Education Manager

Innovation & Makerspace Coordinator – National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Full-time term position; initial 18 month appointment with strong potential to become permanent. Flexibility on weekends, holidays and evenings is required.

Exempt/Non-Exempt:
Non-Exempt
Department:
Education

Reports To:

Education Manager (Onsite Programs)
Staff Reporting to This Position:
Educators;
Volunteers (as assigned)

The Innovation & Makerspace Coordinator is responsible for the educational oversight of the River Museum’s new River of Innovation exhibit. The new 9,000 ft2 gallery will open in phases. The first phase, a fully functional 19th-century belt-driven machine shop, opened in spring 2020. The second phase includes a series of hands-on interactive displays (“Innovation Currents”) as well as a makerspace/classroom.

The Innovation & Makerspace Coordinator will be tasked with creating new STEM-based and history-focused curriculum, and other educational materials that can be utilized by all of the River Museum’s Educators for tours, programs, outreach, and visitor engagement. Quality programs will highlight connections to the Mississippi River through history, conservation, and STEM topics, utilizing dynamic resources of the NMRMA campus to forge meaningful connections with all audiences.

Strong candidates will have a desire to use their curriculum development, interpretation, and leadership skills to support the mission and vision of the NMRMA and the entire Dubuque County Historical Society, while successfully executing new and existing education programs.

Primary Duties

• Assemble and create source material for the historical interpretation for the belt-driven machine shop, develop a STEM-based interpretational strategy for the entire River of Innovation exhibit and makerspace, and work directly with consultants, education team, volunteers, and external partners.
  • Identify signage, consumable materials, and other onsite interpretive needs, and work collaboratively to coordinate their creation and acquisition.
  • Collaborate with teammates to identify relevant training and procedural needs, writing protocols as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with Education Manager to align curriculum to core standards and mission.
  • Initiate development of K-16 formal education curriculum materials for River of Innovation, and to support makerspace topics.
  • Provide training and coordination to a team of 30 educators about how to use the machines, convey safety protocols, and provide instruction on interpretive scripts and outlines.
  • Mentor staff to ensure that interpretation and makerspace curriculum are effectively delivered.
  • Implement a comprehensive evaluation program in collaboration with other Education staff and evaluation consultant(s). Incorporate results-based evidence with STEM and history education programming.
  • Support daily volunteer management and training needs of interpretive volunteers in STEM-focused areas.
  • Maintain the Museum’s ongoing partnership with Dubuque Community Public Schools as it relates to this exhibit and K-12 curriculum and programming.
• Develop and initiate a method to evaluate the success of educational programming related to the River of Innovation, specifically the Belt Driven Machine Shop, Innovation Currents exhibits, and Makerspace.
• Assist with supervision of the Education department staff and volunteers.
  • Ensure staff acts in a cohesive manner.
  • Ensure staff follows procedures and upholds the Education Department Code of Conduct.
  • Assign responsibilities to Education staff, assist with daily tasks, and provide alternate coverage for team members as needed.
  • Coach, motivate, train, and instruct staff and volunteers.
  • Act as a visible mentor and role model at all times.
  • Provide alternate coverage for other team members as needed.
  • In collaboration with Education Manager, perform annual performance reviews for direct reports listed above.
  • Engage all Education staff and delegate as appropriate to maximize their unique and individual talents and skill sets.
  • Act as Educator On Duty (EOD) as scheduled.
  • Attend department meetings.

Additional Duties

• Create, schedule, present, and evaluate exceptional and dynamic guest experiences in…