Public Programs Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Public Programs Manager

Department: Education

Reports To: Director of Education

Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday

Job Summary: Fernbank's Public Programs Manager oversees the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of non-school group educational experiences that engage children, teens, families, and adult audiences. This position provides oversight for the Museum's public programming portfolio, supervises public program staff and seasonal camp personnel, and collaborates across departments to deliver high-quality visitor experiences that support Fernbank's educational mission.

Major Job Functions

Develop and manage curriculum, educational activities, schedules, operational procedures, and evaluation methods for assigned programs

Community Programming

Oversee the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of year-round public programming, including birthday party programs, STEAM Lab programs, and daytime drop-in programming

Collaborate with other departments to coordinate and implement select Discovery Days and Fernbank After Dark events

Summer and School Break Camps

Lead the planning and execution of annual summer camp sessions, including hiring, training and managing Summer Camp Counselors

Lead the planning and execution of school break camps

Staff Management

Hire, train, and manage part-time Exhibit Facilitators

Supervise, coach, and support the Public Programs Coordinator

Hire and supervise interns to provide mentorship and professional development in assigned program areas

Other

Work with the Director of Education and other members of the Education team to develop an annual operating budget

Maintain records and data related to all areas of program oversight

Occasionally serve as content lead for Fernbank’s temporary exhibits, including some press appearances and communications as well as auxiliary content creation

Other projects and duties, as assigned, to support the goals and mission of the Education Department and the Museum

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree or higher in a STEAM field, education, natural history, or museum studies

Minimum 2 years’ experience in science education – formal or informal – including program coordination and development

Minimum 2 years' supervisory experience

Weekend availability required plus some holiday and evening work as needed

Skills & Attributes

Must enjoy working with people, especially children

Flexible disposition, able to make decisions and solve problems with a positive attitude in quickly changing situations

Self-starter, able to work independently and see projects through to completion

Comfortable learning to work with educational animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and some terrestrial invertebrates

Excellent organization and communication skills, able to manage multiple projects and tasks

Part-time