Museum Educator

Museum Educator

Job Description

History San José (HSJ), the largest regional history museum in Northern California, is

seeking an individual to take on the role of Museum Educator. Are you an engaging

storyteller with a passion for history? Do you have a thirst for knowledge and a flair for

interacting with school children and museum audiences of all ages?

History San José (HSJ) is invested in producing high-quality, hands-on programs for

students, families, and museum audiences and is seeking an energetic and dedicated

Museum Educator. The Museum Educator will facilitate educational experiences at our

historic sites (History Park in Kelley Park, the Gonzales/Peralta Adobe-Fallon House

Historic Site in downtown San Jose), and online. The person will also support educational

activities during public programs and facilitate walking tours of HSJ’s historic sites. The

ideal candidate will have work experience in formal and informal educational spaces

like museums, theaters, community centers, and/or after-school programs.

About History San José

History San José is the largest regional history museum in Northern California and

manages 31 historic structures at two locations: History Park and the Gonzales/Peralta

Adobe-Fallon House Historic Site. Our mission is to preserve and enrich Santa Clara

Valley’s dynamic history through our exhibitions, collections, and hands-on programs

and events. Our school programs annually serve 11,000 students and their teachers,

aligning with the Common Core State Standards and California’s History-Social Science

Content Standards. Topics addressed in our school programs include, but are not

limited to, the Spanish colonial and Mexican rancho periods, American westward

migration, immigration, technology, labor, and agriculture.

Structure

● Museum Educators report directly to the Manager of Education

Duties and Responsibilities

The Museum Educator primarily facilitates school programs that run from September to

June and offers tours and public programs that occur on select weekends throughout

the year. In the summertime, the Museum Educator will also play a lead role in

providing our Time Traveler’s Summer Camp. 

Major duties include:

● Fostering educational experiences for K-12 school groups across all HSJ sites and

online

● Organizing, handling, and maintaining education program supplies and

equipment

● Facilitating guided walking tours of HSJ sites at History Park and the

Gonzales/Peralta Adobe-Fallon House Historic Site

● Staffing and preparing elements of public programs or outreach when needed

(some experiences occur on weekends and/or evenings)

● Staffing shifts at HSJ’s week-long day-time summer camps.

● Attending regular team meetings and training sessions to learn about teaching in

a museum setting and techniques used at History San José

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Candidates should have:

● Some college credits or a college degree in history, museum studies, liberal arts,

and/or education

● Working experience in formal and informal educational settings like museums,

theaters, community centers, and/or after-school programs

● Familiarity with Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and/or Matterport

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills

● Flexible work schedule for occasional weekend and/or weeknight activities

Ideal candidates:

● Are reliable and committed to their position, the education team, and the

organization’s mission

● Are active listeners with excellent public speaking skills

● Utilize a student-centered approach to learning and effectively meet the needs

of diverse audiences

● Are fluent in one or more non-English languages; Spanish and Vietnamese are

particularly valuable

● Are self-reflective and eager to continuously improve their knowledge and skills

● Are flexible and can perform other duties and tasks as assigned/needed.

Hours, Salary & Benefits

● Reports to the Manager of Education;

● Classification: Non-exempt, part-time employee;

● 15 - 22 hours per week; weekday mornings (8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a 30 minute

unpaid break) and some weekends

● Hourly rate: $21 per hour

● Benefits per HSJ Personnel Policies

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to:

Michelle Duncan

Director of Operations

mduncan@historysanjose.org