Classification: Full Time

Department: Museum and Education

Work Location: Museum of the Grand Prairie (Mahomet, IL)

FSLA:  Exempt

IMRF: Eligible

Pay: $47,000 Annually (plus benefits)

Hours: Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, unless otherwise scheduled. Some evenings, weekends, and an occasional holiday will be required depending on program needs.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Education Program Specialist II is responsible for developing and implementing history programs, and occasionally cultural history programs, for people of all abilities and backgrounds served by the Museum and Education Department.

Supervisory Relationships

The Education Program Specialist II is supervised by the Youth Programs Manager. The Education Program Specialist II supervises the Education Program Specialist I, the Garden Program Specialist and the Day Camp Educator.  This position may also supervise volunteers.

Essential Duties

• Develop and present formal and non-formal cultural history programs throughout the District and at off-site locations.

• Develop curriculum, schedule staff to teach, and communicate with other staff about program locations.

• Register, schedule, confirm, present and evaluate school field trip programs. Coordinate all aspects of educational visits, including set-up and clean-up, distribution of pre- and post-trip materials to teachers and related groups, and development of any supplemental materials.

• Develop and maintain strong contacts with area schools to access their needs and revise programs accordingly. This includes ensuring the alignment of programs with State Learning Standards and Common Core Standards.

• Develop cultural day camp programs, register participants and send confirmations. Present and evaluate cultural day camp programs.

• Develop, present, and evaluate teacher workshops.

• Hire, train, and supervise part-time and seasonal program staff.

• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers, working closely with the District Volunteer Coordinator.

• Perform safety orientation for part time staff, seasonal staff, and volunteers.

• Participate in the creation and implementation of new programs as assigned by Youth Programs Manager, and as guided by the District’s mission, Interpretive Plan and Strategic Plan.

• Collaborate with staff on the development of interpretive themes, exhibit-related hands-on activities, outreach materials for area schools and related groups.

• Assist with establishing short and long term action plans in accordance with District’s mission, Interpretive Plan and Strategic Plan.

• Perform all job tasks in compliance with the District’s Safety Manual and the department training manual.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Make annual budget recommendations and maintain adequate fiscal controls to ensure costs are within budgetary limits.

• Promptly respond to safety hazards and concerns.

• Maintain database for the education program records and schedules. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in education, American history, and/or material culture or certification as an Illinois teacher preferred.

• Experience teaching children in some capacity is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, safety awareness and judgment.

• Excellent problem solving ability, strong organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to work effectively without direct supervision.

• Ability to supervise others, specifically volunteers.

• Moderate skill in the use of Microsoft Office.

• Fluent and able to communicate in English—bilingual skills a plus.

• Valid driver’s license required.

• CPR/AED and First Aid certification, or the ability to become certified within 12 months of employment

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in a shared office suite within a museum setting. While performing this   job, the employee regularly utilizes standard office equipment, including a computer. Some work will be performed outdoors in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, or ice. Employee may be exposed to hazardous flora and fauna (e.g. poison ivy, wild parsnip, biting/stinging insects, ticks) and chemicals (e.g. cleaning supplies or herbicides/pesticides).

The employee will have frequent interaction with co-workers as well as program participants and patrons. Ability to talk and hear or otherwise effectively communicate is required.  Prolonged standing, walking, or hiking on unpaved/uneven terrain may be required during programs. Duties may also include climbing, stooping, twisting, balancing, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. The employee may regularly handle, grasp, or feel objects; reach, push, or pull to reposition items; and will occasionally lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height or above and up to 50 pounds to carrying height.

Use of personal protective equipment will be required based on job specific tasks.  This may include, but is not limited to, the following items:

• Closed toed shoes

• Reflective vest or hi-vis shirt

• Protective gloves

• Safety goggles or glasses

• Earplugs or ear covers

• Respirators or masks

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described above are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Reasonable accommodations may be made, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please Note: Studies have shown that people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, women and other excluded or historically excluded people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe that they meet every one of the qualifications as stated in the job description. The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role. 

EOE Statement

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, Interested candidates must submit an application directly to www.ccfpd.org (Get Involved, Employment, Current Vacancies). Review of applicants will begin 05/12/2023.