(P/T) Exhibitions Educator at the New York Public Library

Job Title: Exhibitions Educator

Job Status: Part-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $25/hr

Overview

Exhibitions Educators will join a team that is responsible for facilitating field trips to the Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library’s Treasures and within the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, for students in grades 2-12. Exhibitions Educators will report to and work closely with the Manager of Collections Education and the Field Trip Coordinator to ensure that students and educators have a positive experience as they learn about The New York Public Library’s history, exhibitions, and collections.The field trip program is part of the Center for Educators and Schools, and supports the Library’s mission of inspiring lifelong learning, advancing knowledge, and strengthening communities. For some students, a field trip to the Stephen A Schwarzman Building and the Polonsky Exhibition of the Library’s Treasures is the first encounter with research libraries and collections; we aim to ensure that students feel welcome, engaged, and interested in returning throughout their academic and personal futures.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own:

  • Engaging facilitation of K-12 exhibitions field trips that ensure students feel welcome in library spaces and interested in library collections
  • Historical accuracy and cultural competence for thematic tours they facilitate
  • Practice of openness and flexibility for learner-centered experiences

Teach:

  • Exhibitions-based content to K-12 students and educators
  • Information about The New York Public Library to K-12 students and educator

Improve:

  • Educators and students’ awareness, knowledge, and interest in The New York Public Library and its collections

Some expectations for this role are that within:1 month, this person will:

  • Learn the scope of the role and the field trip program goals
  • Develop 1-2 ideas for thematic field trips
  • Practice field trip tours with colleagues

3 months, this person will:

  • Facilitate field trips in the Polonsky Exhibition and additional exhibitions at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
  • Attend staff trainings
  • Contribute ideas and materials to the field trip team

6 months and beyond, this person will:

  • Iterate, reflect, and collaborate with colleagues to improve the field trip program offerings
  • Develop specialized thematic tour activities
  • Collaborate with CES colleagues on social media/multimedia creation for exhibition education

Responsibilities

  • Facilitate positive learning experiences for students and educators on field trips in the Polonsky Exhibition and other exhibitions in the Stephen A Schwarzman Building
  • Creatively contribute to the growth and development of the field trip program through planning thematic tours and writing program descriptions, and developing supplementary materials
  • Attend staff meetings and professional development opportunities
  • Communicate with internal stakeholders including Visitor Experience, Exhibitions, Research, and Security
  • Use best practices with teaching in exhibitions, and adhere to the Center’s intellectual integrity

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Education, Museum Education or Studies, or a related field or a Bachelor’s degree in History, Literature, Art, Material Culture, or related field in combination with experience teaching

Required Experience

  • 3 years experience teaching students between grades 2-12.
  • 3 years experience teaching with objects and artifacts, historical documents and records, manuscripts and archives, historical landmarks, or visual arts
  • or 3 years experience teaching content in civics education, history, cultural and ethnic studies, literature, or art

Required Skills

  • Teaching with best practices in museum education and/or progressive education (student-centered, object and inquiry-based teaching, Visual Thinking Strategies)
  • Multilingual fluency/Language in addition to English.
  • Excellent communication, written and verbal, for varied audiences, including public speaking, managing group discussion, classroom management, and listening skills
  • Cultural competence
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with high attention to detail and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
  • Ability to adapt and improvise plans
  • Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of personalities and situations requiring diplomacy, tact, friendliness, poise and firmness

More…Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

  • Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
  • Be Resourceful in solving problems
  • Be Curious in all aspects of your work
  • Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

  • Office setting
  • Public library setting
  • Workshop/classroom setting

Physical Duties

  • Limited physical effort is required
  • May involve some light physical labor such as the moving of supply boxes or program supplies
  • Light lifting required
  • Requires travel within NYC

Pre-Placement Physical Required? No

Union/Non Union Non-Union/Local 1930/ Local 374

FLSA Status Non-Exempt

Schedule

  • 5-20 hours scheduled between Monday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with some flexibility. Part time educators will select the days of the week they are available, with 5 scheduled work hours per day.
  • Opportunity to work occasional afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays for special tours and educator programs, with hours interchangeable
  • Schedule subject to change
  • A hybrid work environment is possible occasionally, with a combination of in-person and some remote hours, but the Exhibitions Educators are expected to be onsite for field trip programs. Remote work is limited to NY, CT, and NJ.

Apply via LinkedIn

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.