Culture & Arts Education Coordinator (O. Henry Museum)

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) provides, protects and preserves a park system that promotes quality recreational, cultural and outdoor experiences for the Austin community. Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

The purpose of the Culture & Arts Education Coordinator position is to, under general supervision, coordinate, assign, direct, and perform tasks in the development and implementation of cultural arts programs and activities of assigned areas at the O. Henry Museum; including the day-to-day management and care of assigned collections, exhibits, records, material assets, and other City-owned, loaned, or borrowed property. Other relevant duties may include:

• Manage, plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate collections related budgets.
• Supervise museum personnel, volunteers, and students.
• Help plan and implement relevant programs, exhibits, and events.
• Develop collaborative relationships with a wide variety of Austin area stakeholders.

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

1. Leads employees, contractors, or volunteers to accomplish assigned educational programs, activities, and events in the assigned areas of cultural arts. Recruits, supervises, and trains staff and volunteers.
2. Develops and monitors assigned budgets. Conducts and reviews needs assessments and establishes short- and long-range plans for assigned areas. Prepares and reviews reports.
3. Plans, develops, coordinates, evaluates, and improves education programs, activities, and events for assigned areas.
4. Oversees the use, care of, and resource allocations of assigned facilities, collections, grounds, and equipment and recommends facility improvements and asset acquisition and deaccessions. Coordinates assigned City-wide events and ensures timely development, resource allocation, and scheduling of activities and events.
5. Assigns job duties, work schedules, and monitors task completion. Reviews work of others for completeness and quality.
6. Coordinates the design and creation of necessary materials to market and promote programs.
7. Maintains relationships with professional colleagues, organizations, and community groups to ensure quality of cultural education programs.
8. Represents the City and department with the public regarding assigned areas of responsibility.
9. Applies for, obtains, and monitors funds from grants, foundations, and donations.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Knowledge of principles, best practices, and methods for development, design, and coordination of cultural programs, activities, and events.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Skill in conducting presentations on behalf of a public entity.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.

Education and/or Equivalent Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field plus one (1) year of experience related to the development and implementation of the assigned programs.
• One (1) year of additional experience may substitute for one (1) year of college, up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• May require certification in CPR, First Aid, Water Safety Instruction, or other areas as specified for the assigned class.
• Appropriate certifications as specified for the assignment.
• Texas Class “C” Driver or Commercial Driver license if required for the assignment.

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Museum Studies, Public History, Anthropology, or a related field.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with museum collections including acquisition, loan documentation, storage, preservation, disposition, and maintenance of all museum related materials.
• Experience supervising and training museum temporary employees and/or volunteers/docents.
• Experience with interpreting historic subject matter through exhibits, public programs, or online outlets.
• Experience in conducting living history programs for the public.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Museum Collections Management Software such as PastPerfect.
• Intermediate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience in marketing outreach using social media.

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.