Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00107134	Description Activated On: 6/20/2024 9:12:50 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.

The museum educator is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the museum's educational and interpretive programs based on primary and secondary source historical research, and analysis of current applicable museum teaching methodology and curriculum standards. Work involves researching, developing, and presenting lectures, tours, audio-video programs, preparing lesson plans, scripts, or other methods of presentation, and presenting the material through lectures, classroom instruction, or other selected methods. The museum educator monitors tours and programs for accuracy of content and presentation to the public.

Management of the museum's visitor center includes the operation of the front desk, scheduling of events and programs, assisting the Site Administrator in recruiting, selecting, and training of seasonal and volunteer staff who work in the visitor center.

Work involves the conduct of in-depth research to develop information about museum collections, exhibits, site features, military organizations, significant military operations, conflicts, and eras/periods, and related topics for use in museum educational and informational activities. Work also involves establishing and maintaining contacts and coordinating activity schedules with schools, local historical societies and promotional groups, and other groups and individuals that may benefit from onsite or offsite, educational, and instructional programming.

Acts as the custodian, with assistance from the museum curator, of the museum's "For Use Collection", which involves receiving, cataloguing, storing and using historic objects designated “for use” in programming.

Acts as liaison with the Friends of the Pennsylvania Military Museum (FPMM) in coordinating, promoting, and conducting programs performed in the museum, on the grounds, and during off site programming.

The museum educator also further develops and manages the site volunteer program, resident intern program, and permanent and volunteer guide programs; and researching, developing, and designing promotion and educational materials to be sent to schools, local historical societies, promotional groups, and other groups interested in visiting the PA Military Museum.

The museum educator is responsible for the planning, implementation, and supervision of programs utilizing military weaponry for demonstration purposes, including the era’s of 1747 to present, including but not limited to small arms and artillery, in accordance with PHMC policies and procedures under the direction of the Site Administrator and in cooperation with site and PHMC staff.

Prepares reports of educational and interpretive activities, including evaluation of impact and success of presentations.

Completes various forms and reports as required.

The employee serves on site and PHMC committees as assigned. The educator may be assigned to serve as site and PHMC liaison with community and regional preservation, tourism and historical organizations as assigned. The educator may be assigned to represent the PA Military Museum and PHMC at public meetings and professional conferences.

The employee shares site operational duties including covering lunch periods for staff and volunteers; answering phones; opening and closing duties; operating the admissions and guest services desk and orientation equipment; assisting in site operation and oversight during facility rentals and special events; and cleaning public and personal work areas; as assigned.

Performs related work as required.

Adheres to PHMC Core Values.

Travels occasionally to other PHMC sites to review interpretation and programming and may prepare reports for those sites. Acts as an advisor on museum education issues as needed.

Incumbent is responsible to be familiar with PHMC general safety rules and safety rules specific to this position; for working in a safe manner and following all PHMC safety rules; immediately report all workplace injuries or incidents to their supervisor; and to immediately correct any safety hazards in the work area or report same to supervisor.

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

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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.