Public Programs Educator

POSITION: PUBLIC PROGRAMS EDUCATOR  

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-Time (Nonexempt)
DEPARTMENT: Public Programs 
ORGANIZATION: Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) 
LOCATION: 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024 
WEBSITE:

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: 

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) helps children and families thrive at home, at school, and in the community. Our offerings embrace the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities and include exhibitions, classes, workshops, performances, and festivals. Our programs and exhibits are designed to address the multiple ways children learn and to help parents understand and support their children’s development. CMOM’S special areas of focus include early childhood education, creativity, health, and world cultures.

Founded in 1973 by parents as a grassroots neighborhood organization, CMOM has flourished. Today, it is a beloved citywide resource for children, families, and educators and a popular destination for visitors from around the world. Each year approximately 350,000 people visit our 38,000 square-foot learning facility on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Hundreds of thousands more benefit from CMOM’s outreach programs at schools, libraries, homeless shelters, Head Start centers, and hospitals; its touring exhibitions; and its online tools and curricula. 

  ABOUT THE POSITION: 

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) seeks energetic individuals who possess a passion for education and working with young children to join our team of Public Programs Educators. This role provides the opportunity to play, explore, and connect with visitors as they navigate the exhibits of CMOM and participate in special drop-in programs produced by the public programs staff. The Public Programs Educator enhances the visitor's experience by leading a series of public programs that involve music, movement, art, science, literacy, and culture. While leading these programs, facilitators help children (Birth-8), accompanied by their caregivers, practice developmental skills and connect the activity to a larger theme, all while engaging in sensorial, social, expressive, and constructive play. In this role educators can exercise and extend their early childhood educational skills in a collaborative and informal setting. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead a variety of drop-in programs and activities, including artmaking, storytelling, and facilitated play, along with music and movement activities for visiting families and children; 

• Assist in quality control and reset of exhibition spaces, including books, toys (manipulatives), art supplies, and teaching objects; 

• Assist in the preparing materials for future family programs; 

• Create a welcoming environment for families by greeting children and caregivers upon arrival, guiding them through activities, and providing materials and information to help families confidently navigate the space; 

• Assist Museum Clean Team in disinfecting, cleaning and maintaining program areas and exhibit spaces. 

*Other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Demonstrated experience working with young children (ages 0 - 6) and families in either informal or formal education settings, such as museums or cultural institutions, preschools or daycares, afterschool programs, summer camps or recreational settings. 

• Enthusiasm and curiosity for learning and mastering new skills on an on-going basis in arts education, early childhood, health, and S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) 

• Demonstrated ability to and interest in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds 

• Ability to interact with patrons and colleagues with a great sense of enthusiasm, diplomacy, and professionalism 

• Excellent interpersonal and professional communication skills 

• Work independently as well as with a team or co-teacher 

• Can effectively communicate educational content and adjust teaching approaches based on constructive feedback and/or modeled teaching styles 

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time 

 
Additional preferred experience: 

• Experience in inquiry-based teaching and object observation 

• Demonstrated abilities in dynamic storytelling or musical performance

• Proficiency in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish to support day-to-day communication with staff and visitors.

• Background in or studies in performing arts and/or visual arts

• Background work or studies in early childhood development and/or early childhood education

• Experience working with children with special needs, a plus 

• Undergraduate degree (acquired or in the process) in arts education and/or early childhood education.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Commitment of 2-3 days per week, Wednesday and Sunday Availability Required

• Must be available to work holidays 

• Must attend orientation and professional development workshops, as scheduled 

RATE OF PAY: 

Hourly wage: $20.50/hour 

The Children's Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.