Associate Curator for Education and Programs

Des Plaines History Center

Position Title: Associate Curator for Education and Programs (Part-Time)

Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Part-Time (approximately 20–25 hours per week; some evenings and weekends required)
Location: Des Plaines, Illinois

Position Overview

The Associate Curator for Education and Programs supports the Des Plaines History Center’s mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Des Plaines through engaging educational initiatives and public programming. This position develops, implements, and evaluates programs for school groups, families, and adults, while assisting with exhibit interpretation, outreach, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Education

Develop, schedule, and lead educational programs aligned with Illinois State Learning Standards for PreK–12 audiences.
Create and update lesson plans, hands-on activities, and interpretive materials for school tours and field trips.
Train and supervise volunteers and docents assisting with educational programming.
Maintain relationships with local schools, educators, and community partners to promote participation in educational offerings.
Public Programs & Events

Plan and execute community programs, lectures, workshops, and family days that highlight local history and culture.
Coordinate special events, including exhibit openings and seasonal programs, in collaboration with the Executive Director and staff.
Evaluate program effectiveness through participant feedback, attendance metrics, and follow-up surveys.
Exhibits & Interpretation

Assist with developing educational and interpretive content for exhibitions.
Conduct research on local history topics to support exhibits and programs.
Contribute to label writing, educational panels, and digital interpretive materials.
Kinder House Programs & Tours

Oversee all educational and public programming related to the 1907 Kinder House Museum.
Develop, schedule, and lead Kinder House tours for school groups, families, and adult visitors.
Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate Kinder House docents, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality interpretation.
Maintain and update Kinder House interpretive materials, scripts, and hands-on activities.
Coordinate with the Executive Director to integrate Kinder House programming into broader institutional offerings.
Ensure the Kinder House visitor experience reflects best practices in historic house interpretation, accessibility, and audience engagement.
Outreach & Communications

Represent the History Center at community events, schools, and public functions.
Collaborate with the communications team to promote programs through social media, newsletters, and press releases.
Develop partnerships with cultural organizations, libraries, and civic groups to extend educational reach.
Administrative Support

Track attendance, budget use, and supplies for educational and public programs.
Prepare monthly reports summarizing activities, outcomes, and upcoming events.
Support the overall goals of the History Center through cross-departmental collaboration.
Prepare and update written procedures related to program/event planning and implementation.
Organize/save program/event materials.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in History, Museum Studies, Education, Public History, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Minimum two years of experience in museum education, historical programming, or cultural outreach.
Demonstrated skill in developing engaging, audience-centered programs for varied age groups.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organizational ability with attention to detail and deadlines.
Comfort with public speaking and interactive teaching methods.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Apps, and familiarity with museum software (e.g., PastPerfect) preferred.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small-team environment.

Compensation

Hourly rate in the range of $20-$30 commensurate with experience. This part-time position may include occasional evenings and weekends to support public events and programs.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to:
Des Plaines History Center
c/o Executive Director
781 Pearson Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
or email to: contact@desplaineshistory.org