Education Specialist - Museum jobs in New Orleans, LA

The Veteran & Military Engagement Specialist develops, manages, and evaluates veteran and military focused programming and events at The National WWII Museum and throughout the Greater New Orleans area, the state, and nation. This position works as a part of the Education and Access team under the direction of the Director of Public Engagement to design and develop programs and resources for WWII and modern conflict veterans, active duty servicemembers, military families, and Gold Star families, including commemorations, events, and other engaging programming. The Veteran & Military Engagement Specialist will establish and cultivate meaningful relationships and partnerships on behalf of the Museum to engage local, regional, and national veteran and military organizations to further the Museum’s reach and mission through intentional programming and outreach.

Responsibilities:

• Lead all efforts related to WWII veteran visits to the Museum. This includes sourcing, communicating with veterans and family, and managing the day-to-day of their visits for general Museum visitation, large-scale events, special commemorations, and more.

• Manage the Soaring Valor partnership for visiting WWII veterans across the nation with the Gary Sinise Foundation to include:

  • Oversee Soaring Valor trip planning, coordination, and execution for groups and individuals, which averages 4-6 large group trips and dozens of individual trips each year.
  • Maintain a strong relationship with the Gary Sinise Foundation to ensure continued support and successful coordination of trips
  • Expand and identify additional initiatives to engage students and veterans of other wars in future GSF programs.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute commemorative programs to include patriotic commemorations and WWII anniversaries. Work collaboratively across departments at the Museum and with community partners to ensure meaningful commemorations and robust programming to include major and minor anniversaries.
• Serve as a liaison for military affairs across the organization and lead outreach efforts to local and national military and veteran communities to include, but is not limited to, Naval Air Station Belle Chasse, Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee, the VA, American Legion and VFW. This also includes assisting the Director of Public Engagement in the management of the Museum’s Military Advisory Committee.
• Reach new military and veteran audiences through the continued development, implementation and evaluation of innovative veteran and military focused programming through collaboration with a variety of community partners that compliment program initiatives and educational goals.
• Work with the Sales and Event Rentals team to serve as an entry point for military units and individuals wishing to utilize the museum for promotions, retirements, ceremonies, events and meetings.
• Develop and implement evaluation tools to measure, interpret, and analyze veteran and military programs; assess the effectiveness and impact of programs, partnerships, and projects and make changes as necessary.
• Represent the Museum and Education Department at veteran and military focused meetings, programs, and events.
• Work closely with staff across the Museum on implementation of programs and WWII veteran visits, including staff in Security, Operations, Exhibitions, Visitor Services, Membership, Retail, and Finance.
• Ensure veteran and military audiences are included in Education Department initiatives and upcoming exhibitions.
• Manage the Soaring Valor partnership for visiting WWII veterans across the nation with the Gary Sinise Foundation to include:
• Oversee Soaring Valor trip planning, coordination, and execution for groups and individuals, which averages 4-6 large group trips and dozens of individual trips each year.
• Maintain a strong relationship with the Gary Sinise Foundation to ensure continued support and successful coordination of trips
• Expand and identify additional initiatives to engage students and veterans of other wars in future GSF programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, history, or related field and at least three years’ experience working in a museum, public history program or other educational environment planning programs; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing a wide variety of informal, inclusive education programs including conception, planning, and communicating among multiple departments, delivery and evaluation for diverse audiences.

• Experience in planning and management of large group travel, particularly for older travelers.

• Experience with and understanding of veteran and military communities and organizations.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills as well as strong organizational skills.

• An advocate with a passion for creative thinking.

• Willingness to work evenings and some weekends.

• Willingness to travel regionally, and occasionally nationally, in support of the Museum’s public engagement and outreach efforts.

• Ability to push, pull, and lift weights up to 50 pounds. May require prolonged sitting, standing and/or walking during which time objects are transported. May require bending, squatting, or reaching and occasional use of equipment.