Director of Administration & Operations

Organization Description:
Our Mission To be a vibrant, interactive learning space providing children, families and school groups the opportunity to nurture curiosity, enhance knowledge and ignite imagination through creative hands-on exploration. The museum is committed to broadening knowledge of the arts and sciences, the environment, multiculturalism, and the local and global communities in an educational and recreational atmosphere.

Our Vision
The Westchester Children’s Museum strives to be an engaging, inclusive, creative place for play and a catalyst for building confidence and critical thinking skills in our children.
The Westchester Children’s Museum (WCM), located in the historic north bathhouse on the boardwalk at Playland Beach, is a vibrant, interactive learning space providing children, families, and school groups the opportunity to nurture curiosity, enhance knowledge and ignite imagination through creative hands-on exploration. The Museum is committed to broadening knowledge of the arts and sciences, the environment, multiculturalism, and the local and global communities in an educational and recreational atmosphere. WCM was founded over 20 years ago by a group of educators and dedicated volunteers that recognized the need for this type of learning environment in the Westchester area. Since then, the Museum has grown into 20,000 square feet of interactive space that entertains and educates well over 75,000 guests each year.

Position Description:
Museum Educators are active participants in the Education & Experience Department, participating in school workshops, field trip, and public/event programs. They run these programs and also contribute to program planning, implementation, and evaluation as needed.

The Weekday Museum Educator will focus on leading Field trips, drop-in programs and workshops in the morning hours on weekdays, most often from the 8:30am-12:30pm time-frame.

The Weekend Museum Educator will focus on weekend programming, including Daily Drop-Ins, Community Events and facilitating activities for the Museum’s monthly Big Weekend Events.

The educators work collaboratively to implement the educational content and management of school and public programs, all related grant-funded projects, and represent the educational mission of WCM within the Museum and with outside agencies and institutions.

Reports to:
Education & Programs Manager

Job Requirements & Responsibilities:
Essential Responsibilities:
– Ensure high quality early childhood, elementary, middle school, and family learning experiences at WCM.
– Prepare materials and run educational programs on different topics including STEAM subjects.
– Run programs, tours and drop-in programs to children of all ages, from 18 months – middle school.
– Participate in the development and facilitation of year-round classes, public programs, camps, special events, school workshop programs, field trips, and professional development opportunities.
– Coordinate with the Museum Experience team to develop and deliver meaningful tour content for our current exhibits and run programs on site, ensuring a fun and educational visit for all guests.
– Present programs and classes as part of grants, assist with grants reporting.
– Participate with leaders to develop and communicate educational strategy that furthers the vision and mission of WCM.
– Represent WCM’s mission and maintain an awareness of current early childhood and elementary education trends through participation in professional organizations.

Secondary Responsibilities: Other duties as assigned

Candidate Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
– Bilingual English and Spanish preferred, with translation abilities a plus
– Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years experience in education, museums, and/or nonprofit setting
– Demonstrated experience in program management
– Previous experience working with young children and their families
– Experience with individuals with disabilities/special needs a plus
– Experience with volunteers a plus
Skills and Abilities:
– Computer skills (database, word processing, spreadsheets, etc)
– Good organizational skills, ability to design administrative systems and evaluate data.
– Excellent communication and writing skills.
– Understanding of and commitment to human services, classroom management stills a plus.
– The following abilities are required for the position:
a) Communicate appropriately and clearly both verbally and in writing with telephone callers, office visitors, and co-workers.
b) Ability to operate computers, printers, and telephones and general mobility throughout the building is required;
c) Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
d) Lift items weighing up to 50 lbs.
e) Perform duties related to the position in a variety of settings including outdoors and offsite locations.

Other: (a) Display the reading skills necessary to proofread written materials; (b) Negotiate travel locally and nationally; (c) Tolerate frequent interruptions in the work process (d) Perform analysis on data to form reasonable conclusions and be able to demonstrate findings to others.

Must have access to reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and appropriate liability insurance for driving a vehicle. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.

Position Type:
Part-Time

Union Status:
Non-Union

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Schedule:
Weekday hrs, 8:30am-12:30pm time-frame or 1:30-4:30. Weekend Hrs will vary monthly based on programing weekend programming

Salary:
$25 per hr

Organization or Project Website:
http://www.discoverwcm.org

Application Info:
Applicant may submit resume.

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