroom learning environment.
• At least one year of experience in education program management, museum education, or a related role.
• Extensive experience working with children (of all ages), families, and intergenerational groups.
• Knowledge of child development and learning strategies.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with attention to detail and a flexible mindset.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Proficient in office tools such as Microsoft Office Suite and social media applications.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• A clear background check is required.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time, on-site position at the museum.
• Reports directly to the Chief Development Officer / Chief Executive Officer.
• Will require occasional evening or weekend hours for events or special programs.
• Be able to lift 20 pounds.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay and paid holidays.
• A fun and mission-driven work environment.
• Opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families.