Director of Education

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (NMRMA) is an outgrowth of the Dubuque County Historical Society (DCHS), which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site, is home to the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and supports a national outreach program called RiverWorks Discovery. Its mission is to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive. 

• The Director of Education oversees all interpretive programming at DCHS including educational programs, education-based partnerships, outreach, distance learning and interpretive tours.
• This is a full-time, permanent position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation time, sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental, flex plan, and 403b retirement plan.
• The Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Mathias Ham Historic Site, are committed to embracing diversity, practicing equity, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion.
• We continually strive to achieve a welcoming environment in all our spaces, where our staff and community feel reflected and valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds.
• DEAI values guide and impact all the decisions the museum makes, both internal and external.

Primary duties- Education

• Ensure cohesive implementation of interpretation across all exhibits and programming
• Lead core implementation team for the Interpretive Master Plan
• Partner with various departments to ensure successful implementation of our interpretation plan
• Assist with hiring, scheduling, training, supervising, and mentoring staff in a variety of educational programing and interpretation methods
• Manage the Education team, both directly and through Education leads
• Implement professional development opportunities for Education staff
• Develop and manage an annual budget for the department that includes staffing, annual operating costs, and program revenue
• Assist the Education Department in developing, coordinating, instructing, and implementing educational programming on topics including but not limited to science, conservation, STEM, history, and the rivers of America
• Maintain ability to lead any of NMRMA’s education programming/events as needed, which includes tours, classes and camps, MakerSpace, overnight adventures, behind-the-scenes tours and special events for learners of all ages
• Serve on internal committees to provide input in the exhibit development process to ensure that exhibits contribute to institutional mission and guest experience goals

Additional duties

• Co-Lead DCHS Board of Education Committee meetings quarterly with board chairperson of committee
• Represent DCHS at various community events, conferences, workshops, and other events as required
• Maintain working relationships with local and regional educational organizations to foster new and continued collaboration
• Work collaboratively with other departments, volunteers, the board of directors, and other stakeholders
• Respond to private and public inquiries and media requests in coordination with the Marketing department
• Stay versed in history, conservation, STEM, and other education-based topics, including learning about the animals and artifacts in the institutional collection
• Maintain written records in accordance with established practices and departmental policies
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Relevant college course work and/or a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in museum studies, education, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, ecology, history, anthropology, or related field is required
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in a zoo, aquarium or museum education setting strongly preferred
• Minimum of 4 years of supervisory experience strongly preferred
• Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer (CIG-T) certification from National Association for Interpretation preferred.
• Capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently
• Possess superior decision-making skills to make sound, independent judgments
• Possess superior problem-solving skills to identify problems and suggest solutions
• Must be self-motivated enough to think outside the confines of established procedures to come up with new solutions to old problems
• Demonstrate superb team-building skills with an ability to instill a positive and productive attitude in others
• Must be comfortable around water and working indoors and outdoors in any weather
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
• Must hold or be able to possess an Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois driver’s license within 3 months of hire
• Must be capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR
• Must be able to perform any physical demands of job duties, either with or without reasonable accommodation
• Final candidates will be subject to a reference and background check