Programming and Outreach Coordinator

City of Fairfax; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fairfax is seeking a Programming and Outreach Coordinator within the Historic Resources Division to interpret the city’s historic sites, museum spaces, and collections for diverse audiences. You will translate approved interpretive plans into engaging visitor experiences and educational programming, develop exhibitions, and coordinate community engagement initiatives.

Evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required for events and meetings; strong collaboration with schools and cultural

Qualifications

• Master's degree in history, museum studies, public history, or related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in museum education, public history, or museum programming.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, schedule, implement and evaluate mission-based public programming.
• Lead tours, lectures, workshops, and school programs.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate volunteers and docents.
• Develop partnerships with schools, universities, and cultural organizations.

Skills

Public programming

Educational outreach

Volunteer management

Community engagement

Museum education

Education

Master's degree in history

Three years museum education/ public history experience

Tools

Collections management software

Ticketing software

Museum databases

Job description

This position is a member of the Historic Resources Division and reports to the Historic Resources Manager. Work is performed under the general direction of the Historic Resources Manager, who retains approval authority over new program concepts, thematic direction and new external partnerships. Work includes occasional evenings, weekend, and holiday hours when required for city meetings, site programming, special events, or project coordination. The schedule for this position is Tuesday – Saturday.

The Programming and Outreach Coordinator implements educational programs, tours, and community engagement initiatives that interpret the City of Fairfax’s historic sites, museum spaces, and collections for diverse audiences, translating approved interpretive plans into engaging visitor experiences and educational programming.

Plans, develops, schedules, implements and evaluates mission-based public programming at the city’s historic sites and museum facilities, including guided tours, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, school programs, and special events, under the direction of the Historic Resources Manager.

Researches, writes, and leads interpretive tours at the city’s historic sites, developing thematic narratives that connect site-specific stories to broader historical contexts to engage visitors of diverse ages and backgrounds.

Collaborates with the Planning & Interpretation Coordinator to translate historical research and interpretive plans into educational programs, activities, and visitor experiences.

Assists with the planning, development, and installation of exhibitions and gallery experiences at the city's museum and historic sites, including hands-on activities and educational materials.

Coordinates community engagement initiatives that expand public awareness of the Historic Resources Division and its programs. Represents the division at community events, festivals, and educational programs.

Develops and maintains working partnerships with local schools, universities, cultural organizations, and civic groups to support educational programming and broaden access to local history. Refers proposed new institutional partnerships or external commitments to the Historic Resources Manager.

Recruits, interviews, trains, supervises, and evaluates volunteers and docents supporting Historic Resources Division programs and visitor Services. Develops and manages volunteer schedules for tours, programs, and events and ensures volunteers are trained in interpretation, visitor service, safety procedures, and site-specific responsibilities.

Coordinates volunteer recognition activities and tracks volunteer service hours and participation.

Assists with the planning and implementation of Historic Resources Division–led events and citywide or regional events with a Historic Resources presence.

Develops routine promotional and informational materials for established programs and events, including social media posts, flyers, newsletters, and website updates; refers new marketing or communications strategy to the Historic Resources Manager.

Maintains the Historic Resources Division website and digital presence related to programs and visitor engagement.

Collects and analyzes data related to program attendance, visitor feedback, and community participation and reports findings to the Historic Resources Manager.

Provides visitor services support at historic sites, ensuring visitors receive a welcoming and informative experience.

Maintains knowledge of professional practices in museum education, historic interpretation, and visitor engagement through training and professional development.

Performs related duties as required.

The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Master's degree in history, museum studies, American studies, public history, museum education, education, or a closely related field.

Requires three years of progressively responsible experience in museum education, public history, historic interpretation, museum programming, or a closely related field.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of American and regional history.
• Knowledge of Fairfax area history and Civil War history.
• Knowledge of museum education, historic interpretation, and visitor engagement principles.
• Knowledge of informal learning strategies and educational programming for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of exhibition planning and interpretive media.
• Knowledge of volunteer management principles.
• Knowledge of current museum accessibility standards and audience engagement practices.
• Ability to perform administrative and organizational work in support of division operations.
• Ability to develop and evaluate educational and interpretive programs for audiences of all ages.
• Ability to conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to develop engaging interpretive content for exhibitions, tours, and educational materials.
• Ability to organize multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, community organizations, schools, and the public.
• Ability to recruit, train, supervise, and motivate volunteers.
• Ability to analyze visitor participation and program evaluation data to improve programming.
• Ability to represent the Historic Resources Division professionally at community events and public meetings.

Additional Desirable Qualification

• Experience managing program budgets and purchasing.
• Experience developing museum or educational programming.
• Experience working with volunteers or docent programs.
• Experience using collections management, ticketing, or museum database software.
• Experience with social media, website content management, or digital interpretation.
• Experience developing exhibitions or interactive educational experiences.