Museum Educators
Museum Educators present and/or teach educational programs to the public of all ages and abilities. Educators report to regular Watershed staff and are responsible for taking part in mandatory trainings. Museum Educators are independent contractors who are called upon on a part-time, ad hoc basis. Hours can vary between weekdays and weekends and primarily from April through November.
Independent annual contracts for Museum Educators can be renewed each year.
Responsibilities may include:
- Lead educational programs, workshops, and/or tours in a dynamic and engaging manner, based on an inquiry-based teaching methodology
- Work collaboratively to research, develop and/or prepare for education programs and supplies
- Participate in safety measures and maintenance plans for Nowashe Village as well as the use, care and storage of education materials, in accordance with organizational policies and procedures
- Engage in professional development and training, including best practices in museum education as well as curriculum standards and trends
- Collaborate on the research and development of new or expanded programs and provide input for amendments and improvements
- Take part in the recruitment and training of new museum educators and volunteer docents
Qualifications
- Some content knowledge and eagerness to learn about Connecticut and New England’s history. Some college level study in history, education, or related field preferred
- Experience and a desire to work with museum visitors of all ages, abilities and cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
- Excellent verbal communication skills and dynamic presentation style, able to adapt on the fly to different learning styles
- Collaborative style, flexible and team player, willing to experiment with new material and teaching methods
- Energy and desire to work outdoors
- Reliable and trustworthy to commitments
- Self-starter and ability to work independently
- Those of Indigenous descent are strongly encouraged to apply
Inquiries are welcome on an ongoing basis and can be emailed directly to us. Please send a statement about your qualifications, interest and flexibility and resume. Final applicants will need to complete a background check and provide professional references. No phone calls, please. Educators remain on call for 1 year.
Director of Education
The Watershed History Collective is seeking a Director of Education to join our team. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with a small but dedicated group of staff, educators and volunteers, this position oversees the organization’s historical research, interpretation and public educational programming. In this role, the Director of Education also leads outreach efforts to recruit participants and market educational programs to regional school systems and community organizations. This position offers a unique opportunity to help shape inclusive, place-based education and deepen public understanding of local history.
The role is currently part-time but has significant potential for growth in both scope and responsibility as the organization continues to expand. The workload can fluctuate seasonally with both busy periods tied to active programming and quieter periods dedicated to planning, research and development work. This position is hybrid, allowing for remote work for routine administrative and planning responsibilities, with in-person work required in South Windsor and other locations for teaching and program oversight.
Key Responsibilities
The Director of Education will:
- Maintain an understanding of and alignment with the organization’s strategic goals
- Develop and implement long-range goals, objectives and benchmarks for educational programming and Nowashe Village
- Lead the research, development and delivery of sustainable, high-quality educational programs grounded in scholarship and designed for diverse audiences
- Lead the development and support the implementation of a marketing plan to promote educational programs and expand community engagement
- Oversee policies, procedures, documentation, inventory lists and the overall care of collections, including research and educational materials
- Recruit, train, schedule and evaluate education staff, interns, volunteers and contractors
- Respond to and assist with research requests as needed
- Collaborate on the creation of informational and marketing materials as well as tools to measure community engagement and program impact
- Support collaborations that expand the organization’s visibility, diversify audiences and advance its mission
- Engage in ongoing professional development, including best practices in museum education and current curriculum standards and trends
Qualifications
Applicants must have:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in history, education or a related field
- A desire for some responsibilities to take place outdoors and in historic buildings, which may involve walking uneven terrain, standing for extended periods and carrying educational materials
Preferred qualifications include familiarity with Connecticut history and a strong interest in deepening that knowledge. Successful candidates will also demonstrate:
- Three years of teaching or museum education experience
- Experience developing and maintaining external partnerships
- A collaborative, flexible work style
- Strong organizational, administrative, leadership and communication skills
Application Process
The Watershed History Collective is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
Please submit a resume and a personal statement describing the skills and experience you would bring to the position to Executive Director Carolyn Venne. Final candidates will be required to complete a background check and provide professional references. No phone calls, please.