The Hampton University Museum seeks an experienced educator to
work closely with the Director and our small professional team to serve school
and family audiences with excellence and move the Museum forward at this exciting
critical juncture. The position requires the flexibility to address assigned duties but also to participate as a curator to assist with exhibition development, develop community programs and serve as the lead in the Museum’s Membership program. Must be able to participate in other Museum and University projects as needed and assigned.

Strong verbal and writing skills and the ability to work cooperatively with other staff members are critical.  The Associate Curator reports directly to the Director of the Museum and works closely with the Curator of Collections.

Museum Educator:
• Oversee all services and experiences for school groups, family, and youth
   audiences.
• Conceptualize, design, and implement curriculum, school visits and field trips,
   effectively linking the Museum exhibitions and content to State Standards,
   curricular goals, and teachers’ needs.
• Design and implement programs for families and intergenerational audiences
• Participate as active member of the Museum team, volunteers, and interns.
• Lead walking tours and train new guides.
• Conduct school group visits and train other staff and volunteers to facilitate
   visits.
• In partnership with the Museum team, plan activities and
   resources for our changing exhibitions and permanent galleries.

• Manage School programs and visit logistics, with appropriate staff
• Assist with grant proposal development as it relates to school, youth, and family
  audiences.
• Build partnerships with other collegial, museum, and community organizations;
  school systems
• Develop discovery carts and tactile exhibit exploration kits for families.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.

The Director of Membership and Community Programs

Will work in collaboration with staff and volunteers to provide physical and intellectual access to the museum exhibits, manage volunteers, and administer the membership program.  

Responsibilities 

Membership:

• Collaborate to recruit, renew, and steward museum members.
• Maintain membership database with up-to-date and accurate information.
• Track and execute Member renewals on an ongoing basis.
• Consult on timely and appropriate Member communications.

Volunteers/Docents:

• Recruit, interview, schedule, manage, and support museum docents.
• Train and communicate with volunteers, interns, and docents to provide meaningful visitor experiences.
• Maintain digital and physical applications, files, and records for the volunteer program.
• Track and update volunteer hours in spreadsheet.

Qualifications:  

Five+ years in increasingly responsible education or museum education
  positions.
• Proven record of success in education in the Museum field.

• Classroom experience a plus.
• Knowledge of African American fine art, African, Native American cultures a plus

• Experience, comfort, and demonstrated success working with students and
  across intergenerational audiences.
• Passion for the mission of the Museum and audience engagement.
• Energetic, creative, and organized with impeccable professional accountability
  and work ethic.
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal
  skills.

• Familiarity with the Virginia Standard of Learning requirements a  plus.

Physical Demands: 

Museum educators must be physically able to stand or move around with a group for an hour or longer and be able to climb stairs. Educators frequently walk outdoors during hot or inclement weather. While performing the duties of this position, educators are regularly required to reach with hands and arms, speak for extended periods of time to an audience, work in comparatively noisy environments, listen, and sometimes move at a moderate speed. Educators may need to lift and carry objects such as a small water cooler, walkie-talkie, printed material, small reproduction items, or cleaning supplies

Requirements: 

• A successful candidate with have a M.A. or an M.F.A. in Art History, Humanities, American Studies, and/or Museum Studies and candidates with a concentration in African American, African, and/or American Indian art history will be particularly competitive. 
• Experience working with diverse populations and perspectives.
• Excellent customer service, organization, and communication skills.
• Experience with computers, Microsoft Office suite is essential.  Experience with Past Perfect is preferred.
• Experience working with docents preferred.
• Experience working in a museum setting preferred.

To Apply:

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Applicants should submit a Hampton University Application for Employment for faculty, a letter outlining the candidate’s commitment to the museum field, professional and scholarly work; a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation on company letterhead. Applications may be submitted electronically to vanessa.thaxton-ward@hamptonu.edu or mailed to:

Vanessa D. Thaxton-Ward, Ph. D.
Director
Hampton University Museum
Hampton, VA  23668

**No phone calls