HEAD OF EDUCATION - MUSEUM

HEAD OF EDUCATION - MUSEUM

Salary

$68,744.00 - $109,969.60 Annually

Location

Schiele Museum (1500 E Garrison Blvd), Gastonia, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

01776

Department

Museum

Division

Schiele Museum/Programs

Opening Date

07/13/2026

Closing Date

7/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits

General Definition of Work

Professionally manages the museum program staff to deliver exceptional education, planetarium and exhibits-based programs that share the mission of the Schiele Museum with the community. Plans, develops and delivers museum educational products directly and through the supervised work of staff, interns and volunteers. Manages and maintains program resources including staff, budgets, equipment and teaching spaces. Work is performed under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Interpretation.

Essential Functions/Duties

Leads the planning, development, implementation, delivery and evaluation of all museum program services, including school field trip programs, outreach programs, planetarium programs, public events, children's camps and other special events.

Supervises and directs program personnel, including staff, interns and volunteers; (20%)

Manages and maintains teaching resources such as supplies, equipment, indoor and outdoor learning spaces and the planetarium theater; (10%)

Leads the planning, production and implementation of program content in education and planetarium programs, effectively considering variables including resource capabilities, the museum mission, audience needs, feasibility considerations and audience needs; (20%)

Develops program strategies that meet organizational attendance and revenue goals; (5%)

Makes assignments for human resources to fulfill program obligations and monitors for acceptable standards of quality. Teaches programs and facilitates events on a regular basis; (5%)

Works with the Assistant Director for Interpretation to prepare annual and project budgets. Manages established budgets for the planetarium and educational programs. Directs and supervises departmental purchasing; (5%)

Works cooperatively with external partners to creatively serve the community with programming that responds to new and existing opportunities to share the mission of the museum; (5%)

Participates in the development of grant proposals to support educational endeavors. Develops program responses, writes proposals, establishes budgets and participates in other activities as needed.; (5%)

Uses formal and informal evaluation strategies to ensure that program products meet desired goals; (5%)

Interfaces with other departments, including exhibits, maintenance, guest services, rentals, membership and live animal services to support the multiple operations, functions and endeavors across the institution. (15%) Performs related tasks as assigned; (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A creative mindset and inspirational attitude capable of building, motivating and leading others and maintaining a dynamic, collaborative and positive departmental culture. Thorough knowledge of museum program development processes, informal teaching strategies, and the integration of museum content into presentations. An excellent understanding of the North Carolina and South Carolina school learning standards, and the ability to create mission based, engaging and marketable programs to meet the needs of field trip and outreach audiences. Excellent understanding of the operation of specialized learning environments, such as the planetarium, exhibit galleries, and outdoor interpretive sites with the ability to develop, direct and deliver programs in these environments. A high ability to organize and manage diverse human resources; assess capabilities, motivate employees and maximize the impact of staff, interns and volunteer resources in the delivery of programs that meet the museum's mission, serve our community, and support revenue goals. Excellent ability to communicate ideas and information effectively, in live presentations, written, video and online formats to successfully meet the needs of audiences, staff and collaborators.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation for an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in education, science, history or anthropology or related fields. Minimum five years teaching experience in an informal setting such as a museum, park, zoo, or aquarium. Minimum three year's management experience in developing and directing educational content in a museum setting preferred.

Physical Demands:

1. The physical activity of this position includes:

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Office Environment Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: preparing and analyzing data and figures; computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices;
• The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following:

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

• None: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in a typical office or administrative work environment).

Special Requirements/Additional Information:

Must possess a valid appropriate drivers license with acceptable driving history.

Drug screening and criminal background checks required.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H

High Deductible Health Plan with HSA

Dental

Vision

Life

Supplemental Insurance Plans

Pension (Local Government Employees Retirement System)

401(k)

457

Short-term/Long-term Disability

Dependent Care Plan

Employee Assistance Program

On-Site Health Clinic

Employee Educational Assistance Program

Sick Leave (12 days per year)

Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year

Holidays (11 days per year)

Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at City of Gastonia Employee Benefits Handbook

Employer City of Gastonia

Address 181 South Street

Gastonia, North Carolina, 28052

Phone (704) 866-6859

(704) 866-6858

Website https://gastonianc.gov/