Museum Educator 2 - Old Economy Village

Do you have a passion for history and enjoy bringing the past to life for the public? If so, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Museum Educator to join the team at Old Economy Village, the historic home of the Harmony Society in Ambridge (Beaver County), Pennsylvania.

This position offers a unique opportunity to engage visitors of all ages with the history of the Harmony Society, their communal way of life and their lasting impact on American social, religious, and industrial history. As the Museum Educator 2, you will play a lead role in the development, implementation, and promotion of dynamic educational programs that bring history to life as well as in the coordination of a diverse and active volunteer program. Whether presenting interactive tours, coordinating hands-on workshops, or assisting with school field trips and special events, you will be an essential part of the museum's mission to educate and inspire.

If you are passionate about history, have experience in museum education, historic interpretation, public programming, or traditional skills demonstration, and enjoy connecting with a wide range of audiences and volunteers, apply today to continue your career at Old Economy Village, one of the Commonwealth's most unique historic sites!

Each year, thousands of people from across the country and around the world visit Old Economy Village, the preserved communal settlement of the Harmony Society, to explore a unique chapter of American religious, social, and industrial history. This National Historic Landmark site encompasses multiple acres and more than a dozen historic structures, including original 19th-century buildings, a visitor center, gardens, and historic landscapes that reflect the Society's innovative communal way of life.

As the Museum Educator 2, you will be a key member of Old Economy Village's educational and interpretive team. You will take a lead role in planning, coordinating, and delivering in-person and virtual educational programs, including school programs, guided tours, lectures, workshops, community outreach initiatives, and special events, ensuring all offerings are engaging, accurate, and aligned with current professional standards for museum education and interpretation. You will also coordinate the site's guide staff, volunteer corps, and student intern programs, working collaboratively with site staff on recruitment, training, mentorship, scheduling, and evaluation in support of museum programs and daily operations.

Additionally, as the Museum Educator 2, you will play an important role in the daily operation of the historic site. This includes overseeing visitor services such as reception desk operations, visitor orientation, and point-of-sale activities to ensure a positive and welcoming visitor experience. At times, you will serve as the primary PHMC representative on site, responsible for ensuring that daily museum operations run smoothly and in accordance with established safety and operational guidelines. In this role, you will uphold industry best practices and PHMC Core Values, helping to ensure that Old Economy Village remains a dynamic, engaging, and inclusive destination for learning and discovery.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday - Saturday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Some evening and weekend work for meetings and special events will be required.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as a Museum Educator 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which would afford the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position also requires possession of a valid driver's license, which is not under suspension.
• This particular position also requires one or more years of experience in EACH of the following (experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility at a museum, historic site, park, or landmark with the mission of preserving and interpreting history):
  • Utilizing digital and computer technology in developing and conducting "virtual" and in-person public programs
  • Managing front desk and point of sale operations
  • Developing promotional and marketing materials for print and digital use
  • Researching funding sources and writing grants to support educational programming
  • Supporting and integrating living collections (gardens) into educational programming
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.