Education Volunteer Specialist, School Programs at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center – Santa Barbara, California

Title: Education Volunteer Specialist, School Programs

Classification: Part-Time, non-exempt

Division: Education

Reports To: School Programs Manager

Wage Band: Specialist I

Compensation: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour*

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: The Education Volunteer Specialist supports the School Programs Manager and School Programs Specialist with day-to-day support of a cohort of volunteer Museum Educators. Under the direction of the School Programs Manager, and with guidance of the Volunteer Programs Manager, this role will assist with the training and mentoring of Museum Educator volunteers on the facilitation of all onsite school programs at the Museum campus during the school year. Summer responsibilities will be to support Hall Ambassador volunteers by training to facilitate activities at informal interpretive stations throughout the Museum exhibits and grounds.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Facilitate on-site programming and instruction of Museum campus school programs for grades K-12 on weekday mornings as needed.
• In collaboration with School Programs Manager and School Programs Specialist, assign Museum Educators to scheduled programming as needed.
• Support School Programs Manager in the development and facilitation of Museum Educator and Hall Ambassador Trainings.
• In collaboration with the School Programs Manager, identify Museum Educators to facilitate different school programs, providing shadowing opportunities, and mentoring to improve their skills.
• Maintain and update registry of active volunteer Museum Educators and their contact information, in collaboration with School Programs and Volunteer Managers.
• Establish and foster relationships with new and continuing volunteer Museum Educators and help School Programs Manager plan and support appreciation events.
• Support weekly training sessions for Museum Educators during the school year, including updating relevant materials to the Museum’s internal resource website for volunteer program preparation.
• Train and mentor Museum Educators and Hall Ambassadors to help them grow in their program facilitation skills.
• Collaborate with School Programs Manager on developing and implementing volunteer evaluation.
• Support School Programs Manager in updating Museum Educator web page and promotional materials for education volunteer opportunities at the Museum for recruitment purposes.
• Participate in and contribute to the Education Division and select Museum meetings.
• Maintain open communication with the School Programs Manager and Volunteer Programs Manager to ensure a supportive environment for Museum Educator and Hall Ambassador Volunteers.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests, and the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Proven success as an educator: classroom-based, museum education, or other.
• Associate’s degree or higher, preferably in education and/or science, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness and capacity to efficiently learn and facilitate all Museum-based school programs.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and follow-through (in-person, by phone & through email) with volunteers, staff and the general public.
• Must be available to work Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, occasional weekends, and occasional early mornings and afternoons throughout the year.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service in a flexible, highly demanding arena.
• Even temperament, comfortable with last-minute changes.
• Must be professional and polite while working with Museum guests, visiting students, teachers, and volunteers.
• Dedicated to implementing inclusive programming, considering the diverse community we serve.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient with databases, experience with computer booking software is highly preferred.
• Spanish fluency, written and oral, a plus.
• Familiarity and knowledge of Next Generation Science Standards.
• Familiarity and knowledge on inquiry-based learning and experiential teaching techniques and practices.
• Awareness of and interest in current events and developments in environmental and conservation science.
• Flexibility to transition work schedule to Sunday – Thursday during the summer to support the weekend Hall Ambassadors is preferred.

Work Environment:

• Some telephone and computer work (repetitive movement-typing).
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending with occasional lifting of light to loads (10-20 lbs.).
• Frequently outdoors on Museum property and in exhibit halls, etc.
• Works with small and large groups (up to 200 students).
• Works in a shared, open office setting.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.