Program Manager, Interpretive Training

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (“NHMLAC”) was the first museum in L.A. to open its doors 111 years ago and is poised for an exciting new era as it plans for the future. Having recently completed a new strategic framework, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County—including NHM at Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in mid-Wilshire, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall—is looking forward to new building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach, and innovative audience engagement. 

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), neurodiverse, a woman, a person with a disability, a veteran, and/or a part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply. 

The NHMLAC is seeking a Program Manager, Interpretive Training for our Education, Exhibitions, & Community Engagement department.  The Program Manager, Interpretive Training works closely with the Senior Manager, Interpretive Training to enhancing the visitor experience by supporting interpretation staff, including volunteers. This includes coaching support on interpretation, facilitating discussion groups and activities aimed towards skill growth, and providing scheduling support at the Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum. It is an exciting time as we embark on new journeys of becoming a museum of, for, and with L.A.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to: 

1. Provides an outstanding museum experience by contributing to a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for staff, volunteers, and guests, both in person and online.

2. Supports the Senior Manager, Interpretive Training by facilitating portions of Volunteer Orientations and exhibition and content trainings.

3. Supports the Senior Manager of Interpretation by providing coaching and feedback on interpretation for the Museum Educator staff, and providing onsite supervision as needed.

4. Supports and collaborates with the Volunteer Programs team by providing communication and interpretation coaching and feedback for interpretive volunteers on a daily basis, including planning and tracking their progress, preparing their daily schedules, and providing onsite supervision as needed.

5. Creates and facilitates coaching modules and/or discussion groups based on interpretation, communication, museum content, and topics related to inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) for small groups of volunteers and/or Museum Educators.

6. Continues to build knowledge around museum content and programming, communication and interpretation skills, as well as topics related to IDEA. May learn various curatorial or preparatory techniques for educational demonstration purposes.

7. Engages Museum guests in informal interpretive conversations about the collections and exhibits. Assists with seasonal exhibitions and programs including Butterfly Pavilion, Spider Pavilion, and online content.

8. Supports and collaborates cross-departmentally, including with outside organizations, for special events and initiatives, such as First Fridays, DinoFest, and Bug Fair. These collaborations may consist of offsite and online components.

This position has the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, History or Natural Science preferred, but not required. 

• One year of paid or unpaid experience in a formal or informal education setting.

• Public speaking experience and coaching experience preferred.

• Availability to work weekends and during school and national holidays.

• Integrity and the ability to carry oneself with the demeanor, decorum, and professionalism needed for the position and its interaction with others.

• Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate with others on teams, across an organization, and with external audiences.