Job Description
The B&O Railroad Museum seeks an experienced, energetic, creative, and team-oriented Education Director who will oversee the creation, implementation, and expansion of our robust education programs for students and teachers, as well as the general public. As we approach the 200th anniversary of American Railroading in 2027, we are working toward a museum expansion that will greatly increase the education departments capacity to reach students.
Reporting to the Chief Curator, the Education Department is a part of the Curatorial division and is a part of collaborative team seeking to generate high-quality, educational museum exhibitions and experiences.
Diversity and inclusion is a core value of the museum. Our museum is a field trip destination for K-12 classes in Maryland, has pioneered sensory-friendly programming targeting children on the autism spectrum, has a dedicated classroom and kid’s area with a library and makers-space, and produces a variety of family activities offered throughout the year to visitors.
Please apply by sending a resume and cover letter to jgoldman@borail.org expressing interest by August 30, 2024.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide leadership as a part of the management team, actively working to improve and grow our educational offerings.
- Design and implement overall plan and procedures to meet the educational, interpretive and operational needs of all guests, and students and families in particular, during their visit using a variety of educational programming.
- Provide a work environment that encourages positive energy, creativity and teamwork among all team members.
- Align educational offerings with K-12 Maryland curriculum standards for our in-person and virtual field trips.
- Expand field trip and student visits by forming close relationship with Maryland schools, particularly Baltimore City schools and Title I schools.
- Proactively outreach to schools (public and private) forming relationships with principals and teachers, as well as university level professionals.
- Residing with the Curatorial division of the museum, the Education Department will support the wider educational goals of the museum by consulting with their colleagues on the research, design, and production of exhibitions, collections interpretation, self-guided tours, activity books, etc.
- Develop and actively recruit education interns and volunteers to support growing the department in partnership with the Volunteer and Intern Manager.
- Maintain current information and materials for teachers and educators about our educational offerings, pre- and post- visit classroom activities, as well as post-visit evaluations.
- Establish metrics and evaluation criteria for educational programming demonstrating short and long term impact.
- Maintain and expand on our legacy as a destination for sensory-friendly programming, including overseeing staff in running our annual sensory camp
- Past experience working with children with special needs is encouraged.
- Work effectively with the Marketing Department and Programming Committee to deliver high quality promotions of educational offerings as well produce educational public programs.
- Coordinate with the Development Department, establish priorities, write grant narratives, meet and maintain donor relationships, as appropriate.
- Develop and maintain the departmental operating budget, review monthly budget statements, sales and activity reports, and other performance data.
- Manage Education Specialist and volunteers; seek to grow the department through interns, volunteers and expansion through grants.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in education, history, social studies, museum studies, or other related field is required, graduate degree preferred. A minimum of 4 years experience working full-time as a teacher and/or museum education, including the designing and delivery of quality education programs for students with diverse backgrounds, ages, and interests. Experience and the ability to work effectively with volunteers and interns is desired.
Required knowledge and abilities:
- Master’s Degree preferred; BA in education, interpretation or related field.
- At least four years experience in formal and/or informal education setting.
- Candidate must be ‘hands-on’ as well as able to manage and delegate to a team, and enjoy building a department to achieve a vision
- The desire and self-motivation to expand on programming, as well as generate new content and programs in time of expansion in the museum.
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to develop and sustain relationships, particularly with schools and educational institutions, that have audience-building or fundraising potential.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- Ability to manage and work effectively with interns and volunteers – recognizing their importance for scaling programs
- Ability to work intermittent evenings and weekends, as needed to run programs/events.
- Preference for virtual learning experience
- Ability to pass background check
To Apply
Please apply by sending a resume and cover letter to jgoldman@borail.org expressing interest by August 30, 2024.
