Public Programs Specialist

Exploring, explaining and sustaining life since 1853.

The Public Programs Specialist is responsible for creating, developing and implementing programs/activities/engagements that support our annual programming themes, new exhibits, planetarium shows and special events. Engagements may include large and small informal science education programs for all age audiences, including but not limited to feeding programs, live-animal experiences, theater, exhibits and installations, interactives, games, competitions, etc. Additionally, specialists also coordinate and ensure the smooth operations of daily programs/experiences/activities within venues including the Naturalist Center and Early Explorer’s Cove. Specialists support the presenter team by providing training, feedback and coaching, conducting check outs, and coordination. This position does not provide discipline or performance management but should provide feedback to the presenter supervisor as needed. The specialists are highly skilled interpreting any topic relevant to the Academy for general audiences. Weekend and evening work will be required approximately once per week. Specialists spend at least one day per week on the main floor interacting with guests. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Public Engagement and each position is responsible for a distinct aspect of the public programs portfolio: 1) The Naturalist Center and related programs, 2) Early Explorer’s Cove and related programs, 3) scheduled family programs, 4) scheduled all-age programs. However, knowledge and expertise in two or more of the following areas is required: early childhood education, natural history collection management and exhibit curation, all age informal science programming, or science curriculum development. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Public Engagement.

* Design, develop, implement and deliver programs/activities/engagements that maximize attendance, visitor engagement and inspire guests. * Develop and maintain a specialized operational knowledge and best practices of two or more of the following: Naturalist Center, Early Explorer’s Cove, Family Programs, All Age programs. * Use creativity to bring new and innovative guest experiences/engagements/activities to the floor. * Lead and facilitate brainstorming sessions with cross departmental staff and within public programs * Curate and develop exhibits on relevant themes for display in the Cove, Naturalist Center and on movable interpretive carts. * Collaborate with PP and PE&E staff to develop and implement interpretive programming for dynamic educational events and special initiatives. * Delivers highly engaging presentations/programs/activities throughout the Academy on various topics. * Create strong partnerships with cross departmental teams to ensure successful floor programming. * Support and train presentation staff. * Train and check out presentation staff on new programs/activities/engagements * Provide feedback and coaching to presentation staff on their programs/activities/engagements * Partner with Supervisor to delegate responsibilities to leads to provide professional development opportunities. * Serve as a role model and mentor for presentation staff. * Assist with daily operational duties as needed including maintaining accurate program calendar listings on the Academy website and intranet, submitting operational work orders and sign/graphics requests, opening and closing duties, etc. * Partner and represent the Academy with outside leaders and stakeholders * Develop and implement cross-departmental trainings and workshops on best practices in area expertise. * Develop and conduct evaluations of informal science programs and activities conducted by presentation staff to assess their effectiveness and guest engagement. * Assist in the planning and production of special events. * Maintain a professional demeanor within the workplace, including consistent attendance. * Work with the Senior Manager to prepare and monitor annual operational budget for programs. * Support other division-wide initiatives. * Follow all Academy safety regulations * Other duties as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. **Education and/or Experience:** The ideal candidate will possess a combination of the following education and/or equivalent experience: * Bachelor’s degree in science, environmental education, outdoor education, or a similar field required * 4 years’ experience in developing science, interpretation, informal science education, natural history, outdoor education, and/or theater programming for a wide range of audiences * 4 years’ experience working in an informal/museum or natural science organization, such as zoos, aquariums, and science centers * 4 years’ experience with public speaking and presenting in an informal/museum or natural science education setting or venue * Specialized training and experience in program development and delivery/implementation of two or more of the following areas: early childhood education, natural history collection management and exhibit curation, all age informal science programming, or science curriculum development * 1-2 years’ experience training or coaching staff or volunteers on engagement strategies and program/activity delivery * Familiarity with working in a large, multi-tiered organization a plus * Bilingual in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin preferred **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:** * Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and evaluate informal science programs for diverse audiences. * Ability to partner with a wide range of stakeholders and across the division. * Strong leadership skills. Ability to lead a small to medium-sized team specializing in informal science education for all age audiences. Ability to be a role model for other staff. * Ability to influence others without having direct oversight. * Ability to delegate and train others to meet department goals project deadlines. * Excellent presentation skills and fundamental knowledge of the best practices in interpretation * Excellent natural history, aquarium, and science knowledge and attention to scientific accuracy * Ability to understand and interpret scientific information and make complicated science concepts accessible to general audiences * Detail oriented and able to follow tasks through to completion with little supervision * Excellent written and communication skills * Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously * Ability to view all public floor engagements in a holistic way and plan for future outcomes * Comfort working with live animals including snakes and insects at highly attended floor programs * Proven ability to speak on a microphone in front of groups as large as 100-400 people in a very busy, often loud museum setting * Comfort with teaching small children (0-5 years old) and their care-givers * Developmental knowledge of children aged 0-18 * Maintain a high level of enthusiasm, energy and creativity while performing repetitive, interpretive programs on a regular basis. * Ability to work with staff/volunteers/general public appropriately * Ability to adapt and maintain flexibility in changing environments * Helps to maintain a positive work environment and to work cooperatively and collaboratively within a team. **Language Skills:** * Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. * Ability to write reports and correspondence. * Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals. **Physical Demands & Work Environment:** * The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, and reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The position requires frequent visits to the museum public floor (walking on concrete floors, climbing stairs), extensive time standing, sitting on the floor, intervals of time outdoors in varying environmental conditions, tolerance of high levels of noise, and extensive public speaking, sometimes at a podium and sometimes in noisy environments. Must be able to lift 50lbs. Must be able to perform repetitive motions 50% of the time.