Interpretation Supervisor

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Supervisor oversees the execution of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ Interpretation vision specifically in the designated themed galleries. 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 designated galleries including maintenance, safety, and scheduling of high-quality interpretive experiences. The supervisor assesses staffing needs and coordinates the logistical aspects of hiring and training gallery interpreters, lead 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 building and sustaining an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates differences. We believe that collaboration and open dialogue among people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives best support our vision and mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, science, museum studies, or comparable work experience.
Three (3) years of experience working with children in an educational environment - formal or informal.
Two (2) years of people management experience and organizational abilities to plan and administer budgets and ensure gallery records are kept in order and timelines are met.
Demonstrated written and oral communication skills as well as collaborative skills to work with teams across the museum.
Strong creative talents and self-initiative to develop training and coaching plans to implement interpretive programs.
Demonstrated 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.
A good educator who is trustworthy and willing to share information and serve as a mentor.
Requires excellent problem-solving and negotiation skills.
A persistent self-motivator who can work with minimal oversight and achieve team goals on a consistent basis in an environment that highly values accessibility and inclusion.
Requires an individual who is committed to providing exceptional customer service to children and their families.
Must be able to observe gallery space, view activities and exhibit components, and use computers.
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.
Must have dexterity for keyboarding, manipulating activities, exhibit cleaning, maintenance, and handling of collections materials.
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.

Responsibilities

Serves in a supervisory capacity leading staff, volunteers, and interns in interpretive techniques for educational experiences within the galleries.
Supports the monitoring and achievement of the goals and objectives for operations and interpretation for galleries.
Actively models appropriate museum theatre and gallery interpretation performance techniques and activities to foster family learning. Sets an example and exemplifies top notch interpretive programs by performing and presenting programs in galleries on an ongoing, regular basis.
Manages interpretation associated staff, volunteers and interns. Overseeing program performance expectations for the team by planning, organizing, and presenting trainings and coaching. Performs formal staff observations of program performance quarterly to assess program effectiveness.
Schedules and monitors appropriate staffing of galleries. Works with departmental colleagues to rotate staff and volunteers effectively through museum areas; cross trains, develops, and oversees a strong pool of staff.
With department management, assesses staffing needs, participates in hiring, and supervises staff and volunteers providing on-going evaluation, coaching, and support.
Supports and achieves financial plans for areas of responsibility. Coordinates fiscal resources for operational success by managing associated budgets and allocated operational and staffing resources in concert with Interpretation Management.
Supports development of and presents programming for schools and groups. Plans and implements special events cooperatively with other museum staff.
Works in concert with Interpretation operations co-workers to ensure that galleries are maintained to the museum standards. Personally conducts gallery maintenance inspections to note condition of all exhibit components and reports maintenance and safety concerns to appropriate staff.
Must work a flexible weekday, weekend, and some holidays schedule, including 1-2 evenings per month for special events. The Museum is open 6-7 days per week.
TEAM-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES STEM: Supports the health and wellbeing of the living gallery elements of the ScienceWorks pond by overseeing the tracking and maintenance of supplies and pond maintenance; elevating issues of concern of the health and wellbeing of living gallery elements.
HUM: Works in concert with colleagues in Early Childhood to provide a seamless guest experience in Playscape and to ensure the educational pedagogy of Playscape is part of training, programming, and staffing plans.