Programs Specialist

The Anchorage Museum sits on the traditional homeland of the Eklutna Dena'ina. The Museum is committed to recognizing and honoring the land, culture, and language of the Dena'ina people. We recognize and respect the continuing connection, by Alaska Native people and all Indigenous people, to the land, waters, and communities.
Our mission is to be museum for people, place, planet, and potential, in service of a sustainable and equitable North, with creativity and imagination for what is possible. We are a place of ideas and transformation, narratives and perspectives, resilient and relevant communities, responsive to a rapidly changing world toward a better future for all.
We welcome diverse perspectives and recognize all are enriched when a diversity of voices, viewpoints, and skills are included and engaged in the work we do.
Summary Position Statement
Under the general direction of the Director of Programs, the Programs Specialist is responsible for the development and delivery of fee-based education and public programming that crosses discipline boundaries and uses the talents and knowledge of staff, community partners, and the material and intangible resources of the Anchorage Museum to provide innovative experiences that enhance understanding and foster curiosity about Alaska and the circumpolar North and help service the public mission of the Museum. This position works evenings and weekends.
Essential Functions

• Collaborates with Museum staff and departments to facilitate a variety of fee-based programs for all Museum audiences. Programs may include but are not limited to experiences in the Thomas Planetarium, Museum galleries and exhibitions, Museum events in the atrium and throughout the public spaces of the Museum, classes, outdoor spaces, and schools.
• Develop and supervise birthday party programs that emphasize the educational element of the Museum with engaging activities that appeal to young audiences.
• Develop, staff, and schedule overnight programs for school groups, community organizations, and members.
• Work within project teams on museum events such as festivals, symposia, evening programs, and free days. Coordinate the bi-monthly Programs and Exhibitions guide
• Identify individual audience needs and goals and implement attainable timelines for projects and programs.
• Manage related project or program budgets, contracts, and reporting.
• Work directly with Marketing and Public Relations on vehicles used for promotion.
• Participate as part of a team overseeing the arrangement, inventory, and upkeep of Museum classrooms, the Discovery Center, and other spaces.
• This is a full-time position and days worked may alter based on department and programming needs.
• Recruit, supervise, coordinate, train and evaluate volunteers and docents to ensure safety, rich learning experiences and consistent program delivery and evaluation.

Non-Essential Functions

• Research current trends in fee-based programs and share with other Museum staff the latest trends and forward-thinking approaches.
• Prepare and analyze statistical reports, including tracking volunteer/docent hours and audiences
• Participate in facility-rental events and other private and/or special events as requested.
• Perform other related tasks as required.
• Work to support events such as volunteer recognition events, open houses, workshops, trainings and other needs.
• As needed, serve as a point of contact and communication for adult volunteers and for teen volunteers and their parents/guardians.
• Develop and monitor budget areas or line items as needed/directed

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work professionally and collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a team-oriented environment
• Excellent team member and collaborator
• Maintain a positive attitude and convey a customer-service attitude internally and externally, being a role model for teamwork and the greater organizational good
• Innovative, team-oriented, and highly motivated
• Able to handle multiple tasks and projects with changing priorities as required
• Strong organizational skills and ability to set and carry out short-term goals while keeping long-term goals in mind
• Initiative to undertake and complete tasks and projects as they arise
• Driven, energetic, highly collaborative and results oriented
• Good research, planning, and organizational skills; strong work ethic and follow-through; and excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to the social sector, with an interest in and enthusiasm for museums and/or science education
• Must be able to work a weekday and weekend schedule as needed, including occasional evenings, and some holidays

Qualifications
We recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description, we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Position descriptions are often presented in a way that leaves qualified candidates feeling unwelcome, intimidated, uncomfortable and/or unqualified to apply. Recognizing that, we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.
Employee Expectations
As a Museum employee, the incumbent is expected to model the following traits:

• Foster and maintain open communication and collaboration and actively engage in the exchange of ideas and maintain constructive relationships
• Initiative and creativity in all aspects of the position
• Lead by example by maintaining a high standard of professional ethics and conduct
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect
• Support and uphold the policies, and procedures of the Museum

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.