The Education & Collections Coordinator is primarily responsible for all educational museum-based programming offered by the Herrett Center. This position directly engages with elementary, secondary, and college students in addition to the general public. By researching, building, and facilitating educational programs, the Education Coordinator directly advances the museum’s mission and the college’s strategic plan. The Education & Collections Coordinator also aides in the preservation and interpretation of museum collections.

Essential Functions

• Present and facilitate educational programs to diverse audiences, including schools and the public, that align with the missions of the College of Southern Idaho and the Herrett Center.
• Develop and maintain educational programs focused on the Herrett Center galleries and collections.
• Creatively integrate state curriculum into school programs.
• Collaborate with museum stakeholders, CSI faculty and staff, and local schoolteachers to build educational programs.
• Engage with CSI students and faculty to build college-level educational programs and presentations.
• Work closely with Herrett Center staff, especially the Events and Academic Coordinator, to plan the logistics of school programs.
• Regularly review and update educational programs based on the audience’s and facility’s needs.
• Develop and facilitate special educational events; including but not limited to the Science Camp-In and summer workshops.
• Create and maintain relationships with local schools and visiting teachers.
• Work with Marketing and Communications in addition to Herrett Center staff to design and distribute promotional materials and on-site hand-outs for educational programs.
• Work with and advocate for the Center’s living collection of reptiles, occasionally using them for programming.
• Promote the use of the Herrett Center to as wide an audience as possible while developing and sustaining internal and external relationships beneficial to the museum’s mission.
• Assist the Herrett Center Director and Collections Technician in the growth of the museum collections, help maintain collections records, and practice basic preventative care.
• Mentor interns, volunteers, and work studies when necessary.
• Ensure the safety of Herrett Center patrons by implementing knowledge of safety codes and regulations.
• Perform outreach to area schools and the CSI campus.
• Use proven practices and information from internal and external stakeholders to solve problems, make decisions, and plan strategically.
• Maintain professional experience appropriate to meet the requirements of the job.
• Partner with Herrett staff to develop, fabricate, and manage museum exhibits.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned by the Herrett Center Director.

Specific Skills & Technical Experience Required

• Maintain working knowledge of museum conservation methods and best practices as established by the American Association of Museums.
• Strong and effective public speaker and oral presenter.
• Able to efficiently manage project time and a complex field trip schedule to allow successful completion of programs and projects.
• Maintain and coordinate the use of hands-on materials related to the museum’s teaching collection.
• Ability to identify trends, problems and opportunities to implement changes or embrace opportunities that further the mission of the Herrett Center.
• Knowledge of museum trends and the ability to stay up to date.
• Skilled in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage large groups of children.

Education/Training Required

Several combinations of education and experience would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Applicants should speak to their qualifications in the following areas with the understanding that several combinations of education and experience will allow for success. 

Education

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Education, Museum Studies, or related field.

Experience

• Experience working in museums.
• Experience in creating and facilitating public and school programs for a variety of ages.
• Experience with museum database software.
• Experience in the design, production, and maintenance of exhibits.
• Experience with, or willing to learn, managing volunteers.
• Experience with, or willing to learn, proper handling of reptiles.

Work Conditions and Schedule

The Herrett Center Education and Collections Coordinator is a non-exempt, 40 hours per week, full-time position. Position occasionally requires some heavy lifting (collections items and educational objects). Working hour adjustments are necessary including evenings, weekends, and during some normal campus holiday closures such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks to meet the needs of the community. 

The College of Southern Idaho is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to cultivating and sustaining an environment in which our employees and learners thrive. The College prohibits discrimination on the basis of any legally protected status.