The Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library seeks to hire for the position of Experiential Learning & Programs Educator. We are looking for a dynamic educator who is highly skilled at designing and leading in-person learning experiences for diverse audiences.
The Education team works in partnership with the rest of the LMEC staff and our colleagues at the Boston Public Library to foster geographic perspectives on the relationships between people and places. The Education team creates programs and resources that inspire curiosity and encourage learners to make use of the collections and resources of the Center.
About this role
The Experiential Learning & Programs Educator will focus on creating in-person and synchronous digital learning experiences that enable Leventhal Center patrons to connect with collections and engage with spatial thinking. The Experiential Learning & Programs Educator will oversee K-12 guided experiences and support teacher professional development programming. They will direct partnerships within Boston Public Schools (BPS), such as longer-term engagements with BPS students and other experiential learning opportunities. They will play a key role in the development and execution of new adult programming.
Key Responsibilities
- Research and lead engaging on-site visits for K-12 students that include current exhibitions, collections materials, and an introduction to spatial thinking
- Manage on-site K-12 class visits including scheduling, correspondence with groups, and internal communications with LMEC and BPL colleagues
- Direct opportunities for BPS high school students, including summer internship programs
- Lead synchronous digital learning experiences for students across the country and classroom educators
- Provide administrative support for teacher professional development workshops and institutes, including scheduling, communications, and logistical details
- Collaborate with the Director of Education and LMEC colleagues on the expansion and development of adult programming
- Provide administrative support for on-site adult programming including coordination with guest speakers and managing logistical details
Additional Responsibilities
- Act as a liaison with BPL colleagues for the smooth and harmonious execution of Leventhal Center and co-sponsored programs
- Develop adult outreach programs for branch libraries
- Assisting with special projects at the discretion of the Director of Education, as needed
- Other responsibilities as assigned
The Leventhal Center values independent initiative in all staff roles, and we will work to ensure that the Programs & Engagement Specialist will have time to conceptualize and pilot their own creative projects related to the Center’s collections and programs.
Skills and Qualifications
- Required Bachelor’s Degree
- Required Demonstrated ability to create engaging and inclusive in-person guided experiences for students utilizing guided inquiry, related activities, and reflection
- Required Experience teaching with primary source documents or collections
- Required Proven organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining communication to multiple stakeholders
- Required Curiosity, collaborative spirit and an eagerness to learn new things in order to share that knowledge with others
- Preferred Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and expertise with some aspect of the Center’s broad portfolio of topic areas, including (for example) historical geography; urban, regional, and environmental studies; civics; science and technology studies; place-based inquiry; museum and library collections; and/or community history.
- Preferred A topical and institutional familiarity with the Boston and New England region
Compensation & Position Details
This is a salaried position, with an expected salary range of $45,000–55,000 annually according to experience and qualifications. The position is eligible for a full set of fringe benefits, including medical and dental insurance, employer contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan, life and disability insurance, and commuter benefits.
The Experiential Learning and Programs Educator will be expected to work primarily in-person at the Central Library in Copley Square, at 700 Boylston St. in Boston. After an initial transitional period, the Coordinator will be entitled to at least one day of work from a remote location per week, in accordance with Leventhal Center HR policy for salaried employees, as well as additional flexibility by approval where appropriate. We anticipate that the Experiential Learning and Programs Educator will be required to be on-site for programs, including school field trips and adult programs that may include occasional evening and weekend hours.
There is no residency requirement for this position. Leventhal Map & Education Center employees report to the independent Leventhal Map & Education Center and are not covered directly by human resource policies pertaining to the Boston Public Library or City of Boston municipal employees.
This position is subject to a CORI background check.
Desired Start Date
Ideally no later than June 1, 2024, though exceptions may be made for a slightly later start date in June for an exceptional candidate.
About the Leventhal Center
The Leventhal Map & Education Center is an independent, self-governing nonprofit organization in a long-term strategic relationship with the Boston Public Library. The Center stewards a quarter million geographic objects in the Library’s collections, and works to make them freely available to the public for research, interpretation, and engagement. Our collections range from fifteenth-century atlases to modern-day geospatial data sets. The Center creates original exhibitions hosted in its gallery space at the Central Library in Copley Square and promotes education on topics that explore the relationship between people and places.
As a mission-driven organization, the Center endorses the following values:
- Commit to integrity, excellence, respect in all our relationships, and professional library ethics (including the ALA’s Code of Ethics and the ACRL Code of Ethics for Special Collections Librarians)
- Listen to and include community voices, especially those who have been less represented
- Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization and our work with others
- Work to advance a more just and equitable society
- Keep our spaces and community services open, welcoming, and “free to all”
The Center places great value on an organizational culture in which staff members have the flexibility and openness to work with a diverse group of audiences, constituencies, and colleagues. Our work is committed to public service and to innovation that fosters positive change in the world.
To apply
Please submit the following as a single PDF.
- A cover letter of no more than two pages.
- A CV or résumé.
- A list of 3 professional references, including telephone numbers and email. One reference must be able to speak to your ability to teach K-12 students. We will inform candidates before contacting references.
Additional material will be requested from semifinalist candidates.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled. For full consideration, please submit application materials by March 25 by 12:00 pm ET.
For more information
Contact info@leventhalmap.org for more questions about this job vacancy, or visit leventhalmap.org for more information about the Leventhal Center.