Visitor Engagement & Public Programs Coordinator
Position Description
The Falmouth Historical Society, oldest on Cape Cod, was established in 1900. The Society maintains a two-acre campus in the heart of downtown Falmouth next to the historic village green. The Falmouth Garden Club maintains our extensive gardens. The Society’s campus includes the c. 1790 Dr. Francis Wicks House, a historic house museum, the c.1730 Conant House which houses staff offices, an archive, and exhibit galleries, and the Cultural Center & Visitors Center which houses a gift shop, exhibit space, and a meeting room. Collection Storage, some of the best on Cape Cod, is located downstairs in the Cultural Center. The Society has a vibrant schedule of programming for families and adults, related to our mission, the history of Falmouth, Massachusetts.
The Visitor Engagement and Public Programs Coordinator position involves developing and implementing educational programs and exhibitions, with a focus on themes relevant to the town of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Responsibilities include working the staff to create workshops, programs, and lectures. The role also entails collaborating with staff and volunteers to execute yearly exhibition plans for developing hands-on activities for visitors. Additionally, the role involves recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, and handling public inquiries in regards to public tours and programs.
The Visitor Engagement and Public Programs Coordinator reports to the Executive Director at the Falmouth Historical Society. Employee is eligible for a 3.5% 401K match upon hire at the Falmouth Historical Society and two weeks paid vacation along with holidays stated in the offer letter. Please note this work requires in person attendance. The hours are Monday and Tuesday 10am to 2pm, with additional hours for public programs. This individual must have a flexible schedule. The museums have a supportive encouraging environment that provides professional development opportunities and staff enrichment.
Essential Duties of responsibility:
Educational Public Programs & Field Trips: assists the institution in identifying potential themes that relate to the town of Falmouth; and develops workshops, programs, and lectures. The expectation for this role is they would coordinate a yearly Third Grade Field Trip program every spring with the Falmouth public schools, training and scheduling volunteers. They would also have two yearly four-week one-hour long program series with the Falmouth Children’s Coalition in February and October, and develop one to three additional children’s programs given throughout the year. Additionally, the role will help develop public education programs including lectures, workshops, etc. and have follow up evaluations for participants. 40%
Exhibitions and Interactives: partnering with staff and volunteers to implement yearly exhibition plans; develops hands-on activities for visitor’s center that relate to exhibition themes. The museum is developing an art cart that will have reusable activities for families, this role will help develop the content. Once complete, this role will help with keeping the art cart supplied along with maintaining other museum interactives on exhibit 20% of role.
Daily Operations (Museum Tours and Volunteer Management): helps recruit, train retain, and schedule volunteers to give tours and help with education programs; coordinates volunteer schedule to make sure visitor service stations are staffed, fields questions regarding collections as needed from public; attends staff meetings and Executive Committee and Board meetings at the invitation of Executive Director or President. Assist in grant and fundraising efforts in relation to education, exhibitions, and collection endeavors 40% of role.
Core Competencies:
- Experienced in museum education programs. Ability to help advertise these programs is essential.
- Interacts productively with a wide range of people: volunteers, visitors, donors, children and museum professionals.
- Someone who gets their energy from being with the public, and truly enjoys sharing history.
- Excellent communication and computer skills
- Proven research skills
- A track record of successful programs is desirable.
- Passion for cultivating a team of engaged volunteer guides.
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in education, English, history, art history, museum studies, or a closely related field.
At least 1-2 years of professional experience developing education programs in a museum environment.
Be familiar with museum education learning strategies.
The ability to perform moderate physical activity, such as climbing ladders, lifting, kneeling, and standing or walking for extended periods;
The ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
Being organized, detail-oriented, able to work independently and take initiative, an effective writer and public speaker, and eager to contribute to the museum.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree in education, English, museum studies, art history, history, or a closely related field.
- Familiarity with the history and material culture of New England; and experience leading staff and volunteer teams in larger projects.
- Experience with donor giving software Little Green Light is a plus.
$20-21 an hour.
To apply please send resume and cover letter to Rachel Lovett, Executive Director, Rachel@museumsonthegreen.org by May 9th.
Laura Edson Images.
