Education and Museum Manager

Job Summary

The education Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs, interpretive experiences, and public engagement initiatives that support Fint RiverQuarium and Thronateeska’s missions. This position oversees education staff, volunteers, and interpretive programming while ensuring exhibits and educational offerings remain engaging, accurate, and accessible for visitors of all ages.

The manager serves as the primary liaison between exhibits, education, guest services, schools, community organizations, and internal leadership to create meaningful learning experiences that increase visitation, community involvement, and organizational impact.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop new educational experiences and revenue-generating programs that support the Aquarium and Science Museum’s mission and enhance the guest experience.
• Assist with social media content creation and interpretative signage.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the education portfolio, including sleep-over programs, adult programs, birthday parties, tabling events and other public education experiences.
• Oversee the coordination, staffing, and operational logistics for evening, weekend, and seasonal education programs.
• Coordinate annual program calendars and staffing plans to ensure successful delivery of assigned programs throughout the year.
• Evaluate program participation, guest feedback, and operational outcomes to identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the staffing needs of the education department are maintained by hiring, training, and supervising assigned staff.
• This position will oversee the hiring, payroll, annual reviews (where applicable), etc. of those staff members.
• Research, develop, and present educational programs to school classes, scout groups, camps, and other group.
• Provide unique, interactive, and educational experiences for program participants and guests.
• Ensure safety of guests, animals, and staff through practicing professional classroom, camp, tour, informal programming, and nature exploration management.
• Provides excellent customer service to guests, program participants, and team members/volunteers.
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with personnel from outside organizations and facilities as well as internal facilities teams and leaders.
• Assists with tours, events, promotional activities, etc. as needed.
• Ability to handle animals and facilitate educational animal encounters.
• Maintain records, reports, budgets, and program data.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, education, history, biology, environmental science, public history, interpretation, or related field required. (or equivalent experience).
• 3 or more years of experience in educational programing, preferably in a museum, nature center or similar environment, with at least one year of supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership skills with experience supporting teams and managing projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present information effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Experience developing effective curriculum and lesson plans.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Eperience in developing and reporting on grants.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured and operate facility vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Animal-handling experience or willing to be trained to handle and teach about a variety of animals.
• Volunteer management experience.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Operates standard office and maintenance equipment.
• Regularly lifts up to 25 pounds and performs physical tasks.
• Frequently travels across facility grounds and event spaces.
• Works in both indoor and outdoor environments, in varying weather conditions.
• May be exposed to noise, dust or hazardous materials.