Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00107134	Description Activated On: 9/23/2026 11:46:04 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This position is assigned to the Pennsylvania Military Museum and is responsible for the museum's education programs, management of the museum's visitor center, research activities in support of programs and exhibits, and training of volunteers and staff engaged in museum educational and informational activities.

This employee performs educational and interpretive work of a full professional nature (guided by PHMC, NPS, and NAI standards) in presenting museum educational programs consisting of classroom study courses, lectures, tours, traveling exhibits, audio-visual displays, and similar instructional programs based upon museum and field site collections and activities, and museum related research activities. Work is performed independently in accordance with PHMC policies and procedures and professional standards under the supervision of the Site Administrator and in cooperation with site and PHMC staff.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Under the direction of the Site Administrator, the Museum Educator develops, implements, and evaluates the museum’s educational and interpretive programs. This work is grounded in primary and secondary source research and informed by current museum teaching methods and curriculum standards. Responsibilities include researching, developing, and presenting lectures, tours, audio‑visual programs, lesson plans, scripts, and other interpretive materials, and delivering these through classroom instruction, onsite programming, or other selected methods. The Museum Educator monitors tours and educational programs to ensure accuracy of content and effective public presentation.

Based on operational needs and under the supervision of the Site Administrator, the Museum Educator manages the museum’s visitor center. Duties include operating the front desk, scheduling events and programs, and recruiting, selecting, and training seasonal and volunteer staff assigned to the visitor center.

The position requires conducting in-depth research to expand personal expertise and public information related to museum collections, exhibits, site features, military organizations, significant operations, conflicts, eras, and related topics for use in museum educational activities. The educator establishes and maintains contacts with schools, historical societies, promotional groups, and other organizations to coordinate onsite and offsite programming.

With assistance from the Museum Curator, the Museum Educator manages the museum’s “For Use Collection,” which includes receiving, cataloguing, storing, and responsibly using historic objects designated for educational programming.

Under the direction of the Site Administrator, the educator serves as liaison to the Friends of the Pennsylvania Military Museum in coordinating, promoting, and conducting programs on site, on museum grounds, and at offsite events.

Based on operational needs and under the supervision of the Site Administrator, the Museum Educator further develops and manages the site volunteer program, resident intern program, and both permanent and volunteer guide programs. Responsibilities include researching, developing, and designing promotional and educational materials for distribution to schools, historical societies, promotional groups, and other prospective visitors.

In accordance with PHMC policies and procedures, and in cooperation with site and PHMC staff, the Museum Educator is responsible for planning, implementing, and supervising programs involving historical military weaponry demonstrations, including small arms and artillery from 1747 to the present.

The educator prepares reports of educational and interpretive activities and evaluates the impact and success of presentations. Additional duties include completing required forms and reports; serving on site or PHMC committees; representing the museum and PHMC at public meetings, community gatherings, and professional conferences; and acting as liaison with regional preservation, tourism, and historical organizations as assigned.

The Museum Educator shares general site operational duties, including covering lunch periods, answering phones, opening and closing the facility, operating the admissions and guest services desk and orientation equipment, assisting during facility rentals and special events, and maintaining public and personal work areas.

The position requires occasional travel to other PHMC sites to review interpretation and programming, prepare related reports, and provide advice on museum education issues.
Incumbent is responsible for understanding and following PHMC general and position-specific safety rules, working safely at all times, reporting workplace injuries or incidents immediately, and correcting or reporting any safety hazards.
Performs related work as required.
Adheres to PHMC Core Values.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

The Educator will work under the direction of the Site Administrator, and will review major planning, policy, scheduling, and supervisory decisions with the Site Administrator. Results are reviewed through regular conferences, periodic reports, and evaluations.

Makes daily and emergency decisions regarding visitor safety.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.   N/A

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Climb ladders and lift up to 50 pounds.
2.	Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
3.	Work without direct supervision.
4.	Conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources; read and interpret written materials
5.	Drive a vehicle and travel on and off-site, including overnight travel as assigned.
6.	Use a computer and maintain and update electronic records.
7.	Organize, plan and implement projects, and manage several projects simultaneously.
8.	Develop and maintain effective working relationships with people of all ages and backgrounds.
9.	Compose correspondence and articles, scripts and story lines for presentations, and publicity material.
10.	Represent the museum in the community and among professional organizations.