Education Manager

About the DC History Center

Established in 1894 and located at the Carnegie Library in Downtown, the DC History Center is a community-supported nonprofit organization, which deepens understanding of our city’s past to connect, empower, and inspire. It collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation's capital through research and scholarship, adult programs, youth education, and exhibits. We seek to do this work as a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters curiosity and nurtures civic engagement to strengthen the District for all. For more information visit dchistory.org.

Position Summary

This newly created position is responsible for planning, designing, and executing K-12 education programs, reporting to the deputy director. This role works in close collaboration with the research services librarian and the adult programs manager, who also report to the deputy director. The DC History Center is operated by a small full-time staff of 7, who collaborate with the Board of Trustees, students, and volunteers. 

This position provides educator and student audiences with high-quality opportunities that deepen understanding of our city’s past, foster curiosity and lifelong learning, and encourage civic participation. The education manager develops and delivers in-person and virtual educational programs that appeal to students, support teachers, and connect with diverse communities in all eight wards. 

Primary Responsibilities

Youth Education Programs (65%)

• Leverage the DC History Center’s exhibits, archival collections, library, and Washington History journal to create and execute high-quality, engaging, and scalable programs and educational activities online and in-person. Use lessons learned to continue to build out the K-12 programs and set annual strategy for K-12 youth education programs, reflecting DEIA principles.

• Support 3rd and 12th grade teachers in developing lesson plans related to neighborhood history and Home Rule and DC Statehood respectively. In addition, align educational programs with Common Core and DC education standards to encourage teachers to incorporate local history in all grades.

• Develop long-term relationships with the DC Public School system; public, charter, and private schools; and teachers to support achieving program goals.

• Convene, lead, and engage the DC History Center’s Teacher Advisory Group.

• Manage all in-person and virtual program logistics (including the online platform used to deliver content for virtual events), and day-of details for youth education programs. 

• In collaboration with research & scholarship team, manage all communication with K-12 teachers seeking DC History Center resources, including Kiplinger Research Library class visit requests.

• Represent DC History Center in educational partnerships including the DC Declaration of Learning professional development program, the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative, National History Day, and teacher learning events held by community partners, such as Teaching for Change.

• Assess programmatic outcomes and utilize lessons learned to improve programs. 

• Shape education budget and support fundraising.

DC History Conference (15%)

• Identify achievable and impactful opportunities for K-12 educators and students to participate in the DC History Conference.

• Lead effort to communicate with and engage K-12 educators and students as attendees at the DC History Conference.

• Attend DC History Conference planning committee meetings and community committee meetings, working with committee members to achieve goals.

Community Outreach (10%)

• In support of youth education and the DC History Conference, seek active short-term and long-term partnerships with community-based organizations in all eight Wards.

• Collaborate with all DC History Center team members to identify priority partners and strengthen these relationships.

• Engage with the DC History Center’s advisory groups, including the Community Council, to seek resources and partnerships that support programmatic goals.

General (10%)

• Assist with “all hands” events, such as DC History Center fundraising events.

• Occasionally support the program manager and research services librarian with programming if needed.

• Attend staff meetings.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

The education manager will be an outstanding communicator, a detail-oriented and highly organized professional, and a flexible, collaborative team player. They will demonstrate initiative and a high level of self-direction in ensuring seamless student-and-teacher programming from start to finish. Familiarity with, and enthusiasm for sharing the culture, history, and diversity of our city will be a strong plus.

• Bachelor’s degree with experience in either youth education, museums, archives, libraries, or a related humanities field with one or more of the following:

  • 2+ years of experience coordinating educational programs in museums, archives, libraries, or a related humanities field, including experience aligning content to standards and best practices in social studies education

  • 2+ years of experience with K-12 education, including curriculum development and lesson planning using object-based learning; DC schools preferred.

  • Master’s degree in education, history, museum studies, library science or related field with practical experience in K-12 education

• Experience, skills, or aptitude with digital education, virtual engagement platforms, and/or multi-modal and digital storytelling, such as video, photography, audio, and text

• Strong interest in public history, with focus on local DC history

• Outstanding written communication and verbal communication skills.

• Track record of successful project management.

• Adept at handling multiple priorities and maintaining high productivity with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Availability for some evening and weekend work required.

Compensation & Benefits

Starting salary $50,000 - $60,000 depending on experience. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision; life and disability insurance; and 403(b) plan with employer match. Central downtown location easily accessible from all Metro lines.