Manager of Education and Community Programs

The Jewish Museum Milwaukee (JMM), located on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan in the vibrant and diverse Lower Eastside of Milwaukee and steps from the dynamic downtown, has an opening for an experienced, innovative and energetic Manager of Education and Community Programs to become part of a dynamic and high impact museum team.

The Museum, a program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation (MJF), tells the story of the Jews through the lens of Southeastern Wisconsin. Its vision statement is to build bridges with diverse communities with shared histories and to use Jewish history, culture, and values to explore contemporary issues of importance.

As a member of the team, the Manager of Education and Community Programs writes the curricula, implements school, teacher, and senior programming, oversees an active docent corps, develops meaningful community partnerships, participates in community program brainstorming, and implements community programming.

Summary/Objective

Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Manager of Education and Community Programs (“Education Manager”) is responsible for the research, development, and implementation of innovative educational and community programming for broad and diverse audiences presented in various live and online formats. The Education Manager plays a vital role in sharing the Jewish story and the life lessons it brings, building bridges between diverse groups with shared histories, and exploring contemporary events through the lens of Jewish history, arts and values to contemplate current events and issues. This position plays a critical role in developing and implementing school tours and curriculum, senior activities through the Spark! initiative, family activities, and community programs. The Education Manager is also a key member of the Museum team and has significant input into our short and long-range plans.

1. Participates in grant writing and fund development in support of educational programs. Tracks and reports on data for funder reports.
2. Develops and coordinates outreach to schools and to Jewish and non-Jewish communities, with an eye on developing lasting relationships.
3. Expands and manages volunteer docent corps and develops training sessions and materials.
4. As part of the team, identifies programs and speakers for the Museum’s ongoing and exhibit-related programs. Coordinates programs with speakers and acts as one of the public faces for community programs.
5. Provides oversight of tour and community speaker booking processes.
6. Develops summer and/or after-school intensives that meet community needs and goals, especially for at-risk youth.

Essential Functions

• Plans, implements, and supervises school-based programs and partnerships, including the development of relationships with teachers, school directors and administrators in both the public and parochial sectors.
• Maintains knowledge of and develops curricula to meet federal and state standards.
• Creates and implements teacher training for the permanent and special exhibits.
• Represents the Museum in educational settings, at conferences, and in the community at large.
• Working with graphic designers and museum staff, develops educational and public programming marketing materials and outreach targets.
• Serves as staff to the Education Committee, utilizing their skills and passion.
• Provides oversight of the educational materials collection, including review, maintenance and cataloging of objects in the collection.
• Works closely with Holocaust Education Resource Center to deliver program content for statewide school groups, including virtual programs.
• Initiates partnerships with other cultural, educational and social justice institutions to deliver cutting-edge and impactful programming.
• Oversee the SPARK! initiative for people with memory loss, partnering with Ovation and incorporating other senior communities.
• Maintains familiarity with the archives in order to utilize in programming and presentations.

Additional Functions

• Generates and effectively deploys assessment and evaluation strategies for museum programs and educational content.
• Participates in departmental meetings and collaborates with other staff members in long-range planning.
• Acts as back-up for all social media and e-newsletter content and technical knowledge.
• Works programs including set-up, technology needs, check-in and greeting.
• Attends Exhibit and Special Exhibit Committee meetings.
• Conducts tours for the public and donors.
• With the team, stewards donors, members and partners.
• Attends community events outside of normal working hours.
• Other projects as assigned.

Qualification

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 essential functions.

 Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies or Public History / Master’s degree in Museum Studies highly preferred.
• 3-5 years of informal educational experience, preferably in a museum.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Judaic and broad-based historical knowledge is required; visual art knowledge is a plus.
  Ability to create at least three curriculums a year in connection with special exhibits and based on original research.
  Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart information to a range of clientele and/or media sources.
  Ability to develop and present educational programs and public presentations.
  Knowledge and understanding of the museum’s goals and objectives.
  Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to create partnerships and work effectively with a wide range of community constituencies.
  Strong writing and presentation skills. Ability to create, compose and edit written materials.
  Ability to make connections between historical events and relevant issues of today.
  Ability to work evenings and Sundays.
  Proficient knowledge of the Microsoft 365 Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
  Broad knowledge of and experience in best practices in museum education.
  Knowledge of digital-based programming platforms including Zoom, Teams, websites, and digitally assisted interactives to enhance learning objectives.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position manages the docent and college intern programs.

Hours and Benefits

Typical office hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 am-5 pm, and Friday, 8 am-3 pm. This work is majority in- person, with remote options available 1-2 days per week. Periodic evening and Sunday hours and occasional attendance at offsite meetings and events will be required.

This position is eligible for 15 vacation days and 7 personal days annually. In addition, JMM observes federal holidays as well as Jewish holidays that prohibit work, typically adding between 11 -17 additional paid days off annually depending on the Hebrew calendar. Other benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, employee assistance program, paid parental leave, health savings and flexible spending accounts, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and 401K plan.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This job operates in a professional environment with pleasant working conditions, good lighting and ventilation and moderate noise level. There will be frequent computer usage which will require arm and hand dexterity as well as all vision abilities to be successful. The ability to speak and hear is required.

Must be able to lift and/or move up to 15-20 pounds, usually waist high.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required to perform the job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The Jewish Museum Milwaukee and Milwaukee Jewish Federation provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

To Apply
To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references to HR@milwaukeejewish.org. The review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.