Port Discovery Children’s Museum, one of the top Children’s Museum in the United States and a top cultural institution in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, is seeking a creative educator and leader to be our Associate Director of Learning. The mission of Port Discovery is to connect purposeful play with learning. If our mission resonates with you, and you have a public programming background as well as enjoy the joy and wonder of children as they learn, then we welcome you to apply!

Position Summary:

Port Discovery’s Learning and Visitor Experience Department’s mission is to engage all our visitors, both adults and children, throughout the museum’s exhibits and play spaces in innovative, play-based learning experiences and programs. This includes informal interactions, as well as pop-up programs and more structured activities and workshops throughout all of our exhibit and play spaces. This Department also partners with community organizations and other stakeholders to provide programs, workshops, and informal play and learning experiences to communities throughout Baltimore City and across the state. All of the Department’s work centers the lived experience of children and families in developing research- and evidence-based approaches to learning and visitor experiences, while promoting diversity, equity, access and inclusion. The work of the Department is also aligned with Port Discovery’s Strategic Plan, PLAY Framework, and Simple Interactions, as well as an ongoing cycle of inquiry that guides staff growth and performance management.

The Associate Director (AD) of Learning works closely with the Learning and Visitor Experience Director (L&VE Director) in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the museum’s educational programs, and is the primary supervisor for all Learning Team staff. With support from the L&VE Director and the Vice President of Learning, Visitor Experience & Community Engagement (VP), the AD establishes and maintains standards of performance, executes recurring evaluations, and organizes opportunities for professional development for the Learning Team staff. The AD works to build a mission-driven strategy to offer quality, evidence-based and child-centered educational programming for all of the museum’s visitors, including on-floor and drop-in activities, school and fieldtrip experiences, and opportunities for homeschool visitors. In tandem with the L&VE Director, the AD models developmentally appropriate engagement with guests, and best practices for informal museum learning.

The workweek for this position is currently flexible; scheduled work hours will be adjusted according to department / museum needs. Team members will coordinate a staffing model of rotating coverage for the museum’s weekend hours. Weekend hours are required. Participation in certain special events, evenings, and holidays will also be necessary.

The salary range for this position is $52,000 to $55,000, based on experience.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Supervise the Learning Team; a team of full-time, part-time, and volunteer staff.
• Oversee the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programming.
• Manage the Learning Team budget and spending.
• Care for and maintain all Learning Team supplies and equipment.
• Support the Learning and Visitor Experience Department in all on-floor initiatives including visitor and guest services.
• Engage with guests of all ages to ensure a positive, safe, playful experience while in the museum.
• Interact with guests one-on-one and in a group setting to provide quality learning opportunities.
• Model and train the best educational practices for all museum staff.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, arts education or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years working with children 0-10 years old.
• Minimum of 3 years managing the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programming and partnerships.
• Minimum of 3 years training, coaching, mentoring experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with diverse, intergenerational audiences, in an energetic, friendly, outgoing, and professional manner.
• Comfortable engaging with young children and their families one-on-one and in large groups.
• A passion for learning, play, and fun.
• Excellent writing, organizational, and scheduling skills.

Port Discovery provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in the community and in the lives of children. Additional benefits include:

• Free parking
• Free admission to the Museum for family
• Group medical, dental and / or vision insurance options
• Vacation, personal and sick leave
• Retirement savings with Museum match after 6 months
• Museum provided life and disability insurance, as well as EAP, travel assistance and grief counseling support

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. This position operates partially in a back-office environment and partially with our front-line guests, managing the museum’s Learning team. This role also routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. When on the museum floor, the employee must be comfortable working amongst large crowds of children and families. The employee must be able to meet deadlines within time constraints. Evening, weekend and some holiday work will be required.

If you are interested and feel you are qualified for this position, then please submit your resume and cover letter.

To learn more about Port Discovery Children’s Museum, visit https://www.portdiscovery.org/. Port Discovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.