Museum Educational Program Specialist II

State of Maine•Augusta, ME

14h•$47,174 - $65,832•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine State Museum, located in Maine’s capital city of Augusta, serves as a vital cultural resource for students, scholars, lifelong learners, and anyone curious about the state’s past, present, and future. The Maine State Museum has roots that stretch back to the 1830s and is currently preparing to enter a new, exciting phase. The museum has been closed for extensive renovations and is now gearing up to reopen in October 2026, with new exhibits and an education center designed to engage families and students from PreK through grade 8. The museum will be open six days a week (Tuesday–Sunday). This role requires working every other weekend and occasional evenings. The full-time position of Museum Education Program Specialist II will design and implement innovative, engaging, and meaningful gallery experiences for diverse audiences. Assist with staff and volunteer training, oversee daily operations of public spaces and the admissions desk, and play an active role in developing special events. The ideal candidate is familiar with current inquiry-based teaching strategies and is skilled in interdisciplinary, object-based teaching, interpretive writing, and curriculum development. We especially welcome applicants with backgrounds in natural sciences and/or STEM fields.

Requirements

Knowledge of museum artifacts, Maine social history, natural history, and prehistory.
Knowledge of object-based teaching and interpretation methods and techniques, and the required subject matter.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of museum educational and gallery interpretive program design.
Knowledge of Maine Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Common Core Standards.
Knowledge of instructional methods and techniques.
Knowledge of computerized systems, web-based educational tools, and resources.
Knowledge of the stages of human development.
Knowledge of customer service standards.
Ability to perform research studies, develop, plan, and implement interpretive programs.
Ability to prepare, maintain, and disseminate informational material and coordinate special event activities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations.
Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and facilitate groups with different needs.
Ability to execute emergency and evacuation procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to write clearly and effectively.
Ability to observe and analyze an instructional program.
Bachelor's Degree in Museum Studies, Education, Science, or Art History; or related field and two (2) years of experience in planning and presenting public programs related to history, science, visual arts, curriculum development, museum studies, public program development, library, or community center groups.
Related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Developing educational gallery programs and associated materials
Serving as technical training advisor to museum staff and volunteers
Assisting with the day-to-day operations of the museum gallery and admission desk
Planning, developing, and implementing teacher workshops
Develops and presents educational gallery programs and provides formal and informal gallery experiences and interpretations to inform and educate visiting groups and individuals.
Determines visitor needs for programs and makes staff program assignments in order to manage workload and deliver appropriate program subject matter.
Consults with museum staff, experts and scholars in the field, and professional networks in order to remain current in educational methods, decide educational strategies for specific programs, and update materials.
Provides technical assistance to staff, teachers, and others, and operates exhibit areas in accordance with established policies and procedures in order to maintain a safe learning environment and implement educational and interpretive programs.
Confers with state and private educational, scientific, and historical organizations in order to assist in the promotion, preservation, and appreciation of Maine's historic artifacts.
Compiles and creates museum educational programs utilizing a variety of methods and tools in order to achieve identified teaching and/or museum interpretation objectives.
Determines which educational materials have become obsolete in order to replace and/or update them to achieve desired teaching objectives.
Conducts research and collects resource reference materials in order to expand personal expertise on Maine social/natural history and prehistory, and to develop educational and interpretive programs.
Assists in the development and facilitation of a teacher advisory group in order to gather data to inform and determine the types of programs to be created by the museum.
Meets with and discusses curriculum areas with teachers, homeschool instructors, and others in order to understand learning needs and develop programs and resource materials that support teaching goals.
Plans and conducts seminars and workshops for educators to create partnerships that link lesson plans and the school curriculum to the museum’s collections and exhibits.
Assists with staff training and program evaluations in order to maintain program quality and effectiveness.
Assists exhibition planning teams in the development of educationally based interpretative components in order to ensure exhibit display and signage complements program goals.
Assists with day-to-day gallery operation, performing duties such as directing activities of staff and visitors; determining maintenance needs; and exhibit organization, display, and labeling in order to support museum program objectives.

Benefits

Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary.
Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%.
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program.
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness.