Early Learning Specialist ( Full Time)

Organizational Overview:  DuPage Children’s Museum is nationally acclaimed for its interactive, hands-on experiences, carefully designed to foster curiosity, creativity, problem solving, and innovation through the power of play.  With over 300,000 annual visitors, we partner with 38 school districts as well as approximately 60 social service agencies through our Community Access Network.  We work directly with corporate and foundation supporters and rely on the work of more than 800 volunteers each year.  We provide high-quality early learning resources for parents and offer professional development opportunities to caregivers and teachers.  DuPage Children’s Museum is more than a Museum… it’s a force for early learning! Job Summary: As the Early Learning Specialist, you will manage the early learning and parenting support initiatives of DuPage Children’s Museum; act as the Museum’s internal consultant and advocate in the area of early childhood development and learning for all Museum departments; lead the development of early childhood/learning training and professional development content for museum staff, volunteers and external organizations; and represent the early childhood mission of  DuPage Children’s Museum to outside agencies and institutions.   DCM’s Early Learning Specialist:

•   Functions as the early learning consultant and advocate across all DCM departments, models developmentally appropriate interactions, helps develop both programs and exhibits, consult as a regular member of the Exhibits Experience Team, as exhibit experience consultant and actively participates in the Education Committee.
•   Manages approved Early Childhood/Learning initiatives when appropriate, including, but not limited to, the Family Resource Center, Preschool Summer Camp, classes, Professional Development, the DCM blog and others as assigned.
•   Prepares and oversees the development and preparation of written and other materials to support the early learning and parenting program initiatives of DCM, e.g. DCM Blog, articles for magazines and journals.
•   Develops, prepares and delivers training content and materials based on consultative observation in conjunction with other DCM specialists, the Director of Exhibits and Operations and the Museum Floor Manager.
•   Represents the early learning mission of DCM through professional development; also   presents, participates on professional panels, and creates a variety of materials for outside institutions on behalf of DCM as needed.
•   Acts as a DCM ambassador to area agencies and other institutions to establish and nurture collaborations that foster early learning, parent support and adult education as appropriate.
•   Works with Department Directors to implement a regular program of observation, on the museum floor, to ensure continuing high quality educational experiences.
•   Stays current with Early Learning research and utilizes it to promote Museum education opportunities; oversees the building up and maintenance of a library of research and training materials for the institution.
•  Assists in development and monitoring of relevant budgets.
•  Assists in grant writing and reporting to maintain grant funded early learning and parenting programs. Work with grant writer, as appropriate, to develop strategic approach for prospective donors.

Secondary Responsibilities: 1. Other duties as assigned Job Relationships:

• Supervised by the Director of Education and Outreach.
• Works closely with the  Director of Exhibits and Operations and other staff to develop and deliver appropriate training,
• When acting as Exhibit Experience Consultant, duties are coordinated by the Director of Exhibits and Operations in collaboration with the Director of Education and Outreach.
• Must work collaboratively from within the Education Department to coordinate program initiatives with other DCM departments.

Education and Experience:

• Masters’ level degree  in  areas such as Early Childhood Development, Psychology,  Family and Child Studies, Human Development , or closely related career field required.
• Minimum of five years of experience working with adults and young children in a learning environment, preferably a museum setting.  
• Experience with social constructivist and Reggio Emilia learning models is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:

• Passion for the mission of the museum
• Must work well in a collaborative fast paced environment.
• Have demonstrated leadership skills.
• Must have excellent presentation skills.
• Must have excellent, demonstrated interpersonal skills in working directly with children and families.
• Excellent writing and communication skills essential to communicate with varied DCM constituencies.
• Excellent skills in organizing, determining priorities and taking initiative, willingness and ability to work toward objectives, shifting priorities when needed.
• Good computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, blogging and comfortable with using social media.
• Knowledge of evaluation techniques and software is required.
• Knowledge of budget development and monitoring.
• Be able to work evenings and weekends when required.
• Bilingual Spanish a plus.
• Prior museum, especially children’s museum, experience a plus.

The following abilities are required for the position:  (a) Visually keep track of visitors, materials and exhibit functioning on the museum floor; (b) Comprehend and speak English extensively and clearly with the public; (c) Hear children’s voices; (d) Assist visitors in emergency situations; (e) Display dexterity necessary to facilitate play in the exhibits environment; (f) Stand and move among exhibits for extended periods; (g) Climb up and down stairs or use an elevator daily; (h) Bend, kneel, climb and reach; (i) Lift 25 pounds; Other requirements:

• Negotiate travel locally and nationally
• Tolerate frequent interruptions in the work process
• Perform analysis on data to form reasonable conclusions and be able to demonstrate findings to others.
• Must have driver’s license, own transportation and appropriate liability insurance