Education Manager - Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum

Duties: Under the general supervision of the Director of the Peoria Children's PlayHouse Museum, the Education Manager will be responsible for:

• Supervise the PlayHouse Education Department, including administrative work such as budgeting, marketing, grant writing, and reporting.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate the work activities of part-time instructors while creating a spirit of collaboration and joint learning. Identify new areas of exploration for this group each year and lead productive meetings.
• Craft, enable, and revise a continuous education plan that involves and prescribes an education philosophy, structured programming, and cohesive collaboration with partnering Park District facilities.
• Develop and lead meaningful field trip experiences and other programs for school groups and teachers.
• Develop professional development/training to support floor staff in facilitating play and delivering educational content.
• Supervise and support the Education Coordinator in developing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for toddlers, families, and scouts, as well as in the museum’s Maker Space art, construction, and engineering programs and spaces.
• Collaborate with PlayHouse staff to offer monthly Community Collaborations programming events, which showcase the diverse cultures of Central Illinois.
• Create and manage off-site educational programming with various Park District facilities and programs.
• Establish and maintain relationships with schools, community groups, other Park District facilities, and other PlayHouse stakeholders.
• Provide input on merchandise for gift shop ordering.
• Participate in exhibition development.
• Evaluate and revise programs, collecting data to inform program changes.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• The work requires periodic physical exertion in handling supplies, equipment, and materials typical of the hospitality industry.
• Prolonged standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds are required on a periodic basis.
• Must have the ability to manipulate the keyboard, phone, and cash machines.
• Must be able to bend at waist and knees in order to file and stock.
• The indoor work environment is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
• Periodic outdoor work will expose the incumbent to a wide range of weather patterns and environmental surroundings.

Education: Four-year college degree in education, social sciences, or early childhood development. An exceptional service record in customer service, management, hospitality, or cultural organizations may substitute for part or all of the degree preferences.

Experience: A minimum of two years of direct experience in an educational setting, ideally in a museum or other informal education setting.

Expert knowledge and experience in creating and facilitating educational experiences in science and engineering, art, history, early childhood, and/or other related contexts. Must be comfortable working in all these disciplines.

Knowledge and Ability:

• Knowledge of basic personnel supervision practices.
• Knowledge of computers as needed for office work, including knowledge of Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Adobe Design Suite preferred.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate employees and volunteers.
• Ability to create an atmosphere of teamwork, collaboration, and positive energy among staff and volunteers.
• Ability to communicate clearly with others in person and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with a minimal degree of supervisory oversight.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, other park district personnel, vendors, and the general public.
• Ability to be professional, respectful, accountable, innovative, to follow safety procedures, and be equitable to both internal and external customers.
• Must be people-oriented. Must continually demonstrate a customer-friendly personality while performing all duties in a manner that demonstrates reliability, initiative, tact, and resourcefulness.
• Must be able to work with children of all ages, as well as adults. Must show interest in children and families.
• Must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to learning and innovation.
• Must have excellent customer service, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Spanish language skills preferred, but not required.

Benefits and Perks:

• Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays.
• Longevity bonus program and wellness program.
• Pension and retirement programs and Social Security participating.
• Exceptional health plan.
• Paid Life Insurance.
• Disability Insurance.
• Full-time employees and dependents enjoy discounted recreation classes and free admission to select Park District facilities.

The Peoria Park District hires without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, protected veteran status, or on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.