Learning Associate III | Apply by March 7, 2025
POSITION SUMMARY
The Learning Associate is responsible for delivering hands-on educational experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and exploration. This position involves direct interaction with diverse audiences, and engaging guests in critical thinking and cultural awareness. Additional responsibilities may include FAM public programs, workshops, and supporting the museum’s mission of delivering impactful educational experiences to adults. The Learning Associate will partner with FAM volunteers to deliver daily walk-in tours of the South Wing exhibitions and the FAM Mound for general audiences; provide PK–4th grade student experiences in the upcoming Family Discovery Center; lead interpretive presentations for groups ranging from 10–100; serve as museum representatives at reciprocity outreaches; check in and welcome groups on weekends; and facilitate hands-on activities or other interpretive duties in support of public programs.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
EDUCATIONAL INTEGRITY
- Maintain the educational quality of programming to ensure a safe and engaging environment for learning.
- Encourage critical thinking by asking open-ended questions and helping visitors reflect on their experiences.
- Ensures all content shared is accurate, culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate for the audience.
- Provides consistent feedback on educational activities and interpretive approaches in the spirit of continuous improvement
- Co-develops new activities, interpretive initiatives and approaches with Learning & Community Engagement department staff
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Manage tools, materials, and safety protocols to ensure proper maintenance and usage of educational equipment.
- Collect feedback from guests and identifies opportunities for continuous program improvement.
- Work collaboratively with FAM volunteers, colleagues and other museum departments to align efforts with organizational goals and initiatives.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Participates in required FAM trainings.
- Stay current with trends in museum education and cultural programming to incorporate innovative teaching practices.
- Support additional museum initiatives to promote curiosity, diversity, and discovery learning experiences.
- Learning Associates will work across departments to support a variety of educational initiatives. All associates will be cross-trained on a variety of roles and are expected to work with diverse audiences of all ages in many capacities.
- Professionally represents the museum and its mission during events and interactions. Respects and observes First American cultural protocols as required.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Early Childhood Development, Education, History, Native American Studies, Museum Studies, or a relevant field preferred.
- Two or more years of experience working or volunteering in a professional environment related to education, tourism, youth development or similar context.
- Knowledge of the histories and cultures of 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma today.
- Experience working with diverse audiences in a front-of-house role.
- Five or more years of experience as an educator or youth development specialist, particularly with cultural knowledge preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work within a team and interact with a diverse range of visitors.
- Patience, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage difficult or emotional situations.
- Proficiency with office equipment, computers and phones.
- Confidence in public speaking, including to audiences of over 100.
- Must meet and adhere to all guidelines and regulations set forth by FAM.
SUPERVISION:
The Learning Associate reports to the Director of Learning and Community Engagement.
GUIDELINES:
The Learning Associate is to adhere to the policies and ethics of FAM at all times. Employee shall wear the uniform as per policy and asks for assistance on any matters or answers to any questions not covered by this job description.
SERVICE:
The Learning Associate creates a welcoming environment by assisting visitors with questions, facilitating meaningful interactions with exhibits, and ensuring a positive, inclusive experience for all guests of First Americans Museum.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT:
Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
ETHICS:
Treats people with respect. Keeps commitments. Inspires the trust of others. Works with integrity and ethically. Upholds organizational values.
JUDGEMENT:
Displays willingness to make decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions. Includes appropriate people in the decision-making process. Makes timely decisions.
PLANNING/ORGANIZING:
Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently. Plans for additional resources. Sets goals and objectives. Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks. Develops realistic action plans.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check.
We Are FAM
One Place, Many Nations
In one place, visitors experience the collective histories of 39 distinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma today. First Americans Museum shares the cultural diversity, history, and contributions of the First Americans.
FAM Land and Peoples Acknowledgement
First Americans Museum (FAM) honors the ancestors who lived here before it was Oklahoma.
We honor the indigenous people who inhabited these lands before the United States was established. They include the Apache, Caddo, Tonkawa, and Wichita. We also honor those tribes who have a historical relationship to this region, including the Comanche, Kiowa, Osage and Quapaw. We acknowledge the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole who were once assigned the land upon which FAM resides.
Today, 39 distinct tribal nations reside in Oklahoma. We are as diverse culturally and linguistically as the nations on the European continent.
We are not in Oklahoma by choice. Many of our peoples were forcibly removed and relocated from the far reaches of the contiguous United States. After nearly 200 years, our histories and cultural lifeways are now interwoven into this landscape.
The Choctaw people call this land Okla Homma. Okla Homma means “red people”, the place we now call home.
Our National Story
Only a few tribal Nations were indigenous to what is now the State of Oklahoma. All others were removed from homelands across the contiguous U.S. to Indian Territory. In 1907 Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union. The state’s name comes from two Choctaw words “Okla” and “Homma” meaning Red People.
Our Mission
To serve as a dynamic center promoting awareness and educating the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, contributions, and resilience of the First American Nations in Oklahoma today.
Our Core Values
RESPECT
Acknowledge and celebrate the worth of all peoples.
RECIPROCITY
Promotes the mutual exchange of knowledge, ideas, and perspectives.
RELATIONSHIPS
Strengthen connections with our local, regional, and global communities.
RESPONSIBILITY
Educate the broader public and foster truth-telling.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Dexterity enough to use a keyboard and telephone; occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds; may be subject to extended periods of walking, standing, sitting, reaching, balancing, bending, kneeling, handling, feeling, climbing, and twisting; and vision, speech, and hearing sufficient to perform the essential tasks. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
First Americans Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.