Duties: Under the supervision of the Education Manager – PlayHouse, the Education Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Create and facilitate programs for children, adults, and families that promote PlayHouse’s mission of helping children become explorers and creators of the world, and align with the facility learning approach.
• Establish and maintain relationships with schools, scout groups, and others.
• Train PlayHouse floor staff in play facilitation and open-ended making.
• Manage and facilitate the Real Tools maker space, including organization of the space, materials, and in-kind donation program.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Community Engagement Manager and community volunteers to offer programs that support cultural diversity.
• Design and compile kits and offsite programs that take the PlayHouse experience into schools, events, and other settings.
• Learn all aspects of front-of-house work in order to be able to fill in those roles.
• Participate in discussions with educators throughout the Park District to collaborate and cross-promote wherever possible.
• Use the Park District point of sale program to book field trips and other programs.
• Follow and support all aspects of the Park District’s safety program.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education: College degree preferred. Extensive experience in an education position with similar duties or responsibilities may be substituted for all of part of the educational requirement.

Experience: Minimum of two years of direct experience in an educational setting, ideally a museum or other informal education setting. Experience working with children, ideally as young as two years of age.

Knowledge and Ability:

• Excellent teaching, communication, and customer skills.
• Knowledge and experience in creating and facilitating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) educational experiences, ideally in an informal education context. Must be comfortable working in all of these disciplines.
• Ability to plan workshops and programs and to work with others to make sure programs and other educational offerings are in line with PlayHouse and Park District mission and goals.
• Interest in and commitment to educational best practices in children’s museums and other relevant fields.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with a minimal degree of supervision.
• Ability to interact effectively and respectfully with adults and children of all ages. Must show interest in children and families.
• Ability to train and coach colleagues and volunteers in educational best practices.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers and the general public.
• The interest in and ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrate on ongoing commitment to learning and innovation.
• Ability to be professional, respectful, accountable, innovative, to follow safety procedures, and be equitable to both internal and external customers.

Perks:

• Part-time employees enjoy discounted recreation classes and free admission to select Park District facilities.

The Peoria Park District hires without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, protected veteran status, or on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.