Public Programs Educator

Children; New York (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is seeking a Public Programs Educator for a part-time role to lead drop-in programs for visitors, including Birth-8 children and their caregivers. The educator will guide activities across music, movement, art, science, and storytelling during thematic sessions.

Collaborating with a diverse team, you will prepare materials, maintain program spaces, and help create welcoming, hands-on learning experiences in CMOM’s dynamic Upper West Side setting.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with young children (0–6) and families in informal or formal settings.
• Ability to communicate educational content and adapt teaching approaches based on feedback.
• Excellent interpersonal and professional communication.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead drop-in programs including artmaking, storytelling, and music/movement activities.
• Assist in quality control and reset of exhibition spaces and prepare materials for future family programs.
• Create a welcoming environment by greeting families and guiding them through activities.
• Support the Museum Clean Team in disinfecting and maintaining program areas and exhibit spaces.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Enthusiasm

Education

Undergraduate degree in arts education or early childhood education

Job description

POSITION: PUBLIC PROGRAMS EDUCATOR

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time (Nonexempt)
DEPARTMENT: Public Programs
ORGANIZATION: Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM)
LOCATION: 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024
WEBSITE: www.CMOM.org

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) helps children and families thrive at home, at school, and in the community. Our offerings embrace the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities and include exhibitions, classes, workshops, performances, and festivals. Our programs and exhibits are designed to address the multiple ways children learn and to help parents understand and support their children’s development. CMOM’Sspecial areasof focus include early childhood education, creativity, health, and world cultures.

Founded in 1973 by parents as a grassroots neighborhood organization, CMOM has flourished. Today, it is a beloved citywide resource for children, families, andeducatorsand a popular destination for visitors from around the world. Each year approximately350,000 peoplevisit our 38,000 square-foot learning facility on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Hundreds of thousands more benefit from CMOM’s outreach programs at schools, libraries, homeless shelters, Head Start centers, and hospitals; its touring exhibitions; and its online tools and curricula.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) seeks energetic individuals whose passion for education and working with young children to join our team of Public Programs Educators. This role provides the opportunity to play, explore, and connect with visitors as they navigate the exhibits of CMOM and participate in special drop-in programs produced by the public programs staff. The Public Programs Educator enhances the visitor's experience by leading a series of public programs that involve music, movement, art, science, literacy, and culture. While leading these programs, facilitators help children (Birth-8), accompanied by their caregivers, practice developmental skills and connect the activity to a larger theme, all while engaging in sensorial, social, expressive, and constructive play. In this role educators can exercise and extend their early childhood educational skills in a collaborative and informal setting.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leada variety of drop-in programs and activities, includingartmaking, storytelling, andfacilitatedplay, along withmusicand movementactivities forvisiting families and children;
• Assistin quality control and reset of exhibition spaces, including books, toys(manipulatives), art supplies, and teaching objects;
• Assistin the preparingmaterials forfuture family programs;
• Create a welcoming environment for families by greeting children and caregivers upon arrival, guiding them through activities, and providing materials and information to help families confidently navigate the space;
• AssistMuseumClean Team in disinfecting,cleaningandmaintainingprogramareasand exhibit spaces.

*Other duties,asassigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstratedexperienceworkingwith young children (ages 0 - 6)and familiesin either informal or formal education settings,such asmuseumsor cultural institutions,preschoolsordaycares, afterschoolprograms, summercampsor recreational settings.
• Enthusiasm and curiosity for learning and mastering new skills on an on-going basis in arts education, early childhood, health, and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering,Artsand Math)
• Demonstrated ability to and interest in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to interact withpatronsand colleagues with a great sense of enthusiasm, diplomacy,andprofessionalism
• Excellentinterpersonal and professionalcommunication skills
• Work independently as well as with a team or co-teacher
• Can effectively communicate educational contentandadjustteachingapproaches based onconstructivefeedbackand/or modeled teaching styles
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time

Additional preferred experience:

• Experience in inquiry-based teachingandobject observation
• Demonstrated abilities in dynamic storytellingor musical performance
• Proficiency in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish to support day-to-day communication with staff and visitors.
• Background in or studies in performingartsand/or visual arts
• Background work or studies in early childhood developmentand/or earlychildhoodeducation
• Experience working with children with special needs, a plus
• Undergraduate degree (acquiredor in the process) in arts education and/orearlychildhoodeducation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Commitment of2-3days per week, Wednesday and Sunday Availability Required
• Must be available to work holidays
• Must attend orientation and professional development workshops, as scheduled

RATE OF PAY:

Hourly wage:$20.50/hour

The Children's Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Background checks will be completed on all employees.