Department
 

ISAC: Public Programs

About the Department
 

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures was founded in 1919 by James Henry Breasted with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller Jr., and was originally envisaged as a research laboratory for the investigation of the early human career that would trace humankind’s progress from the most ancient days of West Asia and North Africa. The goal of the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is to be the world’s leading center for the study of the ancient civilizations of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and significant empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship.

The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum was opened to the public in 1931. The majority of ISAC's collections are from its expeditions in West Asia and North Africa during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A major reinstallation of the Museum, including the construction of a climate-controlled wing for housing collections and archives, took place in the 1990s and early 2000s. A complete renovation of the Museum was completed in 2019 in celebration of ISAC's centennial. The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures is a unit within the University of Chicago and the name of the corporation is 'The University of Chicago.' The corporation was originally incorporated on September 10, 1890.

Job Summary
 

The Youth and Family Education Coordinator performs a range of professional activities in the development and implementation of ISAC’s public education outreach programs. This role manages the scheduling of all school and homeschool group visits to ISAC and the museum and builds partnerships with local schools and organizations to grow our field trip and community outreach programs as they apply to children and students through grade 12 and their families.

The Youth and Family Education Coordinator works with faculty and graduate students to create age-appropriate lesson plans that balance public accessibility with a high standard of research-based content. This position also includes recruitment, supervision, and training of UChicago student workers about ISAC’s collection and the archaeology of ancient West Asia and North Africa.

The coordinator works with ISAC’s docent core and student educators manage program staffing and to ensure current education standards are met. In addition, the coordinator represents ISAC by participating in and establishing collaborative partnerships with national, state, and local organizations as well as important university partnerships with other on-campus arts organizations and departments including, but not limited to, the Office of Civic Engagement and Alumni relations.

Responsibilities

Works collaboratively within the education and programming team to manage all aspects of ISAC’s youth and family engagement, including ISAC’s school and homeschool field trip program and regular public family targeted programming. 

Manages the scheduling, registrations, and financial record-keeping for all tours, field trip programs, and community visits.

Communicates professionally with participants before, during and after programs to provide excellent customer service.

Recruit, train, and supervise student workers who run field trip programs and family programs.

Manages student and docent K-12 educator schedules and maintain department program and gallery assets.

Evaluates programs and assets and adjust them as necessary to meet clear educational goals.

Develop, market, and implement large attendance events and monthly family programs (such as Mummies Night, Nowruz, and Ancient Game Day) for a range of audiences with special consideration for including underserved communities.

Forms partnerships with schools and community organizations and groups that have a natural affinity to the ISAC collections.

Represents ISAC by participating in and establishing collaborative partnerships with national, state, and local organizations as well as important university partnerships with the Amplify Collective partnership organized by UChicago Arts, UChicago Laboratory Schools, UChicago Charter School, Smart Museum of Art, Court Theatre, Office of Civic Engagement and Alumni Relations.

Under the direction of senior leadership, develops programs and relationships to advance program initiatives.

Uses knowledge of ISAC’s mission and values to assess and evaluate current and new programs and recommends opportunities for collaboration with partners.

Prepares program communications, including creating and coordinating dissemination of program materials.

Contributes youth- and family-focused content to ISAC’s social media and public printed material.

May assist with fundraising efforts, including writing grant proposals.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

2+ years in-classroom education or 2+ years working with of youth and family audiences developing and executing educational programming at museum or other arts organization.

2+ years of people management experience, including scheduling and training employees.

Experience with event planning or public program planning and day-of logistics.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Ability to develop programs, curricula, lesson plans and assessment tools.

Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and the Adobe Creative Suite.

Preferred Competencies

Familiarity with and connections in local Chicago neighborhoods and area schools and districts, community centers, and cultural institutions.

A passion for working with children and inspiring young people to learn more about history, archaeology, and ancient cultures.

Strong writing skills.

Working Conditions

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Ability to coordinate multiple logistics during public events.

Interpersonal skills.

Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Academic Affairs

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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