Job Title: Special Programs Coordinator
Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Department: Education and Tour Programs
Reports To: Director of Education and Tour Programs
Effective Date: March 2024
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Special Programs Coordinator to join our dynamic team at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. This role is crucial for creating, implementing, and overseeing engaging and educational programs with a specific focus on nighttime audiences, families, and special events that enhance the visitor experience and align with the museum's mission and strategic goals. The Special Programs Coordinator plays a pivotal role in hiring, training and supervising seasonal Educators who facilitate nighttime programs, including working evenings as required.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development and Design
- Develop and implement a diverse range of museum programs for nighttime audiences, including Night Tours and Halloween Nights, to support and implement the mission of the museum.
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Create and implement special programs for youth and family audiences such as Scout Days.
- Work closely with the education department to create programs that enhance the museum's educational offerings.
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Evaluate program effectiveness and make data-driven improvements.
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Provide input regarding program effectiveness for the development of the educational goals and objectives of the museum, especially related to special event programming.
Program Implementation and Facilitation:
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Lead the development and implementation of new nighttime programs and special events, ensuring they meet the organization's strategic objectives and align with the museum’s mission, vision and long-term goals.
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Revise and enhance existing nighttime programs and special events based on evaluation feedback and changing needs.
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate programs seamlessly into the broader organizational framework.
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Stay informed on current trends in museum programming.
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At busy times, leads educational programs including guided tours, interactive workshops and hands on activities, ensuring engaging, informative and dialogue-driven experiences for visitors both in person and virtually.
Team Management and Supervisory Responsibilities:
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Co-lead, hire, and supervise a team of seasonal nighttime Education staff, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
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Assist with onboarding, offboarding, and performance management of seasonal nighttime Education staff.
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Develop and implement training for seasonal Night Tours and Halloween Nights Education staff in collaboration with Education Management team.
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Coordinate with various departments to ensure smooth operation and integration of programs and exhibits.
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Manage external contractors and vendors as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities
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Excellent at multitasking, managing time, thinking strategically and solving problems.
- Highly self-motivated, able to keep multiple projects running at the same time, strong writing skills.
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Adaptable to changing circumstances and needs; proficiency in tight deadlines and high-pressure production schedules. .
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Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
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Demonstrated ability to create, develop, implement and facilitate education programs and training.
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Strong organizational, interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
- Proficiency in office software and educational technology.
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Able to listen and engage with diverse perspectives, and create a positive group dynamic even with the most difficult subject matter.
- Able to work well independently, but also enjoy collaboration and supporting your coworkers.
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Knowledge of the criminal justice system and incarceration; lived experience with incarceration strongly preferred.
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Bachelor’s Degree in History, Education, or related field preferred.
- Proven experience in education, museum education, public history or a related role.
- Experience working with youth.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
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Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
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Available to work Sunday-Thursday; regular evening hours required, and be flexible about scheduling when needed.
Physical Requirements:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a ruin and working conditions are not always ideal; Education programs occur in outdoor conditions regardless of weather.
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Able to lift items up to 30 pounds.
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Able to move through crowded public spaces easily.
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Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time to perform administrative duties in an office environment.
Salary:
$43,000 - $45,000
In addition, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site offers a comprehensive benefit package including 401K, medical and dental benefits, life and disability insurance and a family-friendly work environment.
About ESPHS:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a museum interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the site of the world’s first penitentiary. The facility pioneered the large-scale use of solitary confinement in the early 19th century and housed approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation. The building itself was an architectural wonder: it had running water and central heat before the White House, and its revolutionary wagon-wheel design has been copied by more than 300 prisons around the globe. Although the prison now stands in ruin, its story remains relevant today.
Today, Eastern State Penitentiary attracts hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world each year to explore the site’s fascinating past and contemplate some of the most critical issues facing our nation. Its innovative public history program draws connections to contemporary justice reform through an approach that values multiple perspectives, amplifies marginalized voices, and respects a broad range of visitors’ interests and learning styles. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation that operates the penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark, as an historic site and museum.
Commitment to Diversity:
We strongly believe in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that a diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and better decision-making. As such, we actively seek out and value job applicants from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, ages, or disability. Our commitment to DEI extends throughout our hiring process, ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all candidates. We firmly believe that by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we can create a stronger, more vibrant, and more successful organization.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.
ESPHS strongly believes in fresh starts and, as such, is committed to providing appropriate employment opportunities to those who have been incarcerated. As a condition of employment, all individuals who accept an employment offer must complete a criminal background check. Eastern State will review any criminal record and make appropriate employment decisions in accordance with applicable law and its policies.