Curator of Education and Public Programs

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a professional management position responsible for involving Elmhurst residents and the general public in learning about and contributing to the City’s history through all aspects of public and educational programming at the Elmhurst History Museum and the Churchville One Room School.  The Curator of Education and Public Programs assures excellence for a wide range of audiences who will engage their lives with the history of our community through experiences associated with Elmhurst History Museum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents within this classification. Incumbents are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance on the job are not routinely listed in the job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

• Directs and conducts all school services with emphasis on school curriculum needs of local schools.  This includes field trips to the Museum, presentation of Museum portable programs, classroom presentations, teacher workshops, and other curriculum-based projects.
• Provides community involvement at the Museum through family and children’s programming.  This includes lectures, demonstrations, drop-in programs, craft activities, scout projects, performances, and special events, including management of the Museum’s public performance space.
• Directs interpretive programming at Churchville One Room School including first-person portrayal of a circa 1910 schoolteacher. This includes coordination of school programs at the site and the development/implementation of Museum programs for families and adults at the site.
• Schedules concerts, storytelling events and dramatic performances for the Museum’s band shell.
• Organizes and manages all adult programming.  This includes onsite programs at the Museum and offsite programs throughout the community.
• Assists other staff in development and execution of Museum marketing plan, including marketing and public relations materials consistent with the Museum’s mission as well as for presentations to community groups.
• Manages the Education and Programs Assistant, as well as volunteers and interns who assist with programs and school services.  This includes recruitment, scheduling, evaluation, and recognition of participants.
• Serves as educational liaison to Elmhurst community in order to create and strengthen partnerships with current and new Museum stakeholders.  Examples include marketing of Museum programs, project/event development with Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, collaborative event/program development with other institutions and organizations, and liaison with the education community and teachers.
• Schedules and delivers exhibition related onsite tours to groups of all ages.
• Develops and implements short/long-term institutional programming plan.  This includes preparation of budgets and reports, evaluation of programs, and presentations to institutions/organizations throughout the community.
• Participates in exhibit development process.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Communication skills necessary to establish relationships with a variety of museum stakeholders.
• Organizational and leadership skills necessary to develop new programs and attract new support with a community.
• Ability to express complex ideas effectively orally and in writing and effective public speaking.
• Ability to establish partnerships with other community organizations.
• Establish and maintain productive work relationships with staff, elected officials, residents and other stakeholders.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft applications; Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduate degree in museum education, museum studies, or related fields. Five to seven years of experience in museum educational services, including one to three years budgetary experience. Experience in evaluation of educational programs in museum settings. Grant writing experience a plus; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• Grade: P2
• Salary: $72,460 to $101,444
• FLSA Status: Exempt

Includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance (City contributes annually half the cost of the deductible to employee HSA), tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

The City of Elmhurst is an Equal Opportunity Employer