Director of Education at Genesee Country Village & Museum – Museum Studies

Job Title: Director of Education

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Mumford, NY

Genesee Country Village & Museum was founded in 1966 with the goal of preserving the architecture of the Genesee Valley region in a recreated historic village, providing context for the telling of New York State and 19th-century American history. The Museum now covers 600 acres and includes the H istoric Village, the John L. Wehle Gallery, and the Genesee Country Nature Center, all of which provide interactive programs, fascinating exhibits, and special events to help you live and experience history.

GCV&M is the largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State – and the third-largest in the United States. Chartered as an educational institution by the NYS Board of Regents, the Museum offers opportunities to see, smell, taste, touch, explore, and experience our 68 historic buildings; more than 20,000 artifacts; wildlife paintings, drawings and sculpture spanning centuries; the living collections in our gardens, on our working farm and at our Nature Center; and the gorgeous landscape that first brought settlers to this region.

Primary functions:

The Director of Education is responsible for the organization-wide delivery of high-quality, accurate, and engaging learning opportunities aligned with the Museum’s mission, attuned to student/participant needs, and supportive of the values of equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Programs include on-site and virtual field trips, movable museum programs, youth camps, and adult classes and experiences. The Director leads related, curriculum development, community outreach, program evaluation, and fiscal and general administrative activities to ensure Museum teaching and learning goals are achieved.

Supervises:

Manager of Camp and Youth Programs, Museum Educator (part time), interns (periodic), interpretive/ adjunct staff and volunteers (as needed).

Overview:

GCV&M delivers a robust education program that provides teaching and learning experiences for all ages and encompasses all areas of the Museum: The Historic Village, The Wehle Gallery, and the Nature Center. Programs take place on-site; off-site at schools, libraries, child care centers, senior centers, and other locations; and online as part of our growing virtual program offerings. Through adult classes, immersive experiences, youth camps, student field trips, and other programs we reach over 32,000 learners each year.

Responsibilities:

Deliver education programs: 45%

Directly deliver and oversee the coordination, schedule management, and presentation of programs on site at the Museum, off site at schools or other locations in the community, and online to: PK-12 students, adult workshop participants, scout/youth organizations, youth campers, informational program participants.
Train and evaluate staff to effectively deliver programs, including guiding staff who are not direct reports and regularly providing formal and informal feedback.
Support Museum interpretive standards; use conversation and dialog with students/ participants to support meaning-making and use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities to support experiential, hands-on learning.
Regularly differentiate teaching strategies to support the success of learners of varying abilities and learning styles; coach staff in effective teaching styles and strategies.
Directly maintain and oversee the coordination and distribution of materials for all programs, including supporting the standards for interpreting in period costume.

Oversee curriculum development and program evaluation with attention to equity, accessibility, and inclusion: 20%

Develop and maintain Museum instructional standards aligned with Museum interpretive and exhibition programs, DEAI goals, and New York State curriculum objectives and supported by regular collaboration with teachers and other community partners.
Collaborate across the Museum to inform and expand relevant and engaging education program offerings that promote the breadth of Museum collection, environment, and expertise.
Evaluate and revise Museum education program curricula including PK-12, camp, and adult class programs, with a focus on: accessibility, inclusion, accommodating diverse audiences and abilities, use of dialog to support meaning-making, consistency, ease of delivery, and use of accurate and relevant supporting materials.
Regularly conduct teacher, student, and learner evaluations of programs and incorporate findings into curriculum revisions.

Administer the activities of the department 20%

Develop an annual plan of work, including establishing goals for each education program platform and across all audiences and benchmarking progress.
Develop budget recommendations, including plans for effective use of grant funds; regularly review budget to ensure pace of revenue and expenses is as planned.
Identify training, study, research, and community collaboration to support plan of work and incorporate into curriculum development, staff development, and program delivery.
Effectively schedule staff to support the goals and work of the department.
Create and maintain effective processes for scheduling education programs, including adult class registrations and school program bookings; facilitate internal communication and orientation to existing and new processes.
Mange other office administrative activities as needed.

Engage in community outreach and program promotion 15%

Collaborate with educators, community organizations, scholars, and subject matter experts to both advocate for and continually improve Museum education programs and activities.
Contribute content for Museum development efforts, collaborate as needed to help establish development goals and cultivate new opportunities.
Serve as the regional coordinator for National History Day program, including coordinating and hosting the annual on-site student contest/conference.
Support program promotion by helping to create and maintain public-facing information including on the GCV&M web site, in social media, print publications, public relations material, and direct electronic mail.

Performance standards:

Engage with others in a collaborative and inclusive manner, supporting diversity, accessibility, and equity with program audiences, colleagues, and Museum guests.
Regularly show support of GCV&M values of Authenticity, Collaboration, Exploration, Inclusivity, Stewardship, and Responsibility in all actions and communications.
Represent self and the Museum courteously, accurately, and professionally.
Comply with all GCV&M staff expectations included in the Staff Handbook and Safety Manual.
Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrate willingness to continuously improve through learning, listening, and collaboration.

Full-time position

Qualifications and knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Bachelor’s degree in related field of study, plus post baccalaureate coursework or certificate program in: museum studies, museum education, adult learning, PK-12 education, non-profit administration/ operations required; Master’s degree in education, museum studies, adult learning, non-profit administration, or related field preferred
At least five years related experience required, Expertise in museum education, PK-12 education, 19^th-century living history, natural history, environmental & life sciences, art, and/or museum collections preferred
Minimum of two years supervising staff and evaluating their performance required with successful track record supervising direct reports and co-leading staff supervised by colleagues
Experience creating and managing a budget including facility with MS Excel
Experience managing multiple priorities and work plans with varying timetables including helping to integrate differing, sometimes competing ideas and activities
Affinity for learning and continuous improvement
Highly organized with demonstrated ability to set and meet deadlines and keen attention to accuracy and detail
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to give presentations to diverse groups of people of all ages both in-person and on-line
Adept at using a computer to create, edit, and present multi-modal virtual programs on-line using Zoom or Google Meets
Expertise in MS Office suite of programs, facility with video creation and editing and/or interest and ability to learn new computer program applications
Valid driver’s license with no restrictions; reliable personal transportation
Occasional evenings and weekends required

To Apply:

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Erin Behm

Human Resources Manager

ebehm@gcv.org

585-294-8282

or copy and paste the link below into your browser and apply online

https://gcv.atsondemand.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=512962.viewjobdetail&CID=512962&JID=800992

GCV&M is committed to diversity and inclusion and a policy of equal employment opportunity with respect to all employees, interns, and applicants for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.