Interpretation Supervisor, Humanities & Playscape

OVERVIEW: 

The Humanities Supervisor oversees the execution of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ Interpretation vision specifically in the Humanities-themed gallery spaces, which may include: Power of Children, Take Me There, Carousel of Wishes and Dreams, All Aboard, Fireworks of Glass as well as the Early Childhood gallery, Playscape. The incumbent manages the daily interpretation program offerings and the oversight of staff performing and presenting in the galleries. They supervise the operations of the Humanities and Playscape galleries including maintenance, safety, and scheduling of high-quality interpretive experiences. The supervisor is responsible for assessing staffing needs and coordinating the logistical aspects of hiring and training gallery facilitators, lead interpreters, actor/interpreters, and volunteers. The incumbent personally sets an example for others through the study and delivery of interpretation while employing appropriate techniques for fostering family learning.

The Children’s Museum is fiercely devoted to our Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) efforts. Together we are building and sustaining an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates differences.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Serves in a supervisory capacity leading staff, volunteers and interns in interpretive techniques for educational experiences within the Humanities related experiences.
2. Develops goals and objectives for operations and interpretation for Humanities-themed galleries.
3. Actively models appropriate museum theatre and gallery interpretation performance techniques and activities to foster family learning. Sets an example and exemplifies top notch interpretive program by performing and presenting programs in galleries on an ongoing, regular basis. Manages the associated staff, volunteers and interns who work within the Humanities and Playscape-themed experiences.
4. Schedules and monitors appropriate staffing of Humanities-themed and Playscape galleries. Works with departmental colleagues to rotate staff and volunteers effectively through museum areas; cross trains, develops and oversees a strong pool of interpretive experts.
5. With department management, assesses staffing needs, participates in hiring procedures, and supervises staff and volunteers providing on-going evaluation and ample one-on-one meeting time.
6. Plans, organizes, and presents trainings for Humanities experiences.
7. Supports and implements effective financial plans for all areas of responsibility. Coordinates fiscal resources for operational success managing associated budgets and allocated resource allocations. Oversee the ordering of supplies for programming in concert with Interpretation Operations.
8. Supports development of and presents programming for schools and groups. Plans and implements special events cooperatively with other museum staff.
9. Writes copy for museum publications and gallery signage.
10. Develops community contacts with volunteers, contract artists, interns and other resources and content experts and leverages relationships for the museum.
11. Works in concert with Interpretation Operations co-workers to ensure that gallery maintenance is maintained to the museum standards. Personally conducts gallery maintenance inspections to note condition of all exhibit components. Replace or relay the need for repair to appropriate personnel and follow up as required.
12. Works closely with Early Childhood to provide a seamless guest experience in Playscape and to assure educational pedagogy of Playscape is part of training, programming, and staffing plans.

REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Bachelor’s degree in humanities, theater, education, museum studies, or comparable work experience.
2. Three (3) years of experience working with children in an educational environment - formal or informal.
3. Two (2) years of supervisory experience and organizational abilities to plan and administer budgets and ensure gallery records are kept in order and timelines are met.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as collaborative skills to work with staff across the museum.
5. Strong creative talents and self-initiative to develop and implement interpretive programs.
6. Requires the ability to manage people and projects in a creative and fast-paced professional environment. An energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards.
7. A good educator who is trustworthy and willing to share information and serve as a mentor.
8. Requires excellent problem-solving skills and negotiation skills.
9. A persistent self-motivator who can work with minimal oversight and achieve team goals on a consistent basis in an environment that highly values diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
10. Requires an individual who is committed to providing exceptional customer service to children and their families.

ADA REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Must be able to observe gallery space, view activities and exhibit components, and use computers. 
2. Must be able to communicate face-to-face and through telephone conversations with staff, youth and public.  Must be able to project voice when presenting. 
3. Must have dexterity for keyboarding, manipulating activities, general office work and program facilitation.
4. Must be able to stand, walk and sit for extended periods; bend, kneel, climb and reach.  Requires ability to lift 40 pounds.  Must be able to work outdoors and tolerate dust in the environment.